International Franchisees Have a Big Appetite for Ruby Tuesday

Business Wire

posted: 9 DAYS 13 HOURS AGO

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Casual-dining restaurant leader Ruby Tuesday, Inc. has announced new international franchise agreements for the development of its flagship brand in the Middle East and the United Kingdom. The company has also granted franchise rights for Wok Hay, an Asian-focused casual dining concept, in the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago and Chile.

“Ruby Tuesday’s international growth continues at a steady and reliable pace,” said Mark Ingram, President of Global PartnerShips, the company that manages Ruby Tuesday’s international and domestic franchise development. “We are excited to add new development territories to an existing franchise, sign an agreement for the first Ruby Tuesday in the U.K., and launch international franchising for Wok Hay. This growth proves there continues to be a high level of confidence in the brand and its performance,” he added.

More Growth in the Middle East, a Debut in Wales

Development rights for three new Ruby Tuesdays in the eastern territories of Saudi Arabia have been granted to an affiliate of Daliya Al-Wataniya for General Trading and Contracting W.L.L., the current franchisee for the countries of Bahrain, Oman, Jordan, and Lebanon, and six additional restaurants will be developed in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi by Bin Hendi Hospitality, the franchisee that now has the rights to open 18 Ruby Tuesday restaurants in all seven Emirate nations over the next five years.

And for the first time in the company’s 37-year history, a Ruby Tuesday will open in the United Kingdom when development begins on the first phase of a franchise for Wales and Southwest England that will allow for five restaurant openings in four-and-a-half years.

Franchising a New Brand

This year also marks the beginning of international franchise development of Wok Hay, the company’s pan-Asian concept. There are two Wok Hays currently open, both in the Knoxville, Tennessee area where Ruby Tuesday was founded and has its headquarters.

“Wok Hay offers fresh and affordable menu choices with plenty of flavor. We are excited to be working with these franchisees to demonstrate the potential of the concept,” said Ingram.

Wok Hays will be opened in Trinidad and Tobago by Derek and Roger Chin, current Ruby Tuesday franchisees in those countries, and in Chile by Carlos Musiet, who is also a franchisee of Ruby Tuesday restaurants in South America.

About Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. has company-owned and/or franchise Ruby Tuesday brand restaurants in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and 13 foreign countries. As of September 1, 2009, the Company owned and operated 670 Ruby Tuesday restaurants, while domestic and international franchisees (including Hawaii) operated 171 and 55 restaurants, respectively.

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RT).

For more information regarding franchise opportunities, please visit http://www.rubytuesday.com or call (865) 379-5739.