The Truth Behind Rumors of Ruby Tuesday Closing

The well-known American restaurant chain Ruby Tuesday has long been a mainstay of the food scene. Its devoted fan following is shocked by recent rumors that it is about to close. In this exposé, we dissect the layers of conjecture to determine whether the rumors are true. Social media became a hub for speculation and worry as the rumors gathered traction. But is the conjecture based on solid evidence, or are we just seeing hearsay that has been amplified without merit? Come along for a ride through the many turns and turns of the Ruby Tuesday story as we sort truth from fiction, address the rumors head-on, and provide insight into what will happen to this cherished restaurant.

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So, is Ruby Tuesday Actually Closing? 

Ruby Tuesday is not officially closed yet, but it probably will officially close sometime within the next several years. The financial strain will likely take the restaurant chain down. According to Business Insider, 1 in 3 Ruby Tuesday restaurant chains closed as a result of the Covid-19 Pandemic. In 2019, Ruby Tuesday had 451 locations, compared to 840 locations 10 years before. The company filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection in 2020 due to the pandemic. The company claimed that 185 restaurants shut down during the global crisis. After the closures, only 236 company-owned locations still operated. In 2021, Ruby Tuesday left Chapter 11 Bankruptcy. However, the company was down to 209 restaurant locations, which indicated more closings than planned. 

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Where Did These Rumors Come From?

The rumors came from hundreds of Ruby Tuesday’s closing across the country, and public knowledge of the company’s bankruptcy. Multiple media outlets covered the chain’s bankruptcy. More so, the media informed the public that Ruby Tuesday conducted several rebrand attempts throughout the 2010s that did not successfully increase revenue. Additionally, most people simply do not care for chain restaurants anymore. An overwhelming majority of consumers claim to prefer local businesses over corporate businesses. Most people claim that the quality of food and treatment is better at local restaurants since the livelihood of individuals in the business’s community depends on it. 

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Will It Close in the Future?

Yes, Ruby Tuesday will likely close in the future. The company already filed for bankruptcy in 2020 and had been declining even before the pandemic. Ruby Tuesday saw implications of financial ruin in 2007, and their numbers continued to diminish. In 2017, a private-equity firm bought the company. These situations combined are not good signs for the future of Ruby Tuesday. Most people do not expect Ruby Tuesday to come back from such a financial crisis. It is possible to see a trend in similar restaurant closures across the country. Most chains in the food industry fail to update their menus and operations to appeal to younger audiences. Unfortunately, none of the trends seem positive for Ruby Tuesday. 

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Other Restaurant Closings

Dozens of restaurants similar to Ruby Tuesday closed. Restaurant chains like Ruby Tuesday already had been declining with onsets of new food trends prioritizing local business. The Covid-19 Pandemic sped up the closing process for restaurant chains all over the world. Sweet Tomatoes, an American-buffet-style restaurant closed its doors in 2020 due to the pandemic. Before the pandemic, Sweet Tomatoes had already been declining and filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in 2016. In 2017, the New York private investment firm bought out the chain. However, the buy-out was incredibly unsuccessful and Sweet Tomatoes could not withstand the financial troubles of the pandemic. Additionally, companies like IHOP will likely be closing in 2022.