When a restaurant that has created decades of memories suddenly disappears, it’s hard not to take it personally or to feel like a piece of the community is fading with it.
Perhaps because the state was once an independent republic, Texans have long taken pride in everything from their country roots to their local businesses. That deep sense of identity and loyalty may explain why restaurant closures in Texas often hit communities especially hard.
That cultural pride is reflected in the state’s massive food scene. Texas restaurant and foodservice sales generate $137.8 billion annually, according to the National Restaurant Association.
Known for its unmistakable smell of mesquite-wood coals, cooked-to-order beef patties, and freshly baked egg buns, Becks Prime has been a Texas staple since opening its first location on Kirby Drive in Houston in 1985. The restaurant quickly became a favorite among local families, leading it to expand across the Houston area and eventually beyond city limits with the opening of a Dallas location to meet growing demand.
However, one of those longtime locations is now slated for permanent closure.
Becks Prime confirms restaurant closure
Becks Prime confirmed on its Instagram and Facebook accounts that it will permanently close its Wilcrest restaurant location at 11000 Westheimer Rd. on Feb. 8 at 4 p.m., bringing an end to the restaurant’s 35-year presence in the neighborhood.
“For 35 years, this restaurant has been part of your routines and part of our story,” said Becks Prime in the social media posts. “We’ve watched families grow up here, met regulars who feel like friends, and shared countless everyday moments that mean more to us than we can say. We are grateful to everyone who walked through those doors and chose to spend time with us.”
“We’re so sad to be losing this longtime Westchase area staple,” commented a longtime customer on Facebook.
“We love you and have enjoyed many a meal. Don’t worry though we’ll drive to where you are. Best burger in town!,” commented a loyal client on Instagram.
In the announcement, the company also said that all the affected employees have been offered positions at other restaurant locations.
Despite the Wilcrest closure, Becks Prime continues to operate eight locations across the Houston area and one in Dallas, according to its website.
Remaining Becks Prime locations
- Augusta: 2615 Augusta Dr., Houston, TX 77057
- Dairy Ashford: 1202 Dairy Ashford, Houston, TX 77079
- Kirby: 2902 Kirby Dr., Houston, TX 77098
- Memorial Park: 1001 E. Memorial Loop Dr., Houston, TX 77007
- Meyerland Plaza: 708 Meyerland Plaza Mall, Houston, TX 77096
- Sugar Land: 1822 Highway 6 S., Sugar Land, TX 77478
- The Woodlands: 2120 Buckthorne Place, The Woodlands, TX 77380
- Katy: 210 W. Grand Parkway S., Katy, TX 77494
- Forest Lane: 5931 Forest Ln., Dallas, TX 75230
The owners of Becks Prime did not disclose the specific reasons behind the Wilcrest closure. However, according to a commercial real estate listing on LoopNet, the property has been on the market since July 24, 2025.
Image Source: Getty Images/Vlad Busuioc
Restaurant industry challenges across the country
The restaurant industry is among the most difficult sectors to navigate. The National Restaurant Association estimates its failure rate at approximately 30%, with around 17% of restaurants closing within their first year.
Becks Prime’s shutdown reflects broader challenges facing the industry, as rising costs and shifting consumer habits have driven thousands of closures nationwide.
Inflation has played a significant role. Prices for food away from home climbed 3.7% in the 12 months ending September 2025, according to recent U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
In the past five years, food and labor costs for the average restaurant have each increased by about 35%, according to the National Restaurant Association. To offset those surges, menu prices rose an average of 31% between February 2020 and April 2025, according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
“If debt is a piece of the profit puzzle, food costs are another. In fact, they appear to be an even bigger, more widespread concern,” said QSR and FSR Magazines Editorial Director Danny Klein.
As prices rise, customer traffic declined 1% across the foodservice industry during the quarter ending June 2025, according to Circana.
“This poses a significant challenge for restaurants, as home-cooked meals directly substitute demand for dining establishments, translating to reduced revenues and declines in customer traffic,” said Coresight Research analyst Sujeet Naik.
More Restaurant Closures:
- 30-year-old pasta chain announces 35 restaurant closures in 2026
- 53-year-old restaurant chain is quietly closing locations nationwide
- 21-year-old fast-food chain is closing 20 restaurants amid comeback
Due in large part to softer sales and traffic levels, the National Restaurant Association’s Restaurant Performance Index (RPI) fell 0.8% in December 2025 compared to the previous month, the lowest reading since March.
The Current Situation Index, which tracks current trends in four industry indicators, dropped 1% to 98.3 during the same period, marking the sixth consecutive month the index remained below 100, signaling contraction.
“If you combine restaurant margins being under pressure with a tenuous financial situation, all you need is one or two things to go wrong,” said Bank of America Restaurants Senior Analyst Sara Senatore to Time Magazine.
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