For Kelley Hydrick, owner of Outback Steakhouse Roswell, being part of community goes far beyond serving up steaks and Bloomin' Onions. Whether she's feeding the Roswell High School Hornets before a big game, showing up for local schools, or making sure Roswell's first responders know they're appreciated, Kelley has built her restaurant into more than a neighborhood favorite, it's become a genuine partner in the community. We sat down with her to talk about what giving back really looks like, one plate at a time.
You hosted Roswell High School Hornets for a meal before their first home game, what does a moment like that mean to you as a business owner in Roswell?
We prepared and delivered 150 burgers to RHS so the players could share a meal together before their first home game. There was something really special about knowing that before they stepped onto that field representing Roswell, we had the opportunity to feed them and be a small part of their day. Roswell High is literally right in our backyard, and these aren’t just customers to us, these are our neighbors, the kids who grow up here, the families who come through our doors, and the people who make this community what it is. For me, owning a business in Roswell comes with a responsibility to give back to the community that supports us. I want those young people to grow up remembering that the businesses around cared enough to show up for them. We may have delivered 150 burgers that day, but what I hope we really delivered was the message that their community is behind them. That’s what makes moments like this mean so much to me.
Beyond game-day meals, how does Outback Steakhouse Roswell stay involved with local schools throughout the year?
Our schools are such a huge part of this community, and I never want our involvement to be something we do once and then disappear. We look for opportunities throughout the year to support teams, clubs, teachers, students and school organizations. Give Back events, donations, meals, fundraisers, community events or simply showing up when somebody needs us. Sometimes what means the most isn’t a huge donation or a big event. It’s answering the phone when a school calls and saying, ‘What do you need, and how can we help?’ I want our local schools to know they have a partner here. These kids are growing up in our community, and I believe businesses have a responsibility to invest back into the people who invest in us.
You also make a point of supporting local first responders—what does that relationship look like, and why is it important to you personally?
Our first responders spend their lives showing up for people, often on their hardest days, and so much of what they do happens without recognition. Supporting them is simply our way of saying, we see you, we appreciate you, and you matter to us. I have tremendous respect for the people who serve this community. They don’t get to choose when someone needs them, they just show up. I think there is something really powerful about returning that same spirit. Whether it’s providing a meal, supporting an event or just making sure they know our doors are always welcoming to them, I want them to feel appreciated here. I also give first responders in uniform 50% off when they dine here in Roswell. You can never say ‘thank you’ too many times to people who spend their lives taking care of everyone else.
When you think about what it means to be a “neighbor” and not just a restaurant in Roswell, how do you want the community to feel when they walk through your doors?
I want people to feel like they belong here. I want them to walk through our doors and feel like they’re walking into a place where people know them, care about them and are genuinely happy they’re here. Restaurants get to be part of people’s lives in ways we sometimes take for granted. We see birthdays, first dates, family dinners, celebrations after a big win and sometimes families who just need a place to sit down together after a difficult day. That’s a privilege.
Roswell has supported this restaurant, and I believe we should pour that support right back into Roswell. I don’t want us to simply be the Outback located here, I want us to be Roswell’s Outback. When people think about us, I hope they don’t only remember a great steak. I hope they remember how we made them feel and that when this community needed us, we showed up.
We may have delivered 150 burgers that day, but what I hope we really delivered was the message that their community is behind them.
-Kelley Hydrick