Draft:P. Terry's

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 corner of South Lamar and Barton Springs in Austin. All P. Terry's locations are independently owned and operated by the original founders. As of now, 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. The menu emphasizes simplicity and affordability, providing high-quality, all-natural ingredients.

The restaurant prides itself on all-natural, made-to-order burgers free from hormones or antibiotics, offered at competitive prices. They prioritize freshness by hand-cutting fries daily from Idaho Burbank potatoes cooked in 100% canola oil. Beverages include freshly squeezed OJ, lemonade, and handspun milkshakes, highlighting their commitment to quality. Baked goods are made from scratch daily, and their veggie burgers are crafted in-house.

P. Terry's is renowned for its commitment to sustainable practices, exemplified by its rigorous recycling efforts encompassing paper and cardboard at each location. The restaurant chain is recognized for its affordability, with the majority of menu items priced below $5. In a demonstration of their commitment to their workforce, P. Terry's pays its employees above minimum wage, provides English classes for Spanish-speaking staff, and extends interest-free loans to employees seeking housing or transportation. This ethos underscores their belief in the reciprocal benefits of generosity.

The restaurant actively contributes to the community through Giving Back Days by donating all profits from designated Saturdays to selected charities that benefit those in need. As of July 2024, they have donated over $1,683,469 with the support of their patrons.

In 2018, P. Terry's launched Taco Ranch, a taco drive-thru concept which closed in fall 2023. 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, during which the chain expanded to 32 locations and entered the San Antonio market.