Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Ruth’s Chris Steak House Franchise

Ruth’s Chris Steak House is an upscale, full-service steakhouse known for USDA Prime steaks served sizzling on 500-degree plates. Founded in New Orleans in 1965 by Ruth Fertel, the brand began franchising in 1976 and grew into one of the world’s largest fine-dining steakhouse companies, with restaurants across the United States and in more than 20 countries.

The brand is owned by Darden Restaurants, a publicly traded Fortune 500 company and the largest full-service restaurant group in the world, which acquired Ruth’s Chris in 2023. Darden’s portfolio also includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse and The Capital Grille, giving the brand the backing of a large, established operator.

The restaurants pair USDA Prime beef with a proprietary high-temperature broiler and a polished service model built around celebrations, business dining and special occasions. The network is a mix of company-owned and franchised locations. Under Darden, new franchising is focused on international markets and US airport sites, while franchised restaurants also operate in the domestic market.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Ruth’s Chris Steak House resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Ruth’s Chris Steak House Franchise?

Buying a Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchise means stepping into one of the most recognized names in fine dining, a category built on celebrations, business entertaining and special-occasion spending that supports premium pricing. The brand carries decades of consumer trust, a distinctive sizzling-plate signature and menu standards that travel consistently across markets.

Ownership now comes with the resources of Darden Restaurants, whose franchise support spans operations, training, marketing, culinary and beverage development, and strategic sourcing. For qualified operators, that combination of an established premium brand and a Fortune 500 parent is difficult to build independently.

Ruth’s Chris Steak House Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      1965

    • Franchising Since

      1977

    • New Startup Cost

      $2,502,000 – $6,405,000

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $125,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $62,500

    • Royalty Fee

      5%

      of Gross Revenue

    • Marketing Fee

      1%

      of Net Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      137

    • New Units Opened *

      0

    • Units Transferred *

      0

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      Not Disclosed

    * Based on 2024 data reported in the 2025 FDD

Ruth’s Chris Steak House – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    As part of Darden Restaurants, Ruth's Chris franchisees draw on a large-company support structure covering management and operations training, ongoing operational guidance, marketing, culinary and beverage development, and strategic sourcing. Established brand standards and menu systems help keep service consistent across locations. Resale buyers should confirm with Darden what onboarding and transfer training is provided to incoming owners and managers, and what operational and sourcing support carries over when ownership of an existing restaurant changes.

  2. Ideal Owner

    Ruth's Chris suits experienced, operations-led owners rather than passive investors. The model rewards hands-on restaurant or hospitality management ability, comfort running a large front- and back-of-house team, and a focus on the consistent, polished service a premium steakhouse demands. Strong people management, attention to quality and the discipline to uphold strict brand standards matter more than a culinary background. Owners who understand fine-dining economics and can build local relationships for business and special-occasion bookings tend to fit best.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Ruth's Chris is among the best-known names in American fine dining, ranked #1 in TripAdvisor's Top 10 Large Chains in America in 2019 and earning restaurant-level recognition including TripAdvisor Certificate of Excellence and OpenTable Diners' Choice honors, with 2024 Diners' Choice winners among its locations. The brand has also received franchise recognition, including a 2016 Franchise Leadership Team of the Year award. It is now backed by Darden Restaurants, a Fortune 500 company. For resale buyers, brand prestige should be weighed alongside a specific unit's local reviews and reputation.

  4. Industry / Market

    Ruth's Chris operates at the premium end of the US full-service restaurant market, part of an industry the National Restaurant Association projects at well over $1 trillion in annual sales. Fine dining tracks consumer confidence and business spending, with demand concentrated around celebrations, corporate entertaining and affluent diners. The steakhouse segment has shown durable appeal, though it is more sensitive to economic cycles than value-led dining. For resale buyers, local affluence, corporate activity and tourism in a unit's territory are key demand drivers.

Learn more about
how to own a Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.