Businessweek

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. operates as a restaurant company focused on the upscale dining segment. The company owns the Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Columbus Fish Market, Mitchell’s Steakhouse, and Cameron’s Steakhouse concepts. As of December 30, 2012, there were 137 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, including 64 company-owned restaurants, 1 restaurant operating under a management agreement, and 72 franchisee owned restaurants, including eighteen international franchisee-owned restaurants in Aruba, Canada, Hong Kong, El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. The company also operates 19 Mitchell’s Fish Markets and 3 Cameron’s Steakhouse restaurants, located primarily in the mid-west and Florida. Restaurant Concepts Ruth’s Chris Steak House: Ruth’s Chris Steak House is an upscale steakhouse company worldwide. The menu features a selection of USDA Prime and Choice grade steaks and other premium offerings served in Ruth’s Chris’ signature fashion—‘sizzling’ and topped with butter—complemented by other traditional menu items. Mitchell’s Fish Market: Mitchell’s Fish Market is a 19 restaurant upscale seafood concept. Mitchell’s Fish Market is open for both lunch and dinner, offering a menu of approximately 60 seafood dishes that changes frequently based on availability and season. Mitchell’s/Cameron’s Steakhouse: Mitchell’s/Cameron’s Steakhouse is a modern American steakhouse concept offering hand selected prime steaks aged to perfection. Mitchell’s Steakhouse has two restaurants in the Columbus, Ohio area. Cameron’s Steakhouse is located in Birmingham, Missouri. Suppliers The company’s suppliers include Stock Yards Packing, Michael’s Finer Meats and Seafood, and Save On Seafood Company. Strategy The company’s strategy is to improve sales/profitability; and expand relationships with new and existing franchisees and others. Service Marks The company has registered the main service marks ‘Ruth’s Chris’ and its ‘Ruth’s Chris Steak House’, and U.S. Prime & Design’ logo, as well as other service marks used by its restaurants, including ‘Mitchell’s Fish Market’ and the common law service marks ‘Mitchell’s Steakhouse’, ‘Columbus Fish Market’, and ‘Cameron’s Steakhouse’, with the United States Patent and Trademark Office and in the foreign countries in which its restaurants operate. The company has also registered in other foreign countries in anticipation of new store openings within those countries. Government Regulation The offer and sale of franchises are subject to regulation by the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and various states. The FTC requires that the company furnishes to prospective franchisees a franchise disclosure document containing prescribed information. Competition The principal upscale steakhouses with which the company competes are Fleming’s, The Capital Grille, Smith & Wollensky, The Palm, Del Frisco’s and Morton’s of Chicago. The principal seafood restaurants with which the company competes are McCormick & Schmick’s, Legal Seafood, Bonefish Grill, and The Oceanaire Seafood Room. History Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. was founded in 1965.