The Pappas family has officially taken over another restaurant chain. One year after winning a bidding war, Pappas Restaurants, Inc. has added the previously bankrupt Tex-Mex chain, On the Border Mexican Grill & Cantina, to its lineup of dining concepts.
The Houston-based hospitality group made the announcement Friday, saying the chain has “undergone a sweeping menu overhaul rooted in the same culinary standards that have defined the Pappas name across Texas for decades.”
‘Two iconic names. One legendary Tex-Mex legacy’
“On The Border has been woven into the fabric of Texas dining for decades, a place where generations of guests have gathered, celebrated and returned for the Tex-Mex they love. Now, it’s part of our family,” said Pappas Restaurants Chief Marketing Officer Christina Pappas.
“This brand carries a deep heritage and a loyal community that we are proud to welcome to the Pappas family. We’re delighted to honor that history with the quality and hospitality that Pappas is known for, while continuing to evolve the brand for loyal guests, both old and new.”
On The Border, founded in 1982, filed for bankruptcy in March 2025, Chron previously reported. The chain, which had been under several different hospitality groups during its tenure, was most recently under Argonne Capital Group of Atlanta.
In the bankruptcy filings, the chain’s chief restructuring officer Jonathan Tibus cited “a difficult macroeconomic environment, labor shortages, an underperforming restaurant footprint and creditor enforcement actions” as reasons for the move, according to Franchise Times.
Two months later, Pappas Restaurants, Inc. shared that they had bought out the struggling chain restaurant, teasing plans to upgrade On the Border’s operations, menu and guest services.
In its recent announcement, the restaurant group didn’t elaborate on what specific changes they made with its newly acquired chain but said their team has enhanced food quality, strengthened operations and elevated the overall guest experience.