Ruth's Chris Steak House
An upscale steakhouse chain recognized for prime steaks served sizzling on exceptionally hot plates.
Last updated October 22, 2026
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Overview
Ruth's Chris Steak House is an American upscale steakhouse brand whose modern history began in 1965, when Ruth Fertel purchased Chris' Steak House in New Orleans. Fertel, a divorced single mother seeking funds for her sons' education, took over a restaurant that had originally been established in 1927 by Chris Matulich. She personally managed the operation, drew on family and local restaurant experience, and built a reputation for generous portions, formal service, and carefully prepared beef. The business initially operated under the Chris' Steak House name, but a 1976 fire forced a move to a nearby property. Because the original purchase agreement restricted use of the old name at another address, Fertel combined her own name with the inherited name, creating Ruth's Chris Steak House. The renamed restaurant became the foundation of a franchised system. Its first franchise opened in Baton Rouge in 1977 under T. J. Moran, a loyal customer who later developed additional Ruth's Chris locations and other restaurant businesses. Fertel's approach to franchising favored operators who already understood the brand as customers. During the 1980s and 1990s, the chain expanded across the United States and into international markets, reaching dozens of restaurants and more than $200 million in annual revenue by the late 1990s. Fertel sold a majority interest to Madison Dearborn Partners in 1999 after developing lung cancer, while retaining a minority stake until her death in 2002. The company became publicly traded in 2005 under President and Chief Executive Officer Craig Miller. Hurricane Katrina later damaged the New Orleans area and prompted the relocation of the corporate headquarters to Florida. The original Broad Street flagship was ultimately closed and donated for community use; a new New Orleans restaurant later opened in Harrah's Hotel. In 2008, the company acquired Mitchell's Fish Restaurant and Columbus Fish Market, a diversification move that contributed to financial and operational pressure during the recession. Management responded by restructuring the business and establishing Ruth's Hospitality Group as the parent organization for its restaurant brands. The corporate headquarters moved to Winter Park in 2011. Ruth's Chris has remained centered on premium steakhouse dining, with signature cuts such as filet, ribeye, and New York strip, alongside seafood, side dishes, desserts, and an extensive wine program. Its defining presentation is the delivery of steaks on plates heated to approximately 500 degrees Fahrenheit, allowing the food to arrive audibly sizzling and remain hot at the table. The brand combines a formal dining-room experience with franchised and company-operated locations, including restaurants in hotels, casinos, and destination properties. In 2020, the parent company drew public criticism after two subsidiaries received a combined $20 million in forgivable Paycheck Protection Program loans. The company announced that it would repay the funds after the controversy. In 2023, Darden Restaurants agreed to acquire Ruth's Hospitality Group in an all-cash transaction valued at approximately $715 million in equity value. The transaction closed in June 2023, making Ruth's Chris a Darden-owned restaurant brand and ending its independent public-company status. The brand continues to operate as an upscale steakhouse chain in North America.
History
The restaurant lineage dates to February 27, 1927, when Chris Matulich opened Chris' Steak House at 1100 North Broad Street in New Orleans. The small restaurant seated approximately 60 people and had no parking lot. During Matulich's long period of ownership, the business changed hands several times, but failed under each buyer and was repeatedly reacquired by Matulich. Ruth Fertel purchased the restaurant in 1965. She was a divorced mother who wanted to provide for her sons' education and initially faced skepticism from her banker, lawyer, and friends. Fertel became deeply involved in daily operations and developed the restaurant into a prominent New Orleans steakhouse. The restaurant was notable for its all-female wait staff during much of her tenure and for a service style that emphasized hospitality, substantial portions, and premium beef. A fire in early 1976 destroyed the original building shortly after Fertel had signed a new lease. She moved the business within seven days to a nearby property at 711 North Broad Street, increasing capacity to approximately 160 seats. The prior sales agreement prevented her from using the original name at the new address, so she adopted the hybrid name Ruth's Chris Steak House. The unusual name preserved continuity with the old restaurant while identifying Fertel as the new proprietor. The first franchise location opened in Baton Rouge in 1977 under T. J. Moran. Franchising became an important mechanism for national and international growth. By the middle of 1998, the chain had 66 locations in the United States and overseas and reported annual revenue above $200 million. Fertel sold a 79.3 percent interest to Madison Dearborn Partners in August 1999 after being diagnosed with lung cancer. She remained an investor until her death in 2002. The company completed an initial public offering on August 9, 2005, under Craig Miller. Later that month, Hurricane Katrina caused severe damage in the New Orleans region. The corporate headquarters moved to Florida, and two area restaurants closed temporarily or permanently. The historic Broad Street flagship was ultimately donated for community use; Tulane University later incorporated the site into the Ruth U. Fertel/Tulane Community Health Center. A new Ruth's Chris restaurant returned to New Orleans in 2008 at Harrah's Hotel. In February 2008, the company purchased Mitchell's Fish Restaurant and Columbus Fish Market from Cameron Mitchell Restaurants. The diversification effort coincided with recessionary pressure, falling share value, and substantial debt. After leadership changes, the company reorganized in May 2008 as Ruth's Hospitality Group, placing Ruth's Chris and the acquired seafood concepts within a broader restaurant group. The headquarters moved to Winter Park in 2011. The chain continued adding locations in casinos, hotels, and conventional restaurant markets. Notable later openings included a Las Vegas location at Harrah's in 2013, expansion plans for Albuquerque announced in 2015, an Odenton, Maryland restaurant in 2016, a Reno location at Silver Legacy in 2018, and a West Des Moines, Iowa restaurant in 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic, two subsidiaries obtained a combined $20 million in forgivable PPP loans. The arrangement produced significant public backlash, and the company reported that the loans would be repaid. In May 2023, Darden Restaurants announced an agreement to acquire Ruth's Hospitality Group for $21.50 per share in cash. Completion in June 2023 converted the former public company into a Darden-owned restaurant business while retaining Ruth's Chris as a distinct operating brand.
