History of Ruth's Chris Steak House in Timeline

Ruth's Chris Steak House is a well-known chain of over 100 steakhouses located in the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Originally operating as Darden Concepts, Inc., it rebranded as Ruth's Hospitality Group in 2008 after acquiring Mitchell's Fish Market. The headquarters are situated in Winter Park, Florida. The chain was later acquired by Darden Restaurants. The restaurant is known for its high-end dining experience and prime cuts of beef.

May 24, 1965: Ruth Fertel's First Day

On May 24, 1965, Ruth Fertel sold 35 steaks at $5 each on her first day after purchasing Chris' Steak House.

1977: First Franchised Restaurant

In 1977, the first franchised Ruth's Chris restaurant was opened in Baton Rouge by Thomas J. "T. J." Moran.

1995: Opening of Sterling's Seafood Steakhouse

In 1995, Sterling's Seafood Steakhouse had been in business until 2018 when Ruth's Chris opened at the Silver Legacy in Reno, Nevada.

August 1999: Sale to Madison Dearborn Partners

In August 1999, Ruth Fertel, sold a 79.3 percent interest in the Ruth's Chris chain to the investment company Madison Dearborn Partners of Chicago.

2002: Ruth Fertel's Death

Ruth Fertel, the founder of Ruth's Chris Steak House, passed away in 2002, after selling her controlling stake in the company in 1999 and remaining as a shareholder.

2003: Revenue Decrease

In 2003, Ruth's Chris Steak House revenues decreased to $167.8 million.

2004: Revenue Increase

In 2004, Ruth's Chris Steak House saw revenues rise again to $192.2 million, following a drop in 2003.

August 9, 2005: Initial Public Offering (IPO)

On August 9, 2005, Ruth's Chris Steak House became a public company with a successful IPO that valued the company at $235 million.

August 2005: Headquarters Relocation due to Hurricane Katrina

In late August 2005, due to the devastation caused by Hurricane Katrina, Ruth's Chris Steak House moved its corporate headquarters to Heathrow, Florida. Two locations in the New Orleans area were forced to close.

2006: Stock Price Fall

In 2006, Ruth's Chris Steak House stock price fell from $22 to under $5.

February 2008: Acquisition of Mitchell's Fish Restaurant

In February 2008, Ruth's Chris Steak House purchased the Mitchell's Fish Restaurant and Columbus Fish Market brands from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants for $92 million.

May 2008: Creation of Ruth's Hospitality Group

In May 2008, Ruth's Chris Steak House was restructured, and Ruth's Hospitality Group (RHGI) was created as the parent entity.

May 2008: Reopening in New Orleans

In May 2008, Ruth's Chris reopened in New Orleans, centrally located downtown in Harrah's Hotel after the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

May 22, 2008: Rebranding as Ruth's Hospitality Group

On May 22, 2008, Darden Concepts, Inc., doing business as Ruth's Chris Steak House, rebranded and became part of Ruth's Hospitality Group following the acquisition of Mitchell's Fish Market.

2009: Closing of Las Vegas Location

In 2009, Ruth's Chris closed its Las Vegas location on Flamingo.

2011: Class Action Status Granted for Female Employees' Complaint

In 2011, class action status was granted to female employees in a complaint against Ruth's Chris, charging the company with pay discrimination, fewer promotions, and maintaining a "sexually-charged" environment.

2011: Headquarters Relocation to Winter Park

In 2011, the corporate headquarters of Ruth's Chris Steak House was relocated to its current location in Winter Park, Florida.

2012: Tulane Community Health Center Opening

In 2012, Tulane University remodeled and reopened the original Ruth's Chris location on Broad Street as the Ruth U. Fertel/Tulane Community Health Center, after the company donated the damaged building to charity following Hurricane Katrina in 2005.

January 2013: Opening at Harrah's casino in Las Vegas

In January 2013, Ruth's Chris opened a new restaurant at Harrah's casino in Las Vegas.

February 2013: Sales Increase

In February 2013, RHGI reported that fourth quarter sales at Ruth's Chris restaurants were up by 7.0 percent on the previous year, representing the 11th consecutive quarterly increase in sales.

2015: Expansion into Albuquerque, New Mexico

In 2015, Ruth's Chris announced its expansion into Albuquerque, New Mexico.

2015: Death of Thomas J. "T.J." Moran

Thomas J. "T. J." Moran, the first Ruth's Chris franchisee, passed away in 2015. Moran opened several franchised Ruth's Chris locations, TJ Ribs, and Ruffino's restaurants through his company T.J. Moran Associates.

2016: Restaurant Opening in Odenton, Maryland

In 2016, Ruth's Chris opened a restaurant in Odenton, Maryland.

2017: Lawsuit Alleging Denial of Service to Black Customers

In 2017, Ruth's Chris was accused of denying service to black customers as part of a class action lawsuit, stemming from a Houston customer being seated in a different dining area.

2018: Restaurant Opening at Silver Legacy in Reno

In 2018, Ruth's Chris opened at the Silver Legacy in Reno, Nevada.

April 17, 2020: Receipt of Paycheck Protection Program Loans

On April 17, 2020, during the coronavirus pandemic, two subsidiaries of Ruth's Hospitality Group each received $10 million in forgivable loans from the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP).

April 24, 2020: Repayment of PPP Loans

On April 24, 2020, it was reported that Ruth's Hospitality Group would repay the $20 million in Paycheck Protection Program loans it received, following public controversy.

2022: Building Demolition Dispute

In 2022, the original Chris' Steak House building became the center of a historic preservation dispute when its new owner demolished the iconic wraparound terracotta-tile awning without obtaining the necessary permits.