Ruths Hospitality (RUTH) 10-K 10 Mar 15 2014 FY Annual report Financial data

Document_And_Entity_Informatio

Document And Entity Information (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 01, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Ruths Hospitality Group, Inc.
Document Type	10-K
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-16
Entity Public Float		$431,858,059
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Entity Central Index Key	1324272
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	28-Dec-14
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2014
Document Fiscal Period Focus	FY
Unvested Restricted Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			569,275
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding			34,775,906

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets

Consolidated Balance Sheets (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$4,301,000	$10,586,000
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2014 - $760; 2013 - $779	20,458,000	13,409,000
Inventory	7,206,000	7,913,000
Assets held for sale	15,119,000
Prepaid expenses and other	1,291,000	2,484,000
Deferred income taxes	3,775,000	4,598,000
Total current assets	52,150,000	38,990,000
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 2014 - $114,708; 2013 - $122,691	80,354,000	91,470,000
Goodwill	24,293,000	22,097,000
Deferred income taxes	25,054,000	24,984,000
Other assets	1,704,000	2,260,000
Total assets	218,567,000	228,081,000
Trademarks	118,000	10,276,000
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	13,414,000	14,965,000
Accrued payroll	15,304,000	18,128,000
Accrued expenses	11,065,000	8,457,000
Deferred revenue	34,552,000	31,836,000
Liabilities associated with assets held for sale	4,869,000
Other current liabilities	7,277,000	7,217,000
Total current liabilities	86,481,000	80,603,000
Long-term debt	13,000,000	19,000,000
Deferred rent	19,990,000	23,235,000
Other liabilities	2,785,000	4,590,000
Total liabilities	122,256,000	127,428,000
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)	0	0
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 34,333,858 shares issued and outstanding at December 28, 2014 34,990,170 shares issued and outstanding at December 29, 2013	343,000	350,000
Additional paid-in capital	155,455,000	169,107,000
Accumulated deficit	-59,487,000	-68,804,000
Total shareholders' equity	96,311,000	100,653,000
Total liabilities, and shareholders' equity	218,567,000	228,081,000
Franchise Rights [Member]
Current assets:
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	32,418,000	32,200,000
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Current assets:
Finite-lived intangible assets, net	$2,476,000	$5,804,000

Consolidated_Balance_Sheets_Pa

Consolidated Balance Sheets (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified
Allowance for doubtful accounts (in Dollars)	$760	$779
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation (in Dollars)	114,708	122,691
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	34,333,858	34,990,170
Common stock, shares outstanding	34,333,858	34,990,170
Treasury stock, shares	71,950	71,950
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization (in Dollars)	$2,920	$2,703

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc

Consolidated Statements of Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Revenues:
Restaurant sales	$325,437	$304,200	$292,912
Franchise income	15,763	15,012	13,836
Other operating income	4,897	3,142	3,537
Total revenues	346,097	322,354	310,285
Costs and expenses:
Food and beverage costs	103,259	93,386	92,608
Restaurant operating expenses	156,242	145,664	141,227
Marketing and advertising	10,076	9,341	9,158
General and administrative costs	24,311	27,808	25,612
Depreciation and amortization expenses	10,917	10,229	11,050
Pre-opening costs	1,630	691	540
Loss on impairments	0	0	3,262
Gain on settlements, net	0	-1,719	-683
Total costs and expenses	306,435	285,400	282,774
Operating income	39,662	36,954	27,511
Other income (expense):
Interest expense	-1,159	-1,640	-2,364
Debt issuance costs written-off	0	0	-807
Other	37	-77	-293
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	38,540	35,237	24,047
Income tax expense	11,830	10,744	7,855
Income from continuing operations	26,710	24,493	16,192
Discontinued operations:
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income tax benefit: 2014 ($7,472); 2013-($2,426); 2012-($1,236)	-10,255	-2,004	187
Net income	16,455	22,489	16,379
Preferred stock dividends			514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value			73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed			35,776
Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$16,455	$22,489	($19,984)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$0.76	$0.71	($0.59)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	($0.29)	($0.06)	$0.01
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.47	$0.65	($0.58)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$0.75	$0.69	($0.59)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	($0.29)	($0.06)	$0.01
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.46	$0.63	($0.58)
Shares used in computing earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic (in Shares)	34,955,760	34,761,160	34,313,636
Diluted (in Shares)	35,415,483	35,784,430	34,313,636
Dividends declared per common share (in Dollars per share)	$0.20	$0.12

Consolidated_Statements_of_Inc1

Consolidated Statements of Income (Parentheticals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
IncomP5 (loss) from discontinuP5d opP5rations, incomP5 tax P5xpP5nsP5 (bP5nP5fit)	($7,472)	($2,426)	($1,236)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Sha

Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (USD $)	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total
In Thousands, except Share data	USD ($)	USD ($)	USD ($)		USD ($)
Balance at Dec. 25, 2011	$341	$200,525	($102,880)		$97,986
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 25, 2011	34,150,000			72,000
Net income			16,379		16,379
Preferred stock dividends			-514		-514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-73			-73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of Preferred Shares redeemed		-35,776			-35,776
Shares issued under stock compensation plan	3	406			409
Shares issued under stock compensation plan (in Shares)	284,000
Stock-based compensation		2,322			2,322
Balance at Dec. 30, 2012	344	167,404	-87,015		80,733
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 30, 2012	34,434,000			72,000
Net income			22,489		22,489
Cash dividends			-4,278		-4,278
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)					0
Shares issued under stock compensation plan	6	-1,772			-1,766
Shares issued under stock compensation plan (in Shares)	556,000
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation		1,132			1,132
Stock-based compensation		2,343			2,343
Balance at Dec. 29, 2013	350	169,107	-68,804		100,653
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 29, 2013	34,990,000			72,000
Net income			16,455		16,455
Cash dividends			-7,138		-7,138
Repurchase of common stock	-12	-15,397			-15,409
Repurchase of common stock (in Shares)	-1,244,000				-866,410
Shares issued under stock compensation plan	6	-2,945			-2,939
Shares issued under stock compensation plan (in Shares)	588,000				872,158
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation		1,868			1,868
Stock-based compensation		2,821			2,821
Balance at Dec. 28, 2014	$343	$155,455	($59,487)		$96,311
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 28, 2014	34,334,000			72,000

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Net income	$16,455,000	$22,489,000	$16,379,000
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	13,185,000	13,060,000	14,556,000
Deferred income taxes	753,000	6,093,000	3,224,000
Non-cash interest expense	421,000	421,000	476,000
Debt issuance costs written-off	0	0	807,000
Loss on impairment and asset disposals	15,805,000	3,262,000	4,955,000
Amortization of below market lease	129,000	129,000	129,000
Gain on the settlement of unclaimed property liabilities			-683,000
Stock-based compensation expense	2,821,000	2,343,000	2,322,000
Accounts receivables	-7,049,000	-2,114,000	1,420,000
Inventories	-151,000	8,000	-563,000
Prepaid expenses and other	1,193,000	-621,000	-415,000
Other assets	200,000	225,000	48,000
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-2,669,000	3,036,000	7,931,000
Deferred revenue	2,717,000	622,000	1,132,000
Deferred rent	50,000	-1,123,000	1,321,000
Other liabilities	-512,000	-34,000	285,000
Net cash provided by operating activities	43,348,000	47,796,000	53,324,000
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	-17,365,000	-15,311,000	-11,457,000
Acquisition of franchise restaurant, net of cash acquired	-2,800,000
Proceeds on disposal of property and equipment	149,000	1,104,000	161,000
Net cash used in investing activities	-20,016,000	-14,207,000	-11,296,000
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal repayments on long-term debt	-32,000,000	-32,500,000	-47,000,000
Principal borrowings on long-term debt	26,000,000	6,500,000	70,000,000
Repurchase of common stock	-15,409,000
Redemption of Series A 10% redeemable convertible preferred stock			-59,740,000
Cash dividend payments	-7,138,000	-4,278,000	-1,103,000
Excess tax benefits from stock compensation	1,868,000	1,132,000	16,000
Tax payments from the vesting of restricted stock and option exercises	-3,121,000	-1,974,000
Deferred financing costs	0	0	-610,000
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	183,000	208,000	393,000
Net cash used in financing activities	-29,617,000	-30,912,000	-38,044,000
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	-6,285,000	2,677,000	3,984,000
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	10,586,000	7,909,000	3,925,000
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	4,301,000	10,586,000	7,909,000
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	709,000	1,272,000	1,983,000
Income taxes	2,135,000	2,383,000	2,643,000
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Excess accrual-based acquisition of property and equipment	$1,243,000	$1,213,000	($117,000)

Consolidated_Statements_of_Cas1

Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Parentheticals)	0 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 08, 2012	Dec. 30, 2012
Redeemable convertible preferred stock	10.00%	10.00%

