Jon Taffer to Headline 2026 Texas Restaurant Show

Taffer’s session at the Henry B. Gonzalez Convention Center will focus on his "Reaction Management" strategy, a methodology he has utilized for decades to diagnose and rectify failing hospitality businesses. Drawing from 40 years of industry experience, he intends to provide local operators with practical, systems-based approaches to scaling restaurant operations in a volatile economic climate.

The expansion of Taffer’s Tavern into Texas is being executed in partnership with Craveworthy Brands, a platform company that manages over 20 concepts. According to Craveworthy CEO Gregg Majewski, the brand is prioritizing Texas due to its robust population growth and a deep local pool of experienced restaurant operators. The tavern concept, which debuted in Atlanta in 2020, emphasizes a "fast-craft" cocktail program and low-overhead design, aiming to balance traditional pub comfort with modern technological efficiency.

Following the keynote, Taffer and the Craveworthy team will remain on-site at the event to meet with potential multi-unit franchisees. The company is actively scouting locations across Houston, San Antonio, and other key urban centers to establish a footprint in a state where the bar and tavern industry has seen significant valuation growth.