Ruth's Hospitality Group Inc. announced unaudited consolidated earnings results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2013. For the quarter, the company reported total revenues of $107,360,000 compared with $100,298,000 for the same period a year ago. Operating income was $13,045,000 compared with $9,916,000 for the same period a year ago. Income from continuing operations before income tax expense was $12,563,000 compared with $8,616,000 for the same period a year ago. Income from continuing operations was $8,757,000 or $0.25 per diluted share compared with $6,042,000 or a loss of $0.89 per diluted and basic share for the same period a year ago. Net income applicable to preferred and common shareholders was $7,661,000 or $0.22 per basic and diluted share compared with a loss of $30,268,000 or $0.89 per diluted and basic share for the same period a year ago. Non-GAAP net income applicable to preferred and common shareholders was $8,757,000 or $0.25 per diluted share compared with $6,129,000 or $0.15 per diluted share for the same period a year ago. At the end of the first quarter of 2013, the company had $43 million in debt outstanding under its senior credit facility, a decrease of $2 million from $45 million at the end of 2012 and a decrease of $34 million from the end of the first quarter of 2012. Based on current information, The company is updating its full year 2013 outlook. Effective tax rate is expected to be of 28% to 32%. Capital expenditures are expected to be $14 to $16 million.

Ruth's Hospitality Group Inc. announced that its Board of Directors, as part of the company's focus on shareholder returns, has approved the initiation of a regular quarterly cash dividend to shareholders. The initial quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share will be paid to shareholders on May 30, 2013 to all common shareholders of record as of the close of business on May 16, 2013.

Ruth's Hospitality Group Inc. announced that it will add breakfast and lunch to the menu, moving away from a dinner-only format when it moves from Sunset Station to the Grand Hyatt next fall. The company notified the Texas Workforce Commission that it will terminate 86 hourly employees as part of the move. Franchisee Lana Duke reported the workforce commission of the layoffs in a letter on April 25, 2013. The notice was required under the federal Worker Adjustment Retraining Notification (WARN) Act, which stipulates 60 days' notice for mass layoffs. The Sunset Station location is scheduled to close on or about July 28, 2013 with the hotel opening on or about September 23, 2013.