Note_1_The_Company_Organizatio

Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]	(1) The Company, Organization and Description of Business
	Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (the Company) operate Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants and sell franchise rights to Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchisees giving the franchisees the exclusive right to operate similar restaurants in a particular area designated in the franchise agreement.
	At December 28, 2014, there were 143 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, of which 65 were Company-owned, 77 were franchisee-owned, and one location was operating under a management agreement. All Company-owned restaurants are located in the United States. The franchisee-owned restaurants include 20 international restaurants in Aruba, Canada, China (Hong Kong and Shanghai), El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates. A Ruth’s Chris Steak House located at Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, NC operates under a management agreement between the Company and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. Six new Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations opened during fiscal year 2014, including three Company-owned restaurants and three franchisee-owned restaurants. The Company opened three new Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants in 2014 – one in Denver, CO in January, one in Gaithersburg, MD in October, and one in Marina del Rey, CA in November. In February 2014, the Company acquired a franchisee-owned restaurant located in Austin, TX.
	As of December 28, 2014, the Company also operated eighteen Mitchell’s Fish Markets and three Mitchell’s/Cameron’s Steakhouse restaurants (collectively, the Mitchell’s Restaurants), located primarily in the Midwest and Florida. On January 21, 2015, the Company sold the Mitchell’s Restaurants to a third party. For financial reporting purposes, the Mitchell’s Restaurants are classified as a discontinued operation for all periods presented and, as of December 28, 2014, the assets and liabilities are classified as held for sale. See Notes 3, 4 and 5 for additional information regarding the Mitchell’s Restaurants and the sale.
	The following table summarizes the changes in the number of Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants and franchisee-owned restaurants during the thirteen and fifty-two weeks ended December 28, 2014.
		13 Weeks Ending												52 Weeks Ending
		28-Dec-14												28-Dec-14
	Ruth's Chris Steak House	Company			Franchised			Managed			Total			Company			Franchised			Managed			Total
	Beginning of period		63			76			1			140			63			75			1			139
	Acquired		0			0			0			0			1			0			0			1
	Sold		0			0			0			0			0			1			0			1
	New		2			1			0			3			3			3			0			6
	Closed		0			0			0			0			2			0			0			2
	End of period		65			77			1			143			65			77			1			143
	% of total		45	%		54	%		1	%		100	%		45	%		54	%		1	%		100	%

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block]	(2) Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	(a) Basis of Presentation
	The Company utilizes a 52- or 53-week reporting period ending on the last Sunday of December. The periods ended December 28, 2014 (fiscal year 2014) and December 29, 2013 (fiscal year 2013) each had a 52-week reporting period. The period ended December 30, 2012 (fiscal year 2012) had a 53-week reporting period. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the financial statements of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Most significantly, the results of the Mitchell’s Restaurants have been reclassified as a discontinued operation.
	(b) Change in Accounting for Gift Card Breakage
	The portion of gift cards sold to customers which are never redeemed is commonly referred to as gift card breakage. Prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company recognized breakage revenue using the delayed method of accounting. At the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company elected to change its policy for recognizing gift card breakage revenue by changing from the delayed method to the preferable redemption method of accounting. Under the redemption method, breakage revenue is recognized and the gift card liability is derecognized for unredeemed gift cards in proportion to actual gift card redemptions. The impact of the cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 was to reduce gift card breakage revenue by $2.2 million. Inclusive of this adjustment, the Company recognized $804 thousand of gift card breakage revenue in fiscal year 2013. Gift card breakage revenue recognized in fiscal years 2014 and 2012 was $2.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively. Consistent with the cumulative catch-up method of accounting for a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle, previously issued financial statements were not revised.
	(c) Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity,” (ASU 2014-08), which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 requires that an entity report as a discontinued operation only a disposal that represents a strategic shift in operations that has a major effect on its operations and financial results. ASU 2014-08 is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The Company believes that the new guidance will not have a material impact on the consolidated results of operations or on the financial position, except that individual restaurants closed after the adoption of the guidance will generally not be classified as discontinued operations.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” (ASU 2014-09), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
	(d) Contingencies
	The Company recognizes liabilities for contingencies when there is an exposure that indicates it is both probable that an asset has been impaired or that a liability has been incurred and that the amount of impairment or loss can be reasonably estimated.
	(e) Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of the consolidated financial statements, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company has included outstanding checks totaling $7.6 million and $10.1 million at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively, in “Accounts payable” and “Accrued payroll” in the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in such amounts are reflected in cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
	(f) AccountsReceivable
	Accounts receivable consists primarily of bank credit cards receivable, landlord contributions, franchise royalty payments receivable, banquet billings receivable and other miscellaneous receivables.
	(g) Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company performs a specific review of account balances and applies historical collection experience to the various aging categories of receivable balances in establishing an allowance.
	(h)Inventories
	Inventories consist of food, beverages and supplies and are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.
	(i)Propertyand Equipment, net
	Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for improvements and major renewals are capitalized and minor replacement, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for assets are as follows: Building and Building Improvements, 20 to 40 years; Equipment, 5 years; Furniture and Fixtures, 5 to 7 years; Computer Equipment, 3 to 5 years; and Leasehold Improvements, 5 to 20 years (limited by the lease term).
	(j) Goodwill, FranchiseRights and Trademarks
	Goodwill and trademarks acquired in a purchase business combination that are determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.” Goodwill and trademarks are tested annually for impairment on a reporting unit basis and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. For purposes of testing goodwill impairment, a reporting unit is defined as a group of restaurants with similar economic characteristics. For purposes of testing trademark impairment, a reporting unit is defined as a group of acquired restaurants sharing a common trade name. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the financial statement carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value.
	Franchise rights acquired prior to 2008 in a purchase business combination that are determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but are tested for impairment at least annually on a reporting unit basis, which is defined as a group of reacquired restaurants, and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company allows and expects franchisees to renew agreements indefinitely ensuring consistent cash flows. As a result, acquired franchise rights are determined to have indefinite useful lives. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. Franchise rights acquired after 2007 are no longer considered to have indefinite useful lives and are amortized in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350.
	(k) Impairmentor Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
	In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360-10, “Property, Plant and Equipment—Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” (Topic 360-10), long lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the financial statement carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Key assumptions in the determination of fair value are the future after-tax cash flows of the restaurant and discount rate. The after-tax cash flows incorporate reasonable sales growth and margin improvement assumptions that would be expected by a franchisee in the determination of a purchase price for the restaurant. Estimates of future cash flows are highly subjective judgments and can be significantly impacted by changes in the business or economic conditions. The discount rate used in the fair value calculations is our estimate of the required rate of return that a market participant would expect to receive when purchasing a similar restaurant or groups of restaurants and the related long-lived assets. The discount rate incorporates rates of returns for historical refranchising market transactions and is commensurate with the risks and uncertainty inherent in the forecasted cash flows.
	The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale are presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the consolidated balance sheets. Assets are classified as held for sale when certain criteria are met, including the requirement that it is probable that the assets will be disposed of within one year. Assets classified as held for sale are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. We account for exit or disposal activities, including restaurant closures, in accordance with Topic 360-10. Such costs include the cost of disposing of the assets as well as other facility-related expenses from previously closed restaurants. These costs are generally expensed as incurred. Additionally, at the date we cease using a property under an operating lease, we record a liability under FASB ASC Topic 420, “Exit and Disposal Cost Obligations” for the net present value of any remaining lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income. Any subsequent adjustments to that liability as a result of lease termination or changes in estimates of sublease income are recorded in the period incurred. Upon disposal of the assets associated with a closed restaurant, any gain or loss is recorded in the same line within our consolidated statements of income as the original impairment.
	(l) Deferred Financing Costs
	Deferred financing costs represent fees paid in connection with obtaining bank and other long-term financing. The Company paid financing costs of $0, $0, and $610 thousand in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and amortizes these costs using a method that approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related financing. Amortization of deferred financing costs was $421 thousand, $421 thousand, and $476 thousand in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and is included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income. As a result of the February 2012 amendment to the senior credit facility, $807 thousand of previously deferred financing costs were written off because of a change in the participants of the lending group.
	(m)Revenues
	Revenues are derived principally from food and beverage sales. The Company does not rely on any major customers as a source of revenue.
	Revenue from restaurant sales is recognized when food and beverage products are sold. Restaurant sales are presented net of sales taxes and discounts. Gratuities remitted by customers for the benefit of restaurant staff are not included in either revenues or operating expenses. Deferred revenue primarily represents the Company’s liability for gift cards that have been sold but not yet redeemed. When the gift cards are redeemed, the Company recognizes restaurant sales and reduces the deferred revenue liability. Company issued gift cards redeemed at franchisee-owned restaurants reduce the deferred revenue liability but do not result in Company restaurant sales. Gift card transactions involving franchisees are settled on a monthly basis through the Company’s third party gift card provider. The expected redemption value of gift cards represents the full value of all gift cards issued less the amount the Company has recognized as other operating income for gift cards that are not expected to be redeemed. Gift card breakage revenue is classified as a component of other operating income.
	(n) International Revenues
	The Company currently has 20 international franchisee-owned restaurants in Aruba, Canada, China, El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates. In accordance with its franchise agreements relating to these international restaurants, the Company receives royalty revenue from these franchisees in U.S. dollars. Franchise fee revenues from international restaurants were $3.2 million, $3.0 million and $2.7 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
	(o) Rent
	Certain of the Company’s operating leases contain predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rent during the term of the lease. For these leases, the Company recognizes the related rent expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease and records the difference between amounts charged to operations and amounts paid as deferred rent.
	Additionally, certain of the Company’s operating leases contain clauses that provide additional contingent rent based on a percentage of sales greater than certain specified target amounts. The Company recognizes contingent rent expense prior to the achievement of the specified target that triggers the contingent rent, provided achievement of that target is considered probable.
	(p)Marketingand Advertising
	Marketing and advertising expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income include advertising expenses of $6.1 million, $6.1 million and $5.8 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
	(q)InsuranceLiability
	The Company maintains various policies for workers’ compensation, employee health, general liability and property damage. Pursuant to those policies, the Company is responsible for losses up to certain limits. The Company records liabilities for the estimated exposure for aggregate losses below those limits. The recorded liabilities are based on estimates of the ultimate costs to be incurred to settle known claims and claims incurred but not reported as of the balance sheet date. The estimated liabilities are not discounted and are based on a number of assumptions and factors, including historical trends, actuarial assumptions and economic conditions. Independent actuaries are used to develop estimates of the workers’ compensation, general and employee health care liabilities.
	(r) Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic, “Compensation—Stock Compensation, (Topic 718). Stock-based compensation cost includes compensation cost for all share-based payments granted based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of Topic 718. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period of each award.
	(s) Pre-OpeningCosts
	Pre-opening costs incurred with the opening of new restaurants are expensed as incurred. These costs include rent expense, wages, benefits, travel and lodging for the training and opening management teams, and food, beverage and other restaurant operating expenses incurred prior to a restaurant opening for business.
	(t) IncomeTaxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (Topic 740). Topic 740 requires that a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return be recognized (or derecognized) in the financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
	(u) EarningsPer Share
	Basic earnings per common share is computed under the two-class method in accordance with ” FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Under the two-class method, a portion of net income is allocated to participating securities, such as the Company’s preferred stock, and therefore is excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share allocated to common shares. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing the net income applicable to preferred and common shareholders for the period by the weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Net income, in both the basic and diluted earnings per common share calculations, is reduced by the Company’s preferred stock dividends and accretion of the Company’s preferred stock to its redemption value to arrive at net income applicable to common and preferred shareholders.
	(v) Restaurant Acquisition
	In February 2014, the Company acquired the Austin, TX Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant and franchise rights from the franchisee owner for $2.8 million in cash. The acquisition price was allocated as follows: goodwill $2.2 million; property and equipment $259 thousand; and other assets $368 thousand. Allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition was based on estimates of the fair value of the net assets acquired. The revenues and expenses of the acquired restaurant are included in the consolidated statement of income from the date of the acquisition.

