July 14, 2008
Ruth's Chris Steak House Opens New Franchised Restaurant
Contacts:
Media
Alecia Pulman (646) 277-1220
apulman@icrinc.com
Lanette Jarvis (407) 829-3411
lanettej@rhgi.com
Investor Relations
Tom Ryan (203) 682-8200
tryan@icrinc.com
Ruth's Chris Steak House Opens New Franchised Restaurant
Second location in Mississippi, 124th Worldwide
Heathrow, Fla., July 14, 2008 -- Ruth's Chris Steak House (Nasdaq: RUTH) today announced the opening of a new franchised restaurant in Ridgeland, Mississippi, bringing the total number of restaurants to 124 worldwide. This is the second Ruth's Chris location in Mississippi, joining the Ruth's Chris Steak House currently in Biloxi . It is the second for franchise owner David Cooper.
"Our restaurant in Biloxi has been very well received and we saw the opportunity to bring a second location to the state in Ridgeland," commented Geoffrey Stiles, Ruth's Chris President. "We are fortunate to have a great franchise partner, and we are confident that David Cooper will successfully bring our founder, Ruth Fertel's legacy of sizzling steaks and superb guest service to the metro Jackson area."
The Ruth's Chris Steak House in Ridgeland is located in the Renaissance at Colony Park plaza. The restaurant seats a total of 254 guests and will open nightly at 5 p.m. Seating at the 54 tables will range from a handful of secluded booths with privacy curtains in the Club Room to private dining rooms that will accommodate between 20 and 120 guests. The restaurant was designed and decorated to resonate with local tastes, including four distinctive dining areas, each offering its own unique ambiance and experience. Rich colors and dark woods (including Red Oak paneling taken from a New Orleans bank circa 1920) highlight the interior that also includes gas lights, chandeliers, and mother of Pearl tiles. Artwork from owner David Cooper's private collection adorns the walls.
A wine cellar situated in the center of the restaurant is a focal point of the layout. Built out of Appalachian field stone, the temperature-controlled room features a Tudor ceiling and houses more than 1,200 bottles of wine.
Guests at Ruth's Chris Ridgeland can enjoy New Orleans-inspired appetizers, aged USDA Prime steaks, fresh seafood, signature side dishes and homemade desserts, all complemented by an award-winning wine list and served with a genuine hospitality style service in an elegant yet comfortable atmosphere.
About Ruth's Chris Steak House
Ruth's Chris Steak House, is a part of Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. Founded in New Orleans by Ruth Fertel in 1965, Ruth's Chris specializes in USDA Prime grade steaks served in Ruth's Chris signature fashion ... "sizzling."
To experience fine dining at its prime . . . just follow the sizzle to Ruth's Chris Steak House. For information, reservations, and gift cards, visit www.RuthsChris.com or call 1-800-544-0808.
About Ruth's Hospitality Group
Ruth's Hospitality Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: RUTH) is a leading restaurant company focused exclusively on the upscale dining segment. The Company owns the Ruth's Chris Steak House, Mitchell's Fish Market, Mitchell's Steakhouse and Cameron's Steakhouse concepts. With more than 145 company- and franchisee-owned locations worldwide, Ruth's Hospitality Group was founded in 1965 and is headquartered in Heathrow, Fla.
For further information about our restaurants, to make reservations, or to purchase gift cards, please visit: www.RuthsChris.com, www.MitchellsFishMarket.com, www.MitchellsSteakhouse.com and www.Camerons-Steakhouse.com. For more information about Ruth's Hospitality Group, please visit www.rhgi.com.