Bellefontaine resident DJ Casey, center, greets friends while waiting for a to-go meal at the Texas Roadhouse restaurant in Marysville on Tuesday, March 26. Casey was one of almost 1,500 people to show up for supper in support of those hurt by the March 14 tornado. In fact, 20 Ohio Texas Roadhouse locations pledged 100 percent of their Tuesday profits to the Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund, resulting in about $54,600 in donations. (EXAMINER PHOTO | SHARYN KOPF)
UPDATE: United Way of Logan County representatives have reported a revised total of $54,600 for the Texas Roadhouse “Dine to donate” fundraiser for the Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund.
The announcement hit social media over the weekend: five Ohio Texas Roadhouse restaurants would donate 100 percent of their profits from Tuesday, March 26, to the Indian Lake Tornado Relief Fund. By the morning of the fundraiser, 20 locations across the state were involved.
And Ohio residents responded.
According to Michael Ransom, managing partner at the Marysville Texas Roadhouse, the 15 restaurants he gathered numbers from will give $38,825.76 to the relief fund.
Before the Marysville restaurant, which had 62 staff members on the clock throughout the day, opened its doors at 3 p.m., people were lined up around the building. Hungry patrons parked their cars in at least two other nearby lots.
Over the course of the day, the restaurant served 1,466 people, which is comparable to a typical Saturday night’s business. Ransom described that kind of response on a Tuesday to help fellow Ohioans as “absolutely freaking amazing.”
Despite the crowds and a wait of close to two hours, customers and staff were upbeat and good-natured.
“Nobody was upset. Nobody was angry. Nobody cared about the wait,” Ransom said. “They just wanted to come and show their support.”