They also said in their most recent earnings call that they are testing a new restaurant design and menu to be more kid/family friendly, because they had strayed from that when they tried to go more upscale.

OK, then.

("Floundering" is the term I think they are looking for to describe their business strategy.)

Besides which there is no logic in that company statement. "Allowing"?! wtf?

Ruby Tuesday is one of a very limited # of choices for Sunday meal after church in Harriman. I have no complaints. Mama is happy with the salad bar. Some local folks are employed. We have few options and find the food served there to be equal to most options in the wider area, including Knoxville.

How many brand transformations have they gone through in the last 10 years or so? Either I've lost count or I can't count that high.

It sounds like they have "managed" it to death. Similar to "committee" a good idea to the point where it no longer exists in a form worth pursuing.

I really wish it wasn't doomed. I know it's easy to take potshots from the outside, but things like the corporate speak above just make it appear that their problem isn't too many cooks spoiling the broth, but too many MBA's trying to re-brand the broth.

Seems like they should leave the restaurant design alone for now, and keep whatever dishes they've got in the kitchen. Then they could empower a chef or two to work up a decent menu that uses fresh ingredients and no microwave ovens. That menu would then be handed to the MBAs, who are not allowed to change it, but instead must take what they're given and come up with a logistics and pricing plan to produce and sell that menu in all their restaurants. Then maybe check in with restaurant cooks to make sure they can cook, and be sure the wait staff gives a damn. They probably will again, just as soon as they realize widgets are off the menu.

Hell, their marketing campaign could be a series of commercials showing chefs and cooks locking the MBAs out of the kitchen as much hilarity ensues.

There's no time to lose, I heard her say
Catch your dreams before they slip away.

P.S. If you're reading this, JJ Buettgen, please use the ideas with no attribution. No, seriously. Please do. Except maybe check in with Mick Jagger on the lyrics.

It's an acronym.
~m.

Facts (with speculation in parentheses)

RT is bought by venture captalists.

One bails quickly. (One heads for the hills after a look at the valley that is RT)

Beall is out. Buettgen, former Chief Marketing Officer for Darden, is in. (JJ still has yet to update his LinkedIn) (link...)

Buettgen is Chairman, President and CEO. (seems like a lot for someone rebuilding a brand. Or the right amount for positioning a sale)

Buettgen starts layoffs and shutters locations. (JJ trims the fat for a possible purchase)

Orlando, for some reason, offers tax incentives for RT to relocate some of its operations. (they were asked)

Orlando is the location of Darden's HQ. (and nice. Right next to the Ritz)

RT moves some operations to Orlando.

(This is not a hostile takeover, it's a hostage handover.

And the hostage is dead, but has valuable real estate.)

Top ten national restaurant brands according to a recent consumer survey:

1. Ruth's Chris Steak House (also fine dining winner)
2. Morton's
3. The Capital Grille
4. McCormick & Schmick's
5. The Melting Pot (also casual dining winner)
6. Fleming's
7. Cheddar's
8. The Cheesecake Factory
9. In-N-Out Burger (also limited service winner)
10. FirstWatch (also family dining winner)

Ruby Tuesday did not make the top 25.