Ruth’s Chris Steak House

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is a well-established fine-dining steakhouse with a legacy that reaches back nearly a century. The restaurant’s origins date to 1927 in New Orleans, when Chris Matulich opened the original Chris’ Steak House. In 1965, Ruth Fertel, a single mother with a science background, purchased the restaurant and personally oversaw its transformation, building a reputation for quality and hospitality. After a fire in 1976 forced a move, Fertel renamed the business Ruth’s Chris Steak House, a name that has since become synonymous with upscale steakhouse dining.

Over the decades, Ruth’s Chris expanded from its New Orleans roots to become a global brand. Franchising began in the late 1970s, and by the late 1990s, the company had surpassed 100 locations. As of November 2025, Ruth’s Chris operates 154 steakhouses across the United States, Canada, Mexico, and select international markets, with its headquarters in Winter Park, Florida.

The brand has continued to evolve in recent years. In June 2023, Darden Restaurants acquired Ruth’s Hospitality Group, bringing Ruth’s Chris under the umbrella of one of the industry’s most respected parent companies. Backed by Darden’s resources and expertise, Ruth’s Chris has accelerated its expansion, focusing on high-profile openings in major cities such as Boston, Toronto, and Singapore. The company targets prominent, high-traffic sites, often within luxury hotels or mixed-use developments, and remains active in pursuing flagship locations in top-tier markets including Miami, Dallas, and Los Angeles.

For landlords, brokers, and developers, Ruth’s Chris represents a reliable anchor tenant with a consistent format and a reputation for drawing an upscale clientele. The brand’s steady growth, strong corporate backing, and preference for high-visibility sites make it a valuable partner for retail and hospitality projects seeking stability and prestige.