Made from Scratch: The Legendary Success Story of Texas Roadhouse

An unconventional success story goes under the microscope in this mixed-bag business memoir from Taylor, founder of the Texas Roadhouse restaurant chain. Taylor writes of the lessons he learned during his collegiate running career (which was marked by a lack of “natural speed or talent”) and how his time working at discos, night clubs, and major chains informed his “down-to-earth, not... too impressed with [oneself]” leadership approach ahead of the 1992 launch of Texas Roadhouse. (Taylor notes it took “seven years of rejection, more than one hundred presentations to potential investors” before he got the backing he needed.) His candid voice is the greatest strength—and weakness—here: he pairs a cheerful mindset (“Be willing to laugh at yourself”) with groan-worthy jokes (“I am like a retired doctor—no ‘patience’ ”). The business advice collected at the end of most chapters as “Made-from-Scratch Sides (What I Learned),” such as getting an honest mentor and being team-focused, can feel a bit tacked on, and the minutiae of Texas Roadhouse’s annual conferences will likely only be of real interest to Roadhouse regulars. Taylor’s one-of-a-kind character is undoubtedly the secret sauce, but it’s not quite enough on its own to make a winning recipe. (Aug.)