- 2023
Darden acquisition closes
[1]Darden Restaurants completed its acquisition of Ruth's Hospitality Group, bringing Ruth's Chris into the Darden portfolio.
- 2008
Ruth's Hospitality Group is formed
[1]Following the Mitchell's acquisition and restructuring, the company established Ruth's Hospitality Group as its parent organization.
- 2005
Initial public offering
[1]Ruth's Chris Steak House became a public company following an IPO.
- 1999
Madison Dearborn acquires majority interest
[1]Madison Dearborn Partners purchased a 79.3 percent interest in the chain from Ruth Fertel.
- 1977
First franchise opens
[1]T. J. Moran opened the first franchised Ruth's Chris restaurant in Baton Rouge.
- 1976
Fire leads to the Ruth's Chris name
[1]After a fire forced relocation, Fertel adopted the name Ruth's Chris Steak House because the old name could not be used at another address.
- 1965
Ruth Fertel purchases the restaurant
[1]Fertel acquired Chris' Steak House and began building the operation that would become the Ruth's Chris brand.
- 1927
Chris' Steak House opens in New Orleans
[1]Chris Matulich founded the original restaurant on North Broad Street, establishing the business lineage later associated with Ruth's Chris.
Products and positioning
Upscale dining and celebratory steakhouse hospitality
Steakhouse entree
Signature steaks
The brand's central offering consists of premium steak cuts including filet, ribeye, and New York strip. Steaks are cooked to order and presented on extremely hot plates, a service ritual intended to preserve heat and create the restaurant's characteristic sizzling arrival. The menu typically supports both individual cuts and larger portions suitable for celebratory dining.
Main course
Seafood
Seafood provides a complementary category to the beef-focused menu. Offerings have included fish, shellfish, and steak-and-seafood combinations, allowing the restaurants to serve guests who want a premium entrée without choosing a steak.
Beverage
Wine and cocktails
Ruth's Chris locations pair their formal steakhouse menu with wine, cocktails, and other beverages. The beverage program supports business dinners, celebrations, and special-occasion visits and is an important part of the brand's upscale positioning.
Controversies
2020
Paycheck Protection Program loan controversy
Two subsidiaries received a combined $20 million in forgivable PPP loans during the COVID-19 pandemic. Public criticism focused on the company's size and employee count relative to the program's intended beneficiaries. The company subsequently stated that the loans would be returned.
2020
Ruth's Chris Steak House to Return Paycheck Protection Program Loans
Ruth's Chris Steak House became the subject of a controversy after it received two $10 million Paycheck Protection Program loans. Following public outrage and a petition, the company's CEO said that Ruth's Chris would repay the two loans at an accelerated rate. The announcement addressed criticism of the steakhouse chain's participation in the program.
2017
Alleged discriminatory treatment of Black customers
A lawsuit connected to a Houston location alleged that Black customers were denied equal service and assigned to a different dining area.
2011
Employment discrimination allegations
A class action involving female employees alleged pay discrimination, reduced promotion opportunities, and a sexually charged workplace environment. Class certification was granted in the reported proceedings.
Brand decisions
2023
Sell Ruth's Hospitality Group to Darden RestaurantsM&ABackground
Ruth's Hospitality Group operated Ruth's Chris as a public restaurant company before Darden proposed an acquisition.
Action taken
Darden agreed to acquire the company for $21.50 per share in cash; the transaction closed on June 14, 2023.
Aftermath
Ruth's Chris became a Darden-owned brand and ceased to operate as an independently listed company.
Equity value. Approximately $715 million transaction equity value (2023 acquisition announcement)
2008
Create a multi-brand hospitality groupStrategyBackground
The company had acquired Mitchell's Fish Restaurant and Columbus Fish Market while facing recessionary pressure, falling share value, and increased debt.
Action taken
Management reorganized the company as Ruth's Hospitality Group and gave its restaurant brands separate identities within the group.
Aftermath
Ruth's Chris remained the flagship steakhouse brand while the parent company managed a broader restaurant portfolio.
1976
Relocate and rename the restaurant after a fireStrategyBackground
A fire destroyed the original New Orleans restaurant soon after Fertel signed a new lease, while the prior sales agreement restricted use of the original name at another address.
Action taken
Fertel reopened within seven days at a nearby property and adopted the name Ruth's Chris Steak House.
Aftermath
The replacement location expanded capacity and the hybrid name became the permanent identity of the growing chain.
Recent events
Ruth’s Chris says it will return PPP loans[3]
Reported:
After public outrage and a petition, Ruth’s Chris Steak House’s CEO said the company would repay its two $10 million Paycheck Protection Program loans at an accelerated rate.
Sources3 sources
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