Text: Stuart Anderson

With more than 700 restaurants in operation in the USA, and owned by one of the three largest US public companies in the bar-and-grill category of casual dining, Ruby Tuesday has major resources to draw upon to support its international growth. A modern American dining concept, which was founded in 1972 in Knoxville, Tennessee, Ruby Tuesday is now preparing to build a greater presence throughout Europe.

"Ruby Tuesday has proven its appeal, with a broad customer base and successful sites that range from the smallest towns to major metropolitan areas," says Lynn Black, Director of Franchise Sales and Relations. "We have developed a high quality and branded restaurant store concept and are now replicating this in European markets through ambitious franchisees."

The company has established 36 franchised units in 14 countries outside the US, including locations in Greece, Romania and Iceland. Guests are also enjoying this rapidly growing casual dining concept in India, Kuwait, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Mexico, Chile, Puerto Rico, Trinidad, Honduras, Canada, and soon to open in South Korea.

Ruby Tuesday is expanding its international presence by offering franchise opportunities to companies and individuals with the right combination of high standards, dedication to quality and service, operational expertise and the financial resources necessary to fulfil development obligations.

"Our international expansion is a top priority and we are now focusing on European franchising as one of the means to attain our goals," adds Black. "We are interested in developing new franchises in the United Kingdom, Russia, Germany and the Scandinavian countries through one large, well-established franchisee in each country, or possibly through several geographically defined developers with the means necessary to establish our presence. Similarly, we are also looking for franchisees to develop our concept in Eastern Europe, the Baltic countries, Spain and France."