Note_3_Mitchells_Restaurants

Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants [Line Items]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	(4) Discontinued Operations
	The Company accounts for its closed restaurants in accordance with the provisions of Topic 360-10. Therefore, when a restaurant is closed or the restaurant is either held for sale or abandoned, the restaurant’s operations are eliminated from the ongoing operations. Accordingly, the operations of such restaurants, net of applicable income taxes, are presented as discontinued operations and prior period operations of such restaurants, net of applicable income taxes, are reclassified. Upon the adoption of ASU 2014-08, effective with fiscal year 2015 financial reporting, individual restaurants which are closed after December 2014 will not be classified as discontinued operations. For fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, all impairment charges, loss on disposal and remeasurement of lease liabilities along with restaurant sales, direct recurring costs and expenses and income taxes attributable to restaurants classified as discontinued operations have been aggregated to a single caption entitled income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit) in the consolidated statements of income for all periods presented. Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax expense (benefit) is comprised of the following (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year
		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues
	Mitchell's Restaurants	$	73,974		$	75,925		$	77,197
	Other Restaurants		3,386			9,176			11,107
	Total revenues		77,360			85,101			88,304
	Costs and expenses
	Recurring costs and expenses
	Mitchell's Restaurants		73,852			75,396			76,502
	Other Restaurants		4,115			9,594			11,157
	Impairment losses
	Mitchell's Restaurants		15,295			2,512			-
	Other Restaurants		-			750			1,693
	Loss on pending sale of Mitchell's Restaurants		1,825			-			-
	Gain on settlement - Mitchell's Restaurants		-			(437	)		-
	Remeasurement of lease exit liability		-			1,716			-
	Total costs and expenses		95,087			89,531			89,352
	Loss before income taxes		(17,727	)		(4,430	)		(1,048	)
	Income tax benefit		(7,472	)		(2,426	)		(1,236	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(10,255	)	$	(2,004	)	$	187
	In addition to the Mitchell’s Restaurants, discontinued operations for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 also includes the results of the other closed restaurants. Due to an expiring lease term, the Company closed the Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Kansas City, MO in March 2014 after seventeen years of operation. Due to an expiring lease term, the Company closed the Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant in Phoenix, AZ in March 2013 after 27 years of operation. As the closing of these restaurants coincided with the termination of the lease agreements, the Company did not incur significant expenses related to closing these locations. Due to local market conditions and disappointing financial results, the Company negotiated early terminations of the facility leases for the Stamford, CT Mitchell’s Fish Market restaurant, which closed in March 2014, and the Providence, RI Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant, which closed in September 2014. The Company recognized impairment losses of $750 thousand and $1.7 million in fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively, related to the Stamford, CT Mitchell’s Fish Market restaurant.
	The Company accounts for the exit costs in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 420, “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations,” which requires that such costs be expensed in the periods when such costs are incurred. All of the losses incurred are included in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. In August 2005, the Company ceased operations at its location near the United Nations in Manhattan. The Company has remaining lease commitments of $0.6 million per fiscal year through September 2016. The Company entered into a sublease agreement in April 2011 in order to recover some of the amounts due under the remaining lease term. As of December 30, 2012, the Company had recorded a contingent lease liability of $0.8 million related to this property which was net of a contra-liability for the present value of anticipated sublease income. In March 2013, the subtenant vacated the property. The Company has commenced legal proceedings to recover all amounts due from the subtenant. Loss from discontinued operations for fiscal year 2013 includes the impact of the re-measurement of the Company’s lease exit costs. The re-measurement included (a) the write-off of the contra liability for the present value of anticipated sublease income and (b) the write-off of past due rent and utility amounts owed by the subtenant. The loss before income taxes on discontinued operations for fiscal year 2013 includes $1.2 million from the location near the United Nations in Manhattan. As of December 28, 2014, the recorded contingent lease liability was $1.2 million.
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member]
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants [Line Items]
Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]	(3) Mitchell’s Restaurants
	As of December 28, 2014, the Company operated eighteen Mitchell’s Fish Markets and three Mitchell’s/Cameron’s Steakhouse restaurants (collectively, the Mitchell’s Restaurants).
	During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company reassessed its asset grouping specific to the Mitchell’s Restaurants under Topic 360 and concluded that it was appropriate to change the asset group from the individual restaurant unit to the set of Mitchell’s Restaurants. As a result of the reassessment, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred requiring an impairment evaluation of its trademarks and long-lived assets. Consequently, during the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company recorded an impairment loss aggregating to $15.3 million. Specifically, the Company recorded a $7.3 million impairment loss related to trademark intangible assets and an $8.0 million impairment loss related to long-lived assets (primarily leasehold improvements). The impairment of both the trademark intangible assets and the long-lived assets was measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount of assets exceeded fair value. Fair value was estimated based on both the market and income approaches utilizing market participant assumptions reflecting all available information as of the September 28, 2014 balance sheet date. These impairment losses have been reclassified to discontinued operations.
	In November 2014, the Company and Landry’s, Inc. and Mitchell’s Entertainment, Inc., an affiliate of Landry’s Inc. (together with Landry’s Inc., Landry’s), entered into an asset purchase agreement (the Agreement). Pursuant to the Agreement, the Company agreed to sell the Mitchell’s Restaurants and related assets to Landry’s for $10 million. The sale of the Mitchell’s Restaurants closed on January 21, 2015. The assets sold consisted primarily of leasehold interests, leasehold improvements, restaurant equipment and furnishings, inventory, and related intangible assets, including brand names and trademarks associated with the 21 Mitchell’s Restaurants. The assets and related liabilities of the Mitchell’s Restaurants are classified as held for sale in the consolidated balance sheet as of December 28, 2014. The results of operations, impairment charges and loss on assets held for sale have been classified as discontinued operations in the consolidated statements of income for all periods presented. No amounts for shared general and administrative costs or interest expense were allocated to discontinued operations. Substantially all direct cash flows related to operating these restaurants were eliminated at the closing date of the sale. The Company’s continuing involvement will be limited to transition services up to four months with minimal impact on cash flows.
	During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company recorded a loss on assets held for sale calculated as follows (in thousands):
	Selling price	$	10,000
	Reduction of deferred rent liability		4,869
	Assets sold
	Property and equipment, net		(8,910	)
	Trademarks		(2,847	)
	Other Intangibles		(2,670	)
	Inventory		(952	)
	Other liabilities incurred		(350	)
	Selling costs		(965	)
	Loss on pending sale	$	(1,825	)
	Under the terms of the Agreement, Landry’s assumed the Mitchell’s Restaurants’ facility lease obligations and the Company will reimburse Landry’s for gift cards that are sold prior to the closing date and used at the Mitchell’s Restaurants during the eighteen months following the closing date. In the Agreement, the Company and Landry’s have made customary representations and warranties and have agreed to customary covenants relating to the sale of the Mitchell’s Restaurants. Specifically, (i) before the closing date, the Company was subject to certain business conduct restrictions with respect to its operation of the Mitchell’s Restaurants, and (ii) for eighteen months following the closing date, neither the Company nor Landry’s will knowingly solicit or employ, or seek to solicit or employ, certain key employees of the other party, subject to certain limited exceptions. Landry’s offered employment to substantially all of the employees of the Mitchell’s Restaurants. The Company and Landry’s have agreed to indemnify each other for losses arising from certain breaches of the Agreement and for certain other liabilities.
	The following summarizes the financial statement carrying amounts of assets and liabilities associated with the Mitchell’s Restaurants which are classified as held for sale as of December 28, 2014 (in thousands):
	Inventory	$	952
	Property and equipment, net		8,775
	Trademarks		2,847
	Other intangibles		2,545
	Total assets held for sale	$	15,119
	Deferred rent liability	$	4,869
	Total liabilities associated with assets held for sale	$	4,869

Note_5_Fair_Value_Measurements

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements

12 Months Ended

Dec. 28, 2014

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block]

(5) Fair Value Measurements

Fair value is defined under FASB ASC Topic 820, “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures” (Topic 820), as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in the principal or most advantageous market in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. Topic 820 also establishes a three-level hierarchy, which requires an entity to maximize the use of observable inputs and minimize the use of unobservable inputs when measuring fair value.

The valuation hierarchy is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation of an asset or liability on the measurement date. The three levels of inputs are:

•

Level 1—quoted prices (unadjusted) for an identical asset or liability in an active market.

•

Level 2—quoted prices for a similar asset or liability in an active market or model-derived valuations in which all significant inputs are observable for substantially the full term of the asset or liability.

