MAKE A RESERVATION AT COLTON'S STEAK HOUSE & GRILL IN WEST PLAINS
Colton's Steak House history stretches back to 1996, when four former buffet owners looked at a changing restaurant landscape and decided to build something better. Founded in Conway, Arkansas, Colton's was never meant to be just another chain. It was built to be the kind of place a small town actually needs: a spot where families gather, steaks are hand-cut fresh, and the food is made from scratch every single day. Nearly 30 years later, that founding idea still drives everything we do across all 35 locations in seven states.
Celebrating 30 Years: 1996 to 2026
The Poker Game That Started It All
Every great steak house deserves a great story, and ours has one. The J.T. Colton legend tells of a man who won a restaurant in a poker game, a tale that captures the bold, no-nonsense spirit the brand was built on. While the story is a fable, the names and towns woven into it connect directly to the real history of the founders who built this company from the ground up. It is that blend of genuine heritage and Western folklore that gives Colton's its identity: part family-owned steak house story, part American legend, and entirely its own thing. We are proud of where we came from, and we do not pretend to be anything other than what we are.
18+
YEARS IN BUSINESS IN WEST PLAINS
Our Mission and Values
Quality, Community, and a Commitment to Scratch Cooking
From the beginning, Colton's was positioned as a high-quality alternative to the buffet model. The founders, all veterans of the buffet group, saw an opportunity to offer something more satisfying: hand-cut steaks cooked exactly the way you ask, sides made from scratch, and homemade yeast rolls that keep people coming back. The steak house founded in 1996 in Conway, Arkansas has grown to 35 locations across Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee, but the core promise has not changed. We cook your steak your way. We know our communities by name. And we show up for them through fundraiser nights, local partnerships, and a genuine investment in the towns we call home. This is not a corporate formula. It is how we have operated since day one.
Common Questions About Colton's
Your Questions, Answered
Common Questions About Colton's Story and How We Operate
Where did Colton's Steak House originally open, and who founded it?
Colton's Steak House and Grill was founded in 1996 in Conway, Arkansas. The concept was developed by four former Bonanza buffet group owners who wanted a stronger alternative to the declining buffet model. Rather than follow a format they had already seen lose momentum, they built a family-style steak house centered on hand-cut steaks and made-from-scratch cooking. That original Conway, Arkansas restaurant became the foundation for what is now a 35-location operation spanning seven states.
Who is J.T. Colton, and is the poker game story actually true?
J.T. Colton is the central figure in a fable the brand uses to anchor its Western identity. The story goes that J.T. Colton won the restaurant in a poker game, a tale that fits the bold, frontier-inspired personality of the brand. While the poker game itself is a fable, the names and towns referenced in the story are drawn directly from the real history of the founding owners. It is a legend grounded in genuine roots, which is what makes it feel authentic rather than manufactured.How many Colton's locations are there, and which states do they operate in?
Colton's currently operates 35 locations across seven states: Arkansas, Illinois, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Oklahoma, and Tennessee. The brand deliberately focuses on smaller markets, typically towns with populations between 10,000 and 15,000 people, where it can become a genuine community fixture rather than just another dining option. This approach has allowed Colton's to build strong local loyalty in each market it serves.What sets Colton's apart from other steak house chains?
A few things stand out. The food is made from scratch, including the homemade yeast rolls that regulars know well, and steaks are hand-cut and cooked to your exact specification. The brand was founded specifically as an alternative to the buffet model, so quality and freshness are built into the concept from the start. Colton's also targets smaller communities and invests in them through fundraiser nights and local partnerships, something a large national chain rarely does in a town of 10,000 to 15,000 people.Does Colton's offer any regular promotions or deals for families?
Yes. Colton's offers a Kids Eat Free promotion every Monday night, where one parent can bring up to six children. There is also a 2 for $30 meal deal available, along with a Happy Hour running Monday through Friday from 4:00 PM to 6:00 PM featuring $2 off drinks and $6.99 appetizers. These promotions are designed to make a quality steak house experience accessible for families on a regular basis, not just for special occasions.
Is Colton's a locally owned restaurant or a corporate chain?
Colton's operates as a franchise, meaning individual locations are owned and operated by local owners rather than a single corporate entity. The brand identifies itself as a local business and actively targets small markets where it can integrate into the community. Each location is meant to feel like a neighborhood restaurant with a consistent standard of quality, rather than a generic corporate outpost. The West Plains location, for example, is owned and operated by Haley Mitchell.Does Colton's support local community organizations or nonprofits?
Yes. Community involvement is a core part of how Colton's operates. Individual locations host fundraiser nights for local nonprofits and participate in community donation programs. This is part of the brand's deliberate strategy to function as a local community partner in the smaller markets it serves. The West Plains location also maintains a local blog called West Plains Living, which covers community news and events alongside restaurant updates.What milestone is Colton's marking in 2026?
Colton's Steak House and Grill was founded in 1996, which means the brand reaches its 30th anniversary in 2026. That milestone reflects three decades of consistent operation in the family-style steak house space and reinforces the brand's positioning as a long-standing community partner rather than a newer concept still finding its footing.
