Ruth's Chris/Loyalty

[Jesse]

OK, I was having cocktails with a chef buddy of mine and we were talking about good deals in the city right now and Ruth's Chris Summer menu came up. Up until now, my feeling has been that I'd rather eat s**t than go in one of their restaurants ever again due to the way they've handled everything from the corporate office bailing to the abandonment of the Broad St property. My friend has the attitude that they don't owe anything to New Orleans and they have a CEO who answers to a board and so forth and so on. He put up a good argument. I still don't care for 'em, but I was curious what you all thought.

[Dilfan]

I'm with you. There are too many other good places to eat, that actually support the city, than to worry about Ruth's Chris. Personally, I think Dickie Brennans has better steak anyway!!

[Oyster]

I was curious what you all thought.

I was working for a Fast Food Franchisee when Katrina struck. None of our stores were in the area devistated by Katrina. However, we had locations throughout the area, and we had no means to communicate with the outside world, run our stores, pay employees, or, do anything normal to run a business. No one was in NOLA for weeks. It was FUBAB. Take this nation wide/world wide, and it is a nightmare larger than anyone not running this type of business can even begin to imagine. I have absolutely no problem, and would never even give a thought that they did something wrong/bailed on NOLA/ took advantage to move...etc...

I understand that people cannot understand the "why". But I can honestly say that it was the only option. There was no way you could keep all other locations running smoothly when HQ was out of order. And out of order for a very extended period.

Now, if I may vent...Lykes Steamship moved for no reason whatsoever. (Well...there were reasons...but...) Bailed on the Lykes building (now the Lowes Hotel) claiming they could not remain in NOLA in such close proximity to a CASINO! BS!

I have no problemo with Ruth's, but Lyke's bailout...well...their bacon won't touch my skillet!

[BTG]

I am slowly coming around to realizing that the move iteself probably wasn't so bad of a thing. They had to do it.
I still think they did nothing to help N.O. from what I can tell. Never heard about any donations and the such. Also, they did nothing but leave a rotting building at Broad.

[buzd]

I seem to recall that they were planning on moving before Katrina came into the picture. Either the CEO or the company that bought it from Ruth was based out of Orlando, and they were going there anyway. Of course, in that scenario, Broad would have remained open.

[EatinAintCheatin]

OK, my turn. I don't think it was necessary for Ruth's to move. I know of several companies, mine employer included, that learned from Katrina. We now have in place a hurricane plan that lets up completely, temporary, relocate our entire I.T dept. And local banks do the same. For a company as large as Ruth's it is certainly not that big of a deal.

I can't argue the point about answering to the shareholders; however, having a hurricane plan with a remote op center is not that difficult for a good I.T. manager.

We have such a plan where we move to Shreveport (and still keep our Louisiana roots) on a moments notice. We have backup servers already in place and have easily forwarded phone systems to handle the situation. And in our case we even have offsite inventory to support our customers. Moving your command center out of New Orleans solely because of hurricanes is B.S. Moving because of financial/shareholder pressures...well maybe.

[Dilfan]

There was no way you could keep all other locations running smoothly when HQ was out of order. And out of order for a very extended period.

That reasoning is not valid. If "they" had any concern about the chains' home base, they could have relocated HQ to another part of the state (just like Baumer Foods did) and/or, at least, left a "token" office here in the city. But don't try to feed me the BS of being in a hurricane prone area, then move to Florida which is in the same "boat"!


I have no problemo with Ruth's, but Lyke's bailout...well...their bacon won't touch my skillet!

I knew someone who worked for Lyke's Line and I'm not sure if they are the same people who are in the food business. But at the time that Lykes moved, I was working for a company associated with the shipping industry and we could all see the writting on the wall regarding the decline of the Port of New Orleans. It's really a shame because back then, New Orleans was the #1 port in the US, and it was just local political shortsightedness that destroyed the business.

[Oyster]

I don't think moving to another part of the state would have had the same "home" effect as right in NO area. May as well move it to a small town in Egypt. Baumer foods is ONE manufacturing site. Ruth's Chris is the largest upscale Steakhouse chain with over 120 locations. Big difference.

Yes, it is the one and only "Lykes" family businesses. They are making the bacon and weinies. They moved from here to Tampa. Haven't heard that Tampa was a bustling #1 port in the US. What Tampa is, is the Lykes operation home base. Perhaps the current management of Ruth's had a home connection in the location they are at now.

Many things contributed to the demise of the US Flag Shipping, not just local politics, although considering the fiasco of the casino development, which is what they cited when them bailed, I agree with that 100%.

[Lucie]

They are a world wide company, does it hurt New Orleans that they left ? It may just hurt our pride because it started here and we lost it to the world, part of our identity. Their headquarters were behind their restaurant on Vets.
The State of Florida offers great incentives for corporations to relocate there. Look up huge businesses located there. Saks 5th Avenue in Boca Raton? I think the head guy lives in Birmingham Alabama. Florida has Great schools, 0 property tax, can't loose your house if you get sued (OJ), same for Texas. Our state is really backward, sorry. Why would these profitable companies stay here if they can increase their revenue by moving to a state, with great beaches ?
Lets imbrace the local steak houses we have. Mr. John's (grhs), Charlie's, Crescent City, etc. These guys recognize the vacuum of Ruth's (grhs), and are stepping up to the plate for us. Mr. John's serves only prime ! What a rare treat. Its not that hard if your a reataurant to order prime grade beef. You pick up the phone and you just order it.

[Oyster]

Really didn't amount to much impact. Not the hundreds of jobs like a company as large as Lykes had, but no one cared. Probably just a handfull of jobs for Ruth's Corp. Alot of sour grapes there.

Now, if you noticed in the news today, Ruth's Chris donated their old location on Broad St. to Tulane U, and they are going to develop a Charity Clinc on the site. Guess working the goodwill. Even had Ruth's picture on the stage for the announcement. Great move!

Has the boycott of Ruth's Chris kept diners away from the two locations in NOLA and Metry?