P. Terry's is an American regional fast-food restaurant chain headquartered in Austin, Texas, specializing in hamburgers. Founded by Kathy and Patrick Terry, the first restaurant opened on July 5, 2005, at the intersection of South Lamar Boulevard and Barton Springs Road in Austin[1]. All P. Terry's locations are independently owned and operated by the original founders. As of October 2024, there are over 30 stores across Central Texas. The restaurants vary in configuration, offering dine-in/drive-thru and drive-thru only options. Their menu typically features beef burgers, chicken burgers, veggie burgers, fries, and milkshakes.

The Terrys drew inspiration from classic burger stands of the ‘50s and ‘60s, known for small-town hospitality. Their buildings reflect the warm, inviting style of the ‘50s googie architecture movement. The primary inspiration in particular was a fifties-style drive-in from Patrick's hometown of Abilene, Texas called Mack Eplen's Drivateria.[2] The menu emphasizes simplicity and affordability, providing high-quality, all-natural ingredients.

P. Terry's is committed to offering all-natural, made-to-order burgers that are free from hormones and antibiotics, all at competitive prices. The chain emphasizes freshness by hand-cutting fries daily from Idaho Burbank potatoes, which are cooked in 100% canola oil.[2] Beverages include freshly squeezed orange juice, lemonade, and handspun milkshakes, reflecting the chain's dedication to quality. Additionally, baked goods are made from scratch daily, and the veggie burgers are crafted in-house.

The restaurant chain is recognized for its commitment to sustainable practices, which include rigorous recycling efforts for paper and cardboard at each location. P. Terry's is also noted for its affordability, with the majority of menu items priced below $5. The chain demonstrates its commitment to employee welfare by paying wages above the minimum, offering English classes for Spanish-speaking staff, and providing interest-free loans to employees seeking housing or transportation. This ethos underscores the chain's belief in the reciprocal benefits of generosity.[3]

P. Terry's actively contributes to the community through "Giving Back Days," during which all profits from designated Saturdays are donated to selected charities that assist those in need. As of July 2024, the chain has donated over $1,683,469 with the support of its patrons.[4]

In 2018, P. Terry's launched Taco Ranch, a taco drive-thru concept which closed in fall 2023. [5] Staff were offered transfers to P. Terry's locations to ensure job security. The Oak Hill Taco Ranch location was sub-leased to Cabo Bob's, an Austin-born chain, while the campus location became another P. Terry's in 2019.

In 2019, Patrick Terry stepped down as CEO as the chain planned expansion beyond Austin. In December 2023, Patrick Terry resumed the CEO role after Todd Coerver's two-year tenure[6], during which the chain expanded to 32 locations and entered the San Antonio market.

References

edit
  1. ^ Forbes, Paula (2020-08-28). "P. Terry's is on the Cusp of Becoming Texas Fast-Food Royalty". Austin Monthly Magazine. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  2. ^ a b Gallaga, Omar L. (2021-03-09). "Will P. Terry's Win Over the Rest of Texas?". Texas Monthly. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  3. ^ Partridge, Dale (May 5, 2015). People Over Profit: Break the System, Live with Purpose, Be More Successful. HarperCollins Leadership. pp. 127–128. ISBN 9780718021757.{{cite book}}: CS1 maint: date and year (link)
  4. ^ Villalpando, Nicole. "When is P. Terry's Giving Back Day for Season for Caring? Everything you need to know". Austin American-Statesman. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  5. ^ Chaudhury, Nadia (2023-10-19). "P. Terry's Is Closing Its Taco Drive-Thru Spin-Off". Eater Austin. Retrieved 2024-07-09.
  6. ^ "CEO of P. Terry's Burger Stand steps down". kvue.com. 2023-12-11. Retrieved 2024-07-09.