HARLINGEN — Wait times for Aspen Creek Grill just became a little longer.
An executive with the full-service casual restaurant chain said yesterday plans for a new location near Bass Pro Shops have been delayed.
Privately held Aspen Creek is a spinoff chain once owned by Texas Roadhouse. The company has eight restaurants, including locations in San Antonio, Tyler, Amarillo, Irving and Lubbock.
“It’s just on hold for now,” said Randy Crawford, who previously managed restaurants from Laredo to Brownsville, and now is a managing partner with Aspen Creek Grill.
“We haven’t determined exactly when we’re going to be able to get down to the Valley,” Crawford added.
Noblesville, Ind.-based Aspen Grill has already purchased property next to the new Hooters restaurant near Bass Pro, and the two restaurants share signage at the site.
“We look forward to getting down to the Valley but at this time, as far as the company is structured, we have to make sure it’s the right time so we can take care of our guests the right way,” Crawford said.
The Harlingen location is expected to employ about 130 people once it opens.
In a previous interview, Crawford said Aspen Grill was high on Texas as a location for its restaurants, saying Texans were regular restaurant-goers and good customers, and that staff openings were easy to fill with eager and competent workers.
