KINGMAN, Ariz. – Texas Roadhouse is interested in building and operating a new restaurant just off Interstate 40 in Kingman. The national chain is eyeing a 3.3-acre Mohave County-owned parcel along Beverly Avenue, just west of the Kingman District Library.
The Board of Supervisors has scheduled a Nov. 16 public auction for the property, with a minim bid purchase requirement of $1.26 million.
The City of Kingman previously expressed interest in acquiring the same property for use as a hub, or headquarters, for its Kingman Area Regional Transit program. Board Chairman Travis Lingenfelter said other options were explored once the City decided it was no longer interested in the parcel.
“The county has been working with the City of Kingman Economic Development folks on a big-name brand restaurant,” Lingenfelter said. “Through ongoing economic development coordination with the City and its retail consultant, a potential private development opportunity was brought to the County.”
Supervisor Don Martin clarified that the prospective property purchaser is Texas Roadhouse (TR).
Supervisor Ron Gould questioned the legality of the auction, particularly the specificity of the bids. Prospective bidders, for example, must submit a conceptual site plan demonstrating intent to construct a minimum 7,750 sq. ft. full service-sit down restaurant that has no less than 800 locations.
“It seems like this limits who can bid on this property,” Gould said. He noted the county has a responsibility to put its asset to highest and best use and that orchestrating a sale to a particular prospect may not achieve that obligation.
“We’ve done this before, usually not to this level of specificity,” responded deputy county attorney Will Davis. “We’ve looked through case law relating to this, and there is nothing from the Court of Appeals or the Supreme Court that says ‘no’.”
Its website said the first TR opened in Clarksville, Indiana in 1993. It said the company motto is: legendary food, legendary service.
“Legendary means hand-cut steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, made-from-scratch sides, ice-cold beer, and of course, our irresistible fresh-baked bread,” the website said.