•

Level 3—unobservable and significant to the fair value measurement of the asset or liability.

The following were used to estimate the fair value of each class of financial instruments:

•

The carrying amount of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities are a reasonable estimate of their fair values due to their short duration.

•

Borrowings under the senior credit facility as of December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013 have variable interest rates that reflect currently available terms and conditions for similar debt. The carrying amount of this debt is a reasonable estimate of its fair value (Level 2).

The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of the end of fiscal years 2014 and 2013 were as follows (in thousands):

Fair Value as of December 28, 2014

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Total Losses on Impairment

Valuation Method

Long-lived assets held for sale

$

11,320

$

-

$

11,320

$

9,809

Market approach

Fair Value as of December 29, 2013

Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Total Losses on Impairment

Valuation Method

Long-lived assets held and used

$

-

$

-

$

-

$

2,112

Income approach

Fair Value as of December 28, 2014

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Total Losses on Impairment

Valuation Method

Trademarks held for sale

$

2,847

$

2,847

$

7,311

Income approach

Fair Value as of December 29, 2013

Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)

Total Losses on Impairment

Valuation Method

Trademarks

$

-

$

-

$

400

Income approach

Losses on these assets are recorded as loss on impairment in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. When the operating results of closed or sold restaurants are reclassified to discontinued operations, the impairment losses related to the assets of those closed or sold restaurants are also reclassified to discontinued operations. See Notes 6 and 7 for a description of the valuation techniques used to measure fair value of intangibles and long-lived assets, as well as information used to develop the inputs to the fair value measurements. Total losses on impairment include losses recognized from all non-recurring fair value measurements during each of the fiscal years.

Note_6_Goodwill_Franchise_Righ

Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Text Block]	(6) Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks
	During the fourth quarter of each year, the Company completes an analysis to determine if goodwill and certain intangible assets are impaired as of the balance sheet date. The Company bases its fair value estimates on assumptions it believes to be reasonable, but which are inherently uncertain.
	Franchise Rights
	In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, owned franchise rights that have been determined to have indefinite lives must be reviewed for potential impairment annually and when triggering events are detected. No impairment charges related to franchise rights were recognized in fiscal years 2014, 2013 or 2012.
	To determine the fair value of acquired franchise rights, the Company used a multi-period excess earnings approach. This approach involves projecting after-royalty future earnings, discounting those earnings using an appropriate market discount rate and subtracting a contributory charge for net working capital, property and equipment, assembled workforce and customer relationships to arrive at excess earnings attributable to these franchise rights. The Company calculated the present value of cash flows generated from future excess earnings and determined that the fair values exceeded the financial statement carrying value as of December 28, 2014.
	Trademarks
	In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350, owned trademarks that have been determined to have indefinite lives must be reviewed for potential impairment annually and when triggering events are detected. To determine the fair value of the Mitchell’s trademarks, including Mitchell’s Fish Market, Columbus Fish Market, Mitchell’s Steakhouse and Cameron’s Steakhouse, the Company used a relief-from-royalty valuation approach. This approach assumes that in lieu of ownership, a third party would be willing to pay a royalty in order to exploit the related benefits of these types of assets. This approach is dependent on a number of factors, including estimates of future revenue growth and trends, royalty rates in the category of intellectual property, discount rates and other variables. The Company did not perform an impairment test as of December 28, 2014, as the Mitchell’s trademarks were recorded as assets held for sale (lower of carrying amount or fair value, less costs to sell).
	As discussed in Note (3), during the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, a $7.3 impairment loss related to the trademarks of the Mitchell’s Restaurants was recorded. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, a $400 thousand loss on impairment of an ancillary trademark not expected to be used was recorded.  No impairment charge related to trademarks was recognized in fiscal year 2012.
	Goodwill
	No impairment charges related to goodwill were recognized in fiscal years 2014, 2013 or 2012. Goodwill increased $2.2 million during fiscal year 2014 due to the acquisition of the Austin, TX Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant.
	In performing the fiscal year 2014 evaluation of goodwill impairment under FASB ASC Topic 350-20 Step 1, the Company compared the carrying value of the reporting unit, which is considered to be the steakhouse operating segment, to its fair value. Consistent with the valuation of restaurant operations, the Company utilized a multiple of EBITDA to approximate the fair value of the reporting unit for purposes of completing Step 1 of the evaluation. The Company considered EBITDA multiples of publicly held companies, including its own, as well as recent industry acquisitions. For reporting units whose estimated fair value exceeded its carrying value, no impairment is recorded. As of December 28, 2014, the estimated fair values of all reporting units substantially exceeded their respective carrying values.
	If a reporting unit’s fair value did not exceed its carrying value as the balance sheet date, the Company would have completed Step 2 of the evaluation by comparing the implied fair value of goodwill with the net asset value of the reporting unit. The Company would have calculated the implied fair value by allocating the fair value of a reporting unit to all of its assets and liabilities as if the reporting unit had been acquired in a business combination and the fair value of the reporting unit was the price paid to acquire the unit.
	The financial statement carrying values of the Company’s franchise rights, trademarks and goodwill were as follows (amounts in thousands):
				Franchise Rights			Trademarks
	Balance as of December 29, 2013			$	32,200		$	10,276
	Balance as of December 28, 2014			$	32,418		$	118
		Gross Goodwill		Accumulated Impairment Losses			Net Carrying Value of Goodwill
	Balance as of December 29, 2013	$	55,469	$	(33,372	)	$	22,097
	Balance as of December 28, 2014	$	57,665	$	(33,372	)	$	24,293
	Any losses are included in “loss on impairment” in the accompanying consolidated statements of income. When the operating results of closed or sold restaurants are reclassified to discontinued operations, the impairment losses related to the assets of those closed or sold restaurants are also reclassified to discontinued operations.

Note_7_Property_and_Equipment_

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment Disclosure [Text Block]	(7) Property and Equipment, net
	Property and equipment consists of the following (amounts in thousands):
		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	917		$	917
	Building and building improvements		24,175			23,760
	Equipment		31,458			33,066
	Computer equipment		9,735			11,518
	Furniture and fixtures		16,583			18,946
	Automobiles		27			27
	Leasehold improvements		108,061			121,768
	Construction-in-progress		4,106			4,159
			195,062			214,161
	Less accumulated depreciation		(114,708	)		(122,691	)
		$	80,354		$	91,470
	As discussed in Note (3), during the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company recognized an $8.0 million impairment loss on long-lived assets (primarily leasehold improvements) related to Mitchell’s Restaurants. In addition, during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company recognized a $1.8 million loss on the pending sale related to Mitchell’s Restaurants. During fiscal year 2013, the Company recognized a $2.1 million impairment loss due to a decline in the estimated fair value of one restaurant’s assets (primarily leasehold improvements). The decline in estimated fair value was attributable to decreases in that restaurant’s projected profitability. During fiscal year 2012, the Company recognized an impairment loss on two restaurants aggregating $4.7 million. These impairments were recorded due to declines in the estimated fair value of the assets (which consist primarily of leasehold improvements). The declines in estimated fair value were primarily attributable to management’s assessment that the expected remaining lease terms would be shortened. Management reviewed the lease terms and cash flows of these restaurants and determined that it was not likely that the lease terms would be extended under the existing lease agreements. Additionally, a $395 thousand impairment loss was recognized during fiscal year 2012 on an owned property which was sold to a third party in February 2013. Impairment losses are reclassified to discontinued operations when the restaurant is closed, sold or held for sale.

Note_8_Longterm_Debt

Note 8 - Long-term Debt	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt Disclosure [Text Block]	(8) Long-term Debt
	Long-term debt consists of the following (amounts in thousands):
		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013
	Senior Credit Facility:
	Revolving credit facility	$	13,000	$	19,000
	Less current maturities		-		-
		$	13,000	$	19,000
	As of December 28, 2014, the Company had an aggregate of $13 million of outstanding indebtedness under its senior credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 4.16% with approximately $82.8 million of borrowings available, net of outstanding letters of credit of approximately $4.2 million. The 4.16% weighted average interest rate includes a 2.19% interest rate on outstanding indebtedness, plus fees on the Company’s unused borrowing capacity and outstanding letters of credit.
	On February 14, 2012, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, as administrative agent, and certain other lenders (the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement allows for loan advances plus outstanding letters of credit of up to $100.0 million to be outstanding at any time that the conditions for borrowings are met. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement has a maturity date of February 14, 2017. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement sets the interest rates applicable to borrowings based on the Company’s actual leverage ratio, ranging (a) from 2.00% to 2.75% above the applicable LIBOR rate or (b) at the Company’s option, from 1.00% to 1.75% above the applicable base rate.
	The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary covenants and restrictions, including, but not limited to: (1) prohibitions on incurring additional indebtedness and from guaranteeing obligations of others; (2) prohibitions on creating, incurring, assuming or permitting to exist any lien on or with respect to any property or asset; (3) limitations on the Company’s ability to enter into joint ventures, acquisitions and other investments; (4) prohibitions on directly or indirectly creating or becoming liable with respect to certain contingent liabilities; and (5) restrictions on directly or indirectly declaring, ordering, paying, or making any restricted junior payments. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25:1.00 and the maximum leverage ratio of 2.50:1.00. The agreement was amended in May 2013 to reset the limit applicable to junior stock payments, which include both cash dividend payments and repurchase of common and preferred stock. Junior stock payments made subsequent to December 30, 2012 through the end of the agreement are limited to $100 million; $26.8 million of such payments had been made as of December 28, 2014. The Company’s obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by each of its existing and future subsidiaries and are secured by substantially all of its assets and a pledge of the capital stock of its subsidiaries. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes customary events of default. As of December 28, 2014, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.
	As a result of the February 2012 amendment, $100 thousand of legal fees were incurred in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012. In addition, $807 thousand of previously deferred debt issuance costs were written off because of a change in the participants of the lending group.

