Ruby Tuesday Announces Plans for Restaurants in U.S. Airports

MARYVILLE, Tenn.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Ruby Tuesday, Inc., one of the nation’s leading casual dining restaurant companies, today announced plans for the opening of five franchised Ruby Tuesdays in U.S. airports over the next several years. The restaurants will be developed and operated by Areas USA, Inc.

“Areas has a proven record of operating success in a number of global markets”

The franchisee is a subsidiary of the Spanish company, Areas, S.A., which has 40 years of experience in high-volume service industries. Areas (pronounced “air ee us”), S.A. owns and operates restaurants, retail stores and hotels in nine countries including Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Mexico, and Chile, with an emphasis on airport locations.

"Areas has a proven record of operating success in a number of global markets,” said Mark Ingram, President-Franchising for Ruby Tuesday. "We are excited about partnering with a world-class operator to bring our simple, fresh American dining and gracious hospitality to a new market segment for our company.”

The first two airport locations to be developed are in Orlando and Detroit, with both restaurants scheduled to open by early 2009.

About Ruby Tuesday

The Ruby Tuesday concept was born 35 years ago, when current Chairman and CEO Sandy Beall opened the first restaurant near the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. Since then, the company has grown to over 900 company-owned and franchised restaurants in 45 states and 12 countries around the world. Ruby Tuesday is aggressively franchising territories in the western United States and in international locations. Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RT). More information about the company can be found at www.rubytuesday.com.