Ruth’s Chris to shut its Moments Square locale

Ruth’s Chris has extra than 150 destinations all over the world. / Photograph: Shutterstock

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is closing its spot around Periods Sq. in Manhattan just after 30 a long time, marking the conclusion of a superior-profile outpost for the 150-unit steak chain.

Ruth’s lease at 148 W. 51st St. is expiring and the firm has decided not to renew it, a spokesperson explained. “We are actively discovering other prospects in Manhattan, and we’ll announce extra specifics when they develop into readily available,” the particular person explained. 

The locale has struggled from the gradual return of office staff to downtown, Ruth’s CEO Cheryl Henry said through an earnings connect with in November.

“Our Manhattan restaurant continues to be challenged, albeit it has some eco-friendly shoots, but it continues to be challenged more than the prolonged haul from a revenue perspective,” Henry explained, according to a transcript from economical products and services web site Sentieo.

Although Manhattan place of work occupancy rates have risen, they are nonetheless properly under pre-pandemic amounts. About 54% of Manhattan place of work staff anticipated to be coming to the office environment by the start of this yr, according to a study published in September by the Partnership for New York Town.

Ruth’s has normally accomplished very well coming out of the pandemic, as have most steak ideas. In the third quarter, very same-retailer gross sales rose 2.9% year around 12 months and 11.2% as opposed to 2019, which Henry mentioned was the chain’s finest third quarter ever besides Q3 2021.

Closing restaurants appears to be the exception fairly than the rule for the Winter Park, Fla.-based mostly chain. It opened 3 new places in the 3rd quarter and designs to increase at the very least five much more this yr.

And it’s not the only brand to go away a longtime house on Times Square recently. In October, a choose requested Applebee’s to vacate its locale there immediately after 20 many years. Franchisee Apple Metro owed $7 million in hire and said profits have been down 75% because March 2020.

Meanwhile, speedy-services brands this kind of as Krispy Kreme, Popeyes and Increasing Cane’s have flocked to open up Instances Square flagships. 

Ruth’s last day of operation on 51st Road will be April 22. Staff members have been presented employment at other spots in the space.

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