What Happened to Ruth's Chris Steak House?

Ruth's Chris Steak House began its storied journey in 1965 when Ruth Fertel, a single mother, mortgaged her home to purchase 'Chris' Steak House' in New Orleans. Against the advice of her banker and lawyer, Fertel taught herself the restaurant business, laying the foundation for what would become a global brand. A pivotal moment occurred in 1976 when a kitchen fire destroyed the original building. Due to a sales agreement preventing her from using the original name at a new address, Fertel improvised, adding her own name to the sign, thus creating 'Ruth's Chris Steak House'. The first franchised location opened in 1977, initiating a period of rapid expansion across the U.S. and internationally.

In 1999, the company was acquired by Madison Dearborn Partners, which helped further its growth before it became a public company in August 2005 through a successful Initial Public Offering (IPO) that valued the company at $235 million. The headquarters were later relocated to Winter Park, Florida. Ruth Fertel, known as the 'First Lady of Steak,' passed away in 2002, but her legacy of perfect steaks and warm hospitality continued to define the brand.

A significant turning point for Ruth's Chris occurred on June 14, 2023, when Darden Restaurants, Inc., the parent company of Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, completed its acquisition of Ruth's Hospitality Group Inc. for an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $715 million, or $21.50 per share. This acquisition added Ruth's Chris to Darden's diverse portfolio of full-service restaurant brands, significantly bolstering its fine-dining segment.

The rationale behind the acquisition was to complement Darden's existing upscale brands like The Capital Grille and Eddie V's, with Darden CEO Rick Cardenas noting Ruth's Chris's strong brand and impressive history. Post-acquisition, Darden projected annual synergies and savings of $35 million, exceeding initial expectations, with plans to reinvest $10 million back into Ruth's, primarily for food and human resources.

As of March 2026, Ruth's Chris Steak House operates as a division of Darden Restaurants, maintaining over 100 locations across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and other international markets. Operational changes under Darden's ownership, implemented in late 2023 and early 2024, included scaling back lunch service wherever possible and discontinuing third-party delivery to enhance profitability and guest experience. The brand continues to expand, with new locations opening, such as in Rochester, Minnesota in Spring 2024, and a larger franchised restaurant in Rogers, Arkansas in April 2025. In March 2026, the company reiterated its business casual dress code policy, banning items like hats and gym wear in its dining rooms, reflecting its commitment to a sophisticated dining atmosphere.