Community
BY ELLE BENT
Fast-casual booms in Dripping Springs
What’s happening
On May 10, Panda Express opened in the Ledgestone development, located across from the Belterra shopping center off Hwy. 290. The fast food chain originated in California and created 50 jobs in Dripping Springs, according to a news release. Chipotle Mexican Grill, a national chain of fast casual restaurants, joined the same development at the end of 2023, offering bowls and burritos. Closer to home, Austin-based fast-casual restau- rants P. Terry’s and Mighty Fine Burgers Fries & Shakes, as well as Texas-based chain Mr. Gatti’s Pizza, brought locations to the city. Dripping Springs locals of 20 years Michael and Christie Sanders debuted a location of HTeaO in Ledgestone last year, offering tea to-go.
Additionally, city officials were prompted to enact a 10-month development moratorium, or a pause on developments, over lack of wastewater capacity from November 2021-September 2022. Throughout all of the growth in Dripping Springs, and the Central Texas region as a whole, local and national businesses have been taking the opportunity to break into the area with an array of dining options. Many of the new additions to the city are located in the expanding Ledgestone development and Belterra Village.
As Dripping Springs grows, residents are beginning to see new businesses open along Hwy. 290, including an influx of chain, fast-food and fast-casual restaurants. The population in Dripping Springs increased by 43.3% from 2020 to 2022, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Additionally, the population nearly doubled from 2016 to 2021, with the median household income increasing by 62%. This has had ripple effects throughout the community like overcapacity campuses at the local school district, Dripping Springs ISD.
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Dripping Springs
The bottom line
LEDGE STONE DR.
290
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At least six fast-food and fast-casual restaurants opened in 2023, offering more dining options and creating more than 100 jobs for residents. In 2024, Dripping Springs will see even more chains and drive-thrus join the community, including 7 Brew and Dutch Bros. Coffee. Austin-based chain Amy’s Ice Creams and Playa Bowls will also debut in the Ledgestone development later this year.
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290
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DRIFTING WIND RUN
HARGRAVES DR.
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Key:
Open
Coming soon
1 Chipotle Mexican Grill 2 HTeaO 3 Mighty Fine Burgers Fries & Shakes
4 Mr. Gatti’s Pizza 5 Panda Express 6 P. Terry’s 7 7 Brew Coffee
8 Amy’s Ice Creams 9 Dutch Bros. Coffee 10 Playa Bowls
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