Ruby Tuesday, Inc., one of the nation’s casual dining restaurant companies, announced that it has signed development agreements with five of its existing domestic franchisees to allow them to develop a total of 25 additional Ruby Tuesday restaurants in the next several years. Franchisees included in the expansion include North Dakota Cuisine, RT St. Louis Franchise, RT Western Missouri Franchise, RT Omaha Franchise, and RT Iowa Franchise.
“Our franchisees are great operators and developers,” said Mark Ingram, President of Franchise Development. “Their ability to open additional Ruby Tuesday restaurants will continue the growth of our brand in new and existing markets,” he added.
John Bruton, partner for the Ruby Tuesday Western Missouri Franchise, said that he is excited about the growth in his area. “I believe in Ruby Tuesday’s strategic direction and mission to consistently deliver a memorable, high-quality, casual dining experience to our Guests.”
States included in the development agreement include Iowa, Missouri, Nebraska, and Arkansas.
Ruby Tuesday was founded more than 35 years ago, when current Chairman and CEO Sandy Beall opened the first restaurant near the University of Tennessee in Knoxville in 1972. Since then, the company has grown to over 900 company-owned and franchised restaurants in 45 states, the District of Columbia, 13 foreign countries, and Puerto Rico.