Ruby Tuesday Closing More than 90 Locations Nationwide

MARYVILLE, TN – Restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday announced Friday that it will be closing close to 95 underperforming locations across the country.

The Company also announced plans to streamline the organization, improve financial profitability, and create long-term value for shareholders through its Fresh Start initiative, according to a release.

Ruby Tuesday recently completed a comprehensive review of its corporate-owned restaurant portfolio and determined to close approximately 95 restaurants it considered underperforming.

These locations will cease operations by September. The company currently has 724 restaurants, of which 646 were company-operated. There are more than a dozen locations in Connecticut alone and no decisions have been made about closing any local location. There is a location in Waterford at 905 Hartford Turnpike.

The company said financial and other key performance metrics, were a factor in the decision. Site location, market positioning and lease status were also cited.

"The decision to close restaurants is a difficult but necessary step as we take aggressive actions to strengthen our organization,” Chairman of the Board, President, and Chief Executive Officer JJ Buettgen in a release. “Performance at each of these locations, despite the loyalty of valued guests and the efforts of our dedicated employees, was not meeting expectations.”

The company said it will try to offer employees of shuttered locations jobs at nearby restaurants.