Note_9_Leases

Note 9 - Leases	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Leases of Lessee Disclosure [Text Block]	(9) Leases
	At December 28, 2014, all of the Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants operated in leased premises, with the exception of the restaurants in Columbus, OH and Ft. Lauderdale, FL, which were owned properties, and the restaurants in Anaheim, CA, Lake Mary, FL, Princeton, NJ and South Barrington, IL, which operate on leased land. The Mitchell’s Fish Market and Mitchell’s Steakhouse restaurants all operated in leased premises. The leases generally provide for minimum annual rental payments and are subject to escalations based, in some cases, upon increases in the Consumer Price Index, real estate taxes and other costs. In addition, certain leases contain contingent rental provisions based upon the sales at the underlying restaurants. Certain leases also provide for rent deferral during the initial term of such lease and/or scheduled minimum rent increases during the terms of the leases. For financial reporting purposes, rent expense is recorded on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease. Accordingly, included in liabilities in the accompanying consolidated balance sheets at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013 are accruals related to such rent deferrals and the pro rata portion of scheduled rent increases of approximately $20.0 million and $23.2 million, respectively, net of the current portion included in other current liabilities $2.0 million and $2.1 million, respectively.
	In December 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to terminate a restaurant facility operating lease in March 2014. The $750 thousand agreed-upon payment, which was made in January 2014, was accounted for as lease termination penalty expense during the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013.
	The Company also leases certain restaurant-related equipment under non-cancellable operating lease agreements with third parties, which are included with leased premises in future minimum annual rental commitments.
	Future minimum annual rental commitments under operating leases as of December 28, 2014 are as follows (in thousands):
		Mitchell's		All		Company
		Restaurants		Other		Total
	2015	$	5,487	$	20,638	$	26,125
	2016		5,568		20,341		25,910
	2017		5,109		18,873		23,982
	2018		4,986		17,310		22,296
	2019		4,894		16,055		20,949
	Thereafter		41,542		117,735		159,277
		$	67,586	$	210,952	$	278,539
	The recognized financial accounting lease liabilities pertaining to the Mitchell’s Restaurants are included in the liabilities associated with assets held for sale caption. Pursuant to the terms of the Agreement, upon closing of the sale of the Mitchell’s Restaurants, Landry’s assumed the lease obligations of the Mitchell’s Restaurants. However, the Company has guaranteed Landry’s lease obligations aggregating $40.2 million under nine of the leases. The Company did not record a financial accounting liability for the lease guarantees, because the likelihood of Landry’s defaulting on the lease agreements was deemed to be remote. Landry’s also indemnified the Company in the event of a default under any of the leases. The Company did record a $250 thousand liability for its letter of credit obligation related to one of the leases.
	Rental expense consists of the following and is included in restaurant operating expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year
		2014		2013		2012
	Minimum rentals	$	17,647	$	16,424	$	16,732
	Contingent rentals		2,558		2,456		2,335
		$	20,205	$	18,880	$	19,067

Note_10_Franchise_Operations

Note 10 - Franchise Operations	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Franchise Income [Abstract]
Franchise Income [Text Block]	(10) Franchise Operations
	The Company franchises Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants. The Company executes franchise agreements for each franchisee-owned restaurant, which sets out the terms of its arrangement with the franchisee. The franchise agreements typically require the franchisee to pay an initial, non-refundable fee and continuing fees based upon a percentage of sales. The Company collects ongoing royalties of 5% of sales at franchisee-owned restaurants plus a 1% advertising fee applied to national advertising expenditures. The Company is not required to perform any services for the ongoing royalties and thus these royalties are recognized when the royalties are due from the franchisee on a monthly basis. These ongoing royalties are reflected in the accompanying consolidated statements of income as franchise income. The 1% advertising fee is not recorded as revenue, but rather is recorded as a liability against which specified advertising and marketing costs are charged.
	The Company executes an area development agreement with franchisees that gives each franchisee exclusive rights to develop a specific number of restaurants within a specified area. The Company receives a development fee at the time that an area development agreement is executed. The development fee is recognized as revenue as franchisee-owned restaurants are opened. The Company also executes separate, site-specific franchise agreements for each restaurant developed by a franchisee under an area development agreement. The Company charges a site-specific fee at the time the franchise agreement is executed. This fee is related to construction assistance and consulting regarding operating procedures and purchasing. These services are performed prior to the restaurant opening. The Company recognizes the site-specific franchise fee when the related restaurant opens.
	The Company currently has 77 franchisee-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, including 20 international restaurants. In January 2013, the Company signed an agreement with the Ko Group for the development of four new franchised Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants to be opened in the People’s Republic of China over three years. Three new franchisee-owned restaurants opened in fiscal year 2014 – one in Boise, ID in February, one in Panama City, Panama in September and one in Taipei, Taiwan in December. During fiscal year 2013, four new Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchise locations opened, including a second franchisee-owned restaurant located in San Juan in April 2013, a franchisee-owned restaurant located in Chattanooga, TN in July 2013, a location in Las Vegas, NV operating under a license agreement with the Company and a franchisee-owned restaurant located in Shanghai in December 2013. One of two franchisee-owned restaurants located in Dubai was closed in July 2013. During fiscal year 2012, the Company opened four franchisee-owned restaurants in Dubai, Singapore, San Salvador and Niagara Falls, Ontario. In February 2014, the Company acquired a franchisee-owned restaurant located in Austin, TX. No franchisee-owned restaurants were sold or purchased during fiscal years 2013 or 2012. Franchise income includes opening and development fees and income generated from existing franchisee-owned restaurants. The Company classifies franchise income separately in the consolidated statements of income (in thousands):
		Fiscal Year
		2014		2013		2012
	Franchise income:
	Income from existing franchise locations	$	15,598	$	14,612	$	13,436
	Opening and development fee income		165		400		400
	Total franchise income:	$	15,763	$	15,012	$	13,836

Note_11_Gain_on_Settlements_Co

Note 11 - Gain on Settlements, Commitments and Contingencies	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]	(11) Gain on Settlements, Commitments and Contingencies
	During the third quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company settled two loss claims asserted by the Company which previously arose and recognized an aggregate gain of $2.2 million, net of fees incurred. Approximately $437 thousand of the gain related to Mitchell’s Restaurants and has been reclassified to discontinued operations. The majority of the gain pertained to compensation for the Company’s lost operating income awarded by the claims administrator pursuant to the settlement agreement reached in litigation related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico.
	The Company is subject to various claims, possible legal actions and other matters arising in the normal course of business. Management does not expect disposition of these other matters to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company. The Company expenses legal fees as incurred.
	The legislation and regulations related to tax and unclaimed property matters are complex and subject to varying interpretations by both government authorities and taxpayers. The Company remits a variety of taxes and fees to various governmental authorities, including excise taxes, property taxes, sales and use taxes, and payroll taxes. The taxes and fees remitted by the Company are subject to review and audit by the applicable governmental authorities which could assert claims for additional assessments. Although management believes that the tax positions are reasonable and consequently there are no accrued liabilities for claims which may be asserted, various taxing authorities may challenge certain of the positions taken by the Company which may result in additional liability for taxes and interest. These tax positions are reviewed periodically based on the availability of new information, the lapsing of applicable statutes of limitations, the conclusion of tax audits, the identification of new tax contingencies, or the rendering of relevant court decisions. An unfavorable resolution of assessments by a governmental authority could negatively impact the Company’s results of operations and cash flows in future periods.
	The Company is subject to unclaimed or abandoned property (escheat) laws which require the Company to turn over to certain state governmental authorities the property of others held by the Company that has been unclaimed for specified periods of time. The Company is subject to audit by individual U.S. states with regard to its escheatment practices. During fiscal year 2012, the Company agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle certain potential liabilities pertaining to unclaimed property returns which had not been filed timely, which was paid during the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. Prior to fiscal year 2014 the Company had not filed unclaimed property returns. During fiscal year 2014, the Company filed unclaimed property returns, provided additional information to the applicable governmental entities and remitted amounts due for unclaimed property liabilities. The settlement of unclaimed property liabilities did not have a material adverse impact on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.
	The Company sells a considerable number of gift cards, which are issued and administered by a third party gift card issuer and service provider, consistent with common retail industry practice. The third party gift card issuer is paid a net fee for its services by the Company. The third party gift card issuer and service provider, as well as a number of other restaurant companies, retailers and gift card issuers, were named as defendants in an action filed under seal in June 2013 by William French on behalf of the State of Delaware in the Superior Court of Delaware in and for New Castle County alleging violations of Delaware law. The filing was unsealed in March 2014. The complaint alleges that approximately $30 million with respect to unused gift cards should be escheated by the Company to the State of Delaware and seeks interest and penalties, attorneys’ fees and costs, and an injunction against alleged future violations of Delaware’s unclaimed property laws. The Company has not yet been served with the complaint. The Company believes that it is in compliance with Delaware’s unclaimed property laws and intends to defend its position vigorously if served. To protect its interests, the Company has joined in a notice to remove the case to federal district court, which was filed in May 2014, and a motion to dismiss filed by all defendants in June 2014. In December 2014, the case was remanded back to Superior Court of Delaware.
	The Company currently buys a majority of its beef from two suppliers. Although there are a limited number of beef suppliers, management believes that other suppliers could provide similar product on comparable terms. A change in suppliers, however, could cause supply shortages and a possible loss of sales, which would affect operating results adversely.

Note_12_Redeemable_Convertible

Note 12 - Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Preferred Stock [Text Block]	(12) Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock
	In February 2010, the Company issued and sold 25,000 shares of preferred stock to Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. Management, L.P. and affiliates (BRS) in a private placement transaction. The Company received proceeds of $23.2 million, net of approximately $1.8 million in closing and issuance costs. The preferred stock was classified as temporary shareholders’ equity since the shares had certain conditions that allow the holder to redeem the preferred stock for cash, and for which redemption was not solely within the control of the Company.
	On March 8, 2012, the Company repurchased all of the outstanding preferred stock for $60.2 million. The purchase price, which includes payment of all accrued and unpaid dividends owed on the preferred stock, was funded using borrowings from the Company’s $100 million senior credit facility. After the repurchase and retirement of the preferred stock, the Company’s fully diluted common share base decreased by approximately 8.6 million shares and the 10% annual dividend on the preferred stock, which amounted to $2.5 million in fiscal year 2011, was eliminated. The Company recorded a reduction of net income applicable to shareholders of approximately $35.8 million in the first fiscal quarter of 2012 to reflect the excess of the redemption value over the financial statement carrying value of the preferred shares redeemed. In connection with the repurchase of preferred shares, the BRS director designee resigned his position as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.
	Each share of the preferred stock had an initial liquidation preference of $1,000. The holders of the preferred stock were entitled to quarterly dividends accruing at a 10% annual rate. The preferred stock was also convertible, under certain circumstances, into the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the quotient of the liquidation preference, including accrued dividends, divided by the conversion price. Using the liquidation preference of $25.0 million as of December 25, 2011, a conversion of preferred stock into the Company’s common stock would have resulted in the issuance of 8,620,690 additional common shares. The preferred stock was convertible at any time, at the option of the holders. The Company had the option to convert the preferred stock, in whole or in part, after February 12, 2012 if the closing price of the Company’s common stock equaled or exceeded 225% of the then applicable conversion price for a period of 20 trading days over any 30 consecutive trading day period. At the option of the Company, the preferred stock could have been redeemed on or after February 12, 2015 without regard to the Company’s stock price. At the option of the holders, the preferred stock could have been redeemed on or after February 12, 2017. The redemption price per share was to equal the liquidation preference, including any accrued dividends. The Company was accreting the carrying value of preferred stock to its redemption value of $25 million from the date of issuance to the earliest redemption date, February 12, 2015.

Note_13_Shareholders_Equity

Note 13 - Shareholders' Equity	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	(13) Shareholders’ Equity
	The holders of the Company’s common stock are entitled to one vote per share on all matters to be voted on by the Company’s shareholders.
	In May 2013, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved a share repurchase program. Under the program the Company was authorized from time to time purchase up to $30 million of its outstanding common stock. No shares were repurchased during fiscal year 2013. During fiscal year 2014, 866,410 shares were repurchased under this program at an aggregate cost of $10.3 million or an average cost of $11.87 per share. The share repurchases were made at the Company’s discretion, within pricing parameters set by the Board of Directors, in the open market.
	On November 17, 2014, the Company announced that its Board of Directors has approved a new share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $50 million of outstanding common stock from time to time in the open market, through negotiated transactions or otherwise, depending on share price, market conditions and other factors. The new share repurchase program replaces the Company’s previous share repurchase program announced in May 2013, which has been terminated. The share repurchase program does not obligate the Company to repurchase any dollar amount or number of its shares. The program has no termination date. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2014, 377,655 shares were repurchased under this new program at an aggregate cost of $5.1 million or an average cost of $13.57 per share. As of December 28, 2014, $44.9 million remained available for future purchases under the new program. Share repurchases under both programs were accounted for under the cost method and all repurchased shares were retired and cancelled. The excess of the purchase price over the par value of the shares was recorded as a reduction in additional paid-in capital.
	The Company’s Board of Directors declared the following dividends during the periods presented (amounts in thousands, except per share amounts):
	Declaration Date	Dividend per Share		Record Date	Total Amount		Payment Date
	Fiscal Year 2013:
	3-May-13	$	0.04	16-May-13	$	1,430	30-May-13
	24-Jul-13	$	0.04	15-Aug-13	$	1,424	29-Aug-13
	22-Oct-13	$	0.04	14-Nov-13	$	1,424	26-Nov-13
	Fiscal Year 2014:
	21-Feb-14	$	0.05	13-Mar-04	$	1,798	27-Mar-14
	22-Apr-14	$	0.05	15-May-14	$	1,798	29-May-14
	23-Jul-14	$	0.05	14-Aug-14	$	1,778	28-Aug-14
	29-Oct-14	$	0.05	20-Nov-14	$	1,764	4-Dec-14
	Subsequent to the end of fiscal year 2014, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a $0.06 per share cash dividend ($2.1 million in total) payable on March 12, 2015. Dividends are paid to holders of common stock and restricted stock.

Note_14_Employee_Benefit_Plan

Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plan	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]	(14) Employee Benefit Plan
	In 2000, the Company established a 401(k) and Profit Sharing Plan. The Company may make matching contributions in an amount determined by the Board of Directors. In addition, the Company may contribute each period, at its discretion, an additional amount from profits. The Company matches the employees’ contributions at year end. Employees vest in the Company’s contributions based upon their years of service. The Company’s expenses relating to matching contributions were approximately $307 thousand, $305 thousand and $298 thousand for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.

Note_15_Incentive_and_Stock_Op

Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block]	(15) Incentive and Stock Option Plans
	As of December 28, 2014, the Company had the following share-based compensation plans.
	2000 Stock Option Plan
	The Company established a stock option plan (the 2000 Stock Option Plan) which allowed the Company’s Board of Directors to grant stock options to directors, officers, key employees and other key individuals performing services for the Company. The 2000 Stock Option Plan authorized grants of options to purchase up to 1,765,981 shares of authorized but unissued shares of common stock. The Plan provided for granting of options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price not less than the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. Options were exercisable at various periods ranging from one to ten years from date of grant. Under the Company’s 2000 Stock Option Plan, there are no shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options and there are no shares available for future grants at December 28, 2014.
	2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan
	In connection with the initial public offering, the Company adopted the Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Inc. 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan (the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan), which allows the Company’s Board of Directors to grant stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units, deferred stock units and other equity-based awards to directors, officers, key employees and other key individuals performing services for the Company. Initially, 2.4 million shares were authorized for issuance under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan. The 2005 Equity Incentive Plan provides for granting of options to purchase shares of common stock at an exercise price not less than the fair value of the stock on the date of grant. Options are exercisable, and restricted stock vests, at various periods ranging from one to five years from date of grant. Effective May 22, 2008, the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan was amended, with stockholder approval, to increase the number of shares authorized for issuance under the plan by 1.5 million shares. The Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan was adopted on October 26, 2012. The number of shares covered by the 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan was increased by 2.0 million shares at the 2013 annual meeting of stockholders. Under the 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended and restated, there are 1.0 million shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options and restricted stock awards at December 28, 2014, and 2.8 million shares available for future grants.
	During fiscal year 2012, the Company issued 230,585 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and executive officers from available shares under its 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. The shares were issued with a grant date fair market value equal to the closing price of the stock on the date of the grants. One-third of the restricted stock grant vests on each of the three anniversary dates following the grant date.
	During fiscal year 2013, the Company issued 247,225 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and executive officers from available shares under its 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. The shares were issued with a grant date fair market value equal to the closing price of the stock on the date of the grants. Of the 247,225 shares of restricted stock issued during 2013, 155,441 shares vest on the second anniversary of the grant date and the remaining shares vest one-third on each of the three anniversary dates following the grant date.
	During fiscal year 2014, the Company issued 275,794 shares of restricted stock to certain employees and executive officers from available shares under its 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, as amended. The shares were issued with a grant date fair market value equal to the closing price of the stock on the date of the grants. Of the 275,794 shares of restricted stock issued during 2014, 125,932 shares vest on the second anniversary of the grant date and the remaining shares vest one-third on each of the three anniversary dates following the grant date.
	The Company recorded $2.8 million, $2.3 million and $2.3 million in total stock option and restricted stock compensation expense during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively that was classified primarily as general and administrative costs. The Company recognized $2.1 million, $0.9 million and $0.9 million in income tax benefit related to stock-based compensation plans during fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. As of December 28, 2014, the Company had a $7.1 million hypothetical Additional Paid-in Capital Pool (APIC Pool) balance. The hypothetical APIC Pool balance represents the tax benefit of the cumulative excess of corporate income tax deductions over financial accounting compensation expense recognized for equity based compensation awards which have fully vested. The hypothetical APIC Pool will increase or decrease each year, dependent upon both the vesting of restricted stock awards and the stock options exercised and/or cancelled. Shortfalls generated by the excess of compensation expense for financial accounting purposes over the corresponding corporate income tax deduction will be charged to the hypothetical APIC Pool balance rather than income tax expense. Once the hypothetical APIC Pool is fully depleted, the tax effect of any excess of financial accounting expense over the corresponding corporate income tax deduction beyond that point will be treated as income tax expense in the consolidated statement of income.
	A summary of the status of non-vested restricted stock as of December 28, 2014 and changes during fiscal year 2014 is presented below.
		2014
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
	Non-vested shares at beginning of year		625,945		$	7.04
	Granted		275,794			12.46
	Vested		(332,464	)		5.72
	Non-vested shares at end of year		569,275		$	10.46
	As of December 28, 2014, there was $3.1 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to 569,275 shares of non-vested restricted stock. This cost is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of approximately 1.59 years. The total grant date fair value of restricted stock vested in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $1.9 million, $3.3 million and $0.7 million, respectively.
	The following table summarizes stock option activity for fiscal year 2014:
		2014
		Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000's)
	Outstanding at beginning of year		1,344,079		$	8.09
	Granted		-			-
	Exercised		(872,158	)		5.36
	Forfeited		(32,041	)		13.17
	Outstanding at end of year		439,880		$	13.12		2.44	$	1,757,215
	Options exercisable at year end		439,880		$	13.12		2.44	$	1,757,215
	As of December 28, 2014, there was no unrecognized compensation cost related to non-vested stock options. The total intrinsic value of options exercised in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was $6.3 million, $273 thousand and $944 thousand, respectively.
	During fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, the Company received $183 thousand, $208 thousand and $393 thousand, respectively, in cash related to the exercise of options. The exercise of shares were fulfilled from shares reserved for issue under the stock option plans and resulted in an increase in issued shares outstanding.

Note_16_Income_Taxes

Note 16 - Income Taxes	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]	(16) Income Taxes
	Total income tax expense (benefit) for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 was (amounts in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Income from continuing operations	$	11,830		$	10,744		$	7,855
	Loss from discontinued operations		(7,472	)		(2,426	)		(1,236	)
	Total consolidated income tax expense	$	4,358		$	8,318		$	6,619
	Income tax expense from continuing operations consists of the following:
		Current			Deferred			Total
	Year ended December 28, 2014
	U.S. Federal	$	3,475		$	6,447		$	9,922
	State		562			961			1,523
	Foreign		385			0			385
		$	4,422		$	7,408		$	11,830
	Year ended December 29, 2013
	U.S. Federal	$	2,056		$	6,708		$	8,764
	State		136			1,495			1,631
	Foreign		349			0			349
		$	2,541		$	8,203		$	10,744
	Year ended December 30, 2012
	U.S. Federal	$	2,466		$	2,815		$	5,281
	State		1,284			983			2,267
	Foreign		307			0			307
		$	4,057		$	3,798		$	7,855
	Income tax expense differs from amounts computed by applying the federal statutory income tax rate to income from continuing operations before income taxes as follows (amounts in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax expense at statutory rates	$	13,489		$	12,333		$	8,416
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	State income taxes at state statutory rate, net of federal benefit		1,813			1,444			1,228
	Federal FICA tip credit net benefit		(2,814	)		(2,634	)		(2,449	)
	State employment tax credits generated in prior years		(331	)		(623	)		0
	Increase to valuation allowance		0			243			253
	Other		(327	)		(19	)		407
		$	11,830		$	10,744		$	7,855
	Effective tax rate		30.7	%		30.5	%		32.7	%
	The Company utilizes the federal FICA tip credit to reduce its periodic federal income tax expense. A restaurant company employer may claim a credit against the company’s federal income taxes for FICA taxes paid on certain tip wages (the FICA tip credit). The credit against income tax liability is for the full amount of eligible FICA taxes. Employers cannot deduct from taxable income the amount of FICA taxes taken into account in determining the credit.
	Income taxes applicable to discontinued operations are comprised of (a) taxes calculated at the composite federal and state statutory tax rate times the pre-tax loss plus (b) the FICA tip credit benefit attributable to the restaurant sales of the Mitchell’s Restaurants. A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory tax rate to the effective tax rate applicable to operations for the Mitchell’s Restaurants fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 follows (amounts in thousands):
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax benefit at statutory rates	$	(6,204	)	$	(1,550	)	$	(367	)
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	State income taxes at state statutory rate, net of federal impact		(701	)		(198	)		(54	)
	Other, primarily federal FICA tip credit net benefit		(567	)		(678	)		(815	)
		$	(7,472	)	$	(2,426	)	$	(1,236	)
	Effective tax rate		42.2	%		54.8	%		117.9	%
	In fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, the FICA tip credit net benefit had a disproportionate impact on the income tax rate applicable to discontinued operations due to the Mitchell’s Restaurants generally operating near breakeven from operations before income taxes.
	The tax effects of temporary differences that give rise to significant portions of the deferred tax assets are presented below (amounts in thousands):
		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	3,775		$	4,371
	Deferred rent		9,911			10,046
	Net state operating loss carryforwards		2,923			3,623
	Tax credit carryforwards		6,236			7,364
	Property and equipment		10,589			9,209
	Other		335			423
	Total gross deferred tax assets		33,769			35,036
	Less valuation allowance		(947	)		(1,108	)
	Net deferred tax assets		32,822			33,928
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets		(3,993	)		(4,346	)
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities		(3,993	)		(4,346	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	28,829		$	29,582
	In assessing the realizability of deferred tax assets, management considers whether it is more likely than not that some portion or all of the deferred tax assets will not be realized. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences become deductible. Management considers the scheduled reversal of deferred tax liabilities and projected future taxable income in making this assessment. Based upon the level of historical taxable income and projections for future taxable income over the periods in which the deferred tax assets are deductible, management believes it is more likely than not that the Company will realize the benefits of the net deferred tax assets.
	As of December 28, 2014, the Company has state net operating loss carry-forwards of $74 million and federal and state tax credit carry-forwards of $6.2 million, which are available to offset federal and state taxable income with the last of such benefit expiring in 2032.
	As of December 28, 2014, the Company’s gross unrecognized tax benefits totaled approximately $958 thousand, of which $622 thousand, if recognized, would impact the effective tax rate. The Company does not anticipate there will be any material changes in the unrecognized tax benefits within the next 12 months. Our continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
	A reconciliation of the beginning and ending amount of unrecognized tax benefits follows (amounts in thousands):
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 29, 2013	$	1,210
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years		217
Settlements		(469	)
Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 28, 2014	$	958
The Company files consolidated and separate income tax returns in the United States Federal jurisdiction and many state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal or state and local income tax examinations for fiscal years before 2010.

Note_17_Earnings_Per_Share

Note 17 - Earnings Per Share	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]	(17) Earnings Per Share
	Basic earnings per common share is computed under the two-class method in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 260. Under the two-class method, a portion of net income is allocated to participating securities, such as the Company’s preferred stock, and therefore is excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share allocated to common shares. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing the net income applicable to preferred and common shareholders for the period by the weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Net income, in both the basic and diluted earnings per common share calculations, is reduced by the Company’s preferred stock dividends and accretion of the Company’s preferred stock to its redemption value.
	The following table sets forth the computation of basic earnings per common share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):
		2014			2013			2012
	Income from continuing operations	$	26,710		$	24,493		$	16,192
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(10,255	)		(2,004	)		187
	Net income		16,455			22,489			16,379
	Preferred stock dividends		-			-			514
	Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			73
	Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed		-			-			35,776
	Undistributed net income (loss)		16,455			22,489			(19,984	)
	Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$	16,455		$	22,489		$	(19,984	)
	Shares:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,955,760			34,761,160			34,313,636
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.76		$	0.71		$	(0.59	)
	Discontinued operations		(0.29	)		(0.06	)		0.01
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.47		$	0.65		$	(0.58	)
	Diluted earnings (loss) per share for fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012 excludes 153,613 stock options and restricted shares at a weighted-average price of $18.70, 202,824 stock options and restricted shares at a weighted-average price of $18.67 and 824,850 stock options and restricted shares at a weighted-average price of $11.37, respectively, which were outstanding during the periods but were anti-dilutive. Diluted earnings per share for fiscal year 2012 also excludes the 8,620,690 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 25,000 shares of preferred stock, which were outstanding until their repurchase and retirement on March 8, 2012, but were anti-dilutive.
	The following table sets forth the computation of diluted earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share data):
		2014			2013			2012
	Income from continuing operations	$	26,710		$	24,493		$	16,192
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(10,255	)		(2,004	)		187
	Net income		16,455			22,489			16,379
	Preferred stock dividends		-			-			514
	Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			73
	Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redeemed		-			-			35,776
	Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$	16,455		$	22,489		$	(19,984	)
	Shares:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,955,760			34,761,160			34,313,636
	Dilutive shares		459,723			1,023,270			-
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted		35,415,483			35,784,430			34,313,636
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.75		$	0.69		$	(0.59	)
	Discontinued operations		(0.29	)		(0.06	)		0.01
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.46		$	0.63		$	(0.58	)

Note_18_Segment_Information

Note 18 - Segment Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Reporting Disclosure [Text Block]	(18) Segment Information
	Previously, the Company provided financial information for three operating segments: the Company-owned steakhouse restaurant segment, the Company-owned fish market restaurant segment and the franchise operations segment. As a consequence of the sale of the Mitchell’s Restaurants, management has determined that the Company has two reportable segments – the Company-owned steakhouse segment and the franchise operations segment. Previously reported segment information has been revised to exclude the Mitchell’s Restaurants. The Company does not rely on any major customers as a source of revenue.
	The Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, all of which are located in North America, operate within the full-service dining industry, providing similar products to similar customers. Revenues are derived principally from food and beverage sales. As of December 28, 2014, (i) the Company-owned steakhouse restaurant segment included 65 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants and one Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant operating under a management agreement and (ii) the franchise operations segment included 77 franchisee-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants. Segment profits for the Company-owned steakhouse restaurant segments equal segment revenues less segment expenses. Segment revenues for the Company-owned steakhouse restaurants include restaurant sales, management agreement income and other restaurant income. Gift card breakage revenue is not allocated to operating segments. Not all operating expenses are allocated to operating segments. Segment expenses for the Company-owned steakhouse segment include food and beverage costs and restaurant operating expenses.  No other operating costs are allocated to the segments for the purpose of determining segment profits because such costs are not directly related to the operation of individual restaurants. The accounting policies applicable to each segment are consistent with the policies used to prepare the consolidated financial statements. The profit of the franchise operations segment equals franchise income, which consists of franchise royalty fees and franchise opening fees. No costs are allocated to the franchise operations segment. Segment information related to the Company’s two reportable business segments follows.
		Fiscal Year
		2014			2013			2012
		(Dollar amounts in thousands)
	Revenues:
	Company-owned steakhouse restaurants	$	327,731		$	306,539		$	294,600
	Franchise operations		15,763			15,012			13,836
	Unallocated other revenue and revenue discounts		2,603			803			1,849
	Total revenues	$	346,097		$	322,354		$	310,285
	Segment profits:
	Company-owned steakhouse restaurants	$	68,230		$	67,489		$	60,765
	Franchise operations		15,763			15,012			13,836
	Total segment profit		83,993			82,501			74,601
	Unallocated operating income		2,603			803			1,849
	Marketing and advertising expenses		(10,076	)		(9,341	)		(9,158	)
	General and administrative costs		(24,311	)		(27,808	)		(25,612	)
	Depreciation and amortization expenses		(10,917	)		(10,229	)		(11,050	)
	Pre-opening costs		(1,630	)		(691	)		(540	)
	Loss on impairments		0			0			(3,262	)
	Gain on settlements, net		0			1,719			683
	Interest expense, net		(1,159	)		(1,640	)		(2,364	)
	Debt issuance costs written off		0			0			(807	)
	Other income (expense)		37			(77	)		(293	)
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	$	38,540		$	35,237		$	24,047
	Capital expenditures:
	Company-owned steakhouse restaurants	$	14,867		$	11,242		$	9,667
	Corporate assets		1,097			1,723			621
	Mitchell's Restaurants		1,401			2,346			1,169
	Total capital expenditures	$	17,365		$	15,311		$	11,457
		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
		(Dollar amounts in thousands)
	Total assets:
	Company-owned steakhouse restaurants	$	155,757		$	143,388
	Franchise operations		2,151			2,253
	Corporate assets - unallocated		16,711			22,479
	Deferred income taxes - unallocated		28,829			29,582
	Mitchell's Restaurants		15,119			30,379
	Total assets	$	218,567		$	228,081

Note_19_Supplemental_Consolida

Note 19 - Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statement Information	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Additional Financial Information Disclosure [Text Block]	(19) Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statement Information
	(a)	Accounts Receivable, net
	Accounts receivable, net consists of the following (amounts in thousands):
			December 28,			December 29,
			2014			2013
	Bank credit card receivables		$	11,262		$	7,664
	Landlord contributions			443			104
	Franchise fees			2,116			2,120
	Trade			682			1,106
	Refundable income tax			2,335			955
	Receivable from gift card issuances			2,216			934
	Other			2,164			1,305
	Allowance for doubtful accounts			(760	)		(779	)
			$	20,458		$	13,409
	(b) Other Assets
	Other assets consist of the following (amounts in thousands):
			December 28,			December 29,
			2014			2013
	Deposits		$	764		$	899
	Deferred financing costs, net			901			1,322
	Other			39			39
			$	1,704		$	2,260

Note_20_Quarterly_Financial_Da

Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Quarterly Financial Information [Text Block]	(20) Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited)
	Summarized unaudited quarterly financial data (amounts in thousands, except per share information):
		Quarter Ended
		March 30,			June 29,			September 28,			December 28,
		2014			2014			2014			2014			Total
	Total revenues	$	90,354		$	83,006		$	73,795		$	98,941		$	346,097
	Cost and expenses		(76,400	)		(73,172	)		(69,833	)		(87,029	)		(306,435	)
	Operating income		13,954			9,834			3,962			11,912			39,662
	Interest expense, net		(287	)		(298	)		(297	)		(278	)		(1,159	)
	Other		9			12			5			12			37
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense		13,676			9,548			3,670			11,646			38,540
	Income tax expense		4,686			2,880			1,472			2,791			11,830
	Income from continuing operations		8,990			6,668			2,198			8,855			26,710
	Discontinued operations, net of income tax		(125	)		236			(9,496	)		(870	)		(10,255	)
	Net income (loss)	$	8,865		$	6,904		$	(7,298	)	$	7,985		$	16,455
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.25		$	0.19		$	0.06		$	0.26		$	0.76
	Discontinued operations		(0.00	)		0.01			(0.27	)		(0.03	)		(0.29	)
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.25		$	0.2		$	(0.21	)	$	0.23		$	0.47
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.25		$	0.18		$	0.06		$	0.26		$	0.75
	Discontinued operations		(0.00	)		0.01			(0.27	)		(0.03	)		(0.29	)
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.25		$	0.19		$	(0.21	)	$	0.23		$	0.46
	Dividends declared per common share	$	0.05		$	0.05		$	0.05		$	0.05		$	0.2
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 29,			December 29,
		2013			2013			2013			2013			Total
	Total revenues	$	85,879		$	80,193		$	68,651		$	87,631		$	322,354
	Cost and expenses		(73,091	)		(70,184	)		(63,588	)		(78,537	)		(285,400	)
	Operating income		12,787			10,010			5,062			9,094			36,953
	Interest expense, net		(516	)		(415	)		(414	)		(295	)		(1,640	)
	Other		25			(1	)		(101	)		(1	)		(77	)
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense		12,297			9,593			4,548			8,798			35,237
	Income tax expense		3,881			2,452			1,623			2,787			10,744
	Income from continuing operations		8,416			7,141			2,925			6,011			24,493
	Discontinued operations, net of income tax		(755	)		626			(38	)		(1,836	)		(2,004	)
	Net income	$	7,661		$	7,767		$	2,887		$	4,175		$	22,489
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.24		$	0.2		$	0.08		$	0.17		$	0.71
	Discontinued operations		(0.02	)		0.02			(0.00	)		(0.05	)		(0.06	)
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.08		$	0.12		$	0.65
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.24		$	0.2		$	0.08		$	0.17		$	0.69
	Discontinued operations		(0.02	)		0.02			(0.00	)		(0.05	)		(0.06	)
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.08		$	0.12		$	0.63
	Dividends declared per common share	$	-		$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.12
	During the third quarter of fiscal year 2014, the Company recorded an impairment loss aggregating $15.3 million pertaining to the assets of the Mitchell’s Restaurants. During the fourth quarter, the Company recorded a $1.8 million loss on the assets of the Mitchell’s Restaurants held for sale. The impairments and loss on assets held for sale are classified as discontinued operations.
	During the third quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company settled two loss claims asserted by the Company which previously arose and recognized an aggregate gain of $2.2 million, net of fees incurred. The majority of the gain pertained to compensation for the Company’s lost operating income awarded by the claims administrator pursuant to the settlement agreement reached in litigation related to the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. Of the total $2.2 million settlement gain, $437 thousand applied to Mitchell’s Restaurants and has been reclassified to discontinued operations. During the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company recorded impairment losses aggregating $3.3 million and also recorded a $2.2 million reduction in other operating income attributable to a change in accounting method for gift card breakage revenue. The fiscal year 2013 impairment loss was primarily attributable to a $400 thousand impairment of an ancillary trademark, a $2.1 million impairment loss due to a decline in the estimated fair value of one restaurant’s assets (primarily leasehold improvements) and a $750 thousand lease termination penalty. The impairment losses and the legal termination penalty have been reclassified to discontinued operations.

Accounting_Policies_by_Policy_

Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Accounting, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Basis of Presentation
	The Company utilizes a 52- or 53-week reporting period ending on the last Sunday of December. The periods ended December 28, 2014 (fiscal year 2014) and December 29, 2013 (fiscal year 2013) each had a 52-week reporting period. The period ended December 30, 2012 (fiscal year 2012) had a 53-week reporting period. The consolidated financial statements are prepared in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and include the financial statements of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.
	The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the consolidated financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Most significantly, the results of the Mitchell’s Restaurants have been reclassified as a discontinued operation.
Revenue Recognition, Gift Cards [Policy Text Block]	Change in Accounting for Gift Card Breakage
	The portion of gift cards sold to customers which are never redeemed is commonly referred to as gift card breakage. Prior to the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company recognized breakage revenue using the delayed method of accounting. At the end of the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company elected to change its policy for recognizing gift card breakage revenue by changing from the delayed method to the preferable redemption method of accounting. Under the redemption method, breakage revenue is recognized and the gift card liability is derecognized for unredeemed gift cards in proportion to actual gift card redemptions. The impact of the cumulative catch-up adjustment recorded in the fourth quarter of fiscal year 2013 was to reduce gift card breakage revenue by $2.2 million. Inclusive of this adjustment, the Company recognized $804 thousand of gift card breakage revenue in fiscal year 2013. Gift card breakage revenue recognized in fiscal years 2014 and 2012 was $2.6 million and $1.9 million, respectively. Consistent with the cumulative catch-up method of accounting for a change in accounting estimate effected by a change in accounting principle, previously issued financial statements were not revised.
New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2014, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (the FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2014-08, “Reporting Discontinued Operations and Disclosures of Disposals of Components of an Entity,” (ASU 2014-08), which changes the criteria for reporting discontinued operations and requires additional disclosures about discontinued operations. ASU 2014-08 requires that an entity report as a discontinued operation only a disposal that represents a strategic shift in operations that has a major effect on its operations and financial results. ASU 2014-08 is effective for public business entities for annual periods, and interim periods within those annual periods, beginning on or after December 15, 2014. The Company believes that the new guidance will not have a material impact on the consolidated results of operations or on the financial position, except that individual restaurants closed after the adoption of the guidance will generally not be classified as discontinued operations.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU No. 2014-09, “Revenue from Contracts with Customers,” (ASU 2014-09), which requires an entity to recognize the amount of revenue to which it expects to be entitled for the transfer of promised goods or services to customers. The ASU will replace most existing revenue recognition guidance in U.S. generally accepted accounting principles when it becomes effective. The new standard is effective for interim and annual periods in fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016. Early application is not permitted. The standard permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. The Company is evaluating the effect that ASU 2014-09 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. The Company has not yet selected a transition method nor has it determined the effect of the standard on its ongoing financial reporting.
Commitments and Contingencies, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Contingencies
	The Company recognizes liabilities for contingencies when there is an exposure that indicates it is both probable that an asset has been impaired or that a liability has been incurred and that the amount of impairment or loss can be reasonably estimated.
Cash and Cash Equivalents, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Cash Equivalents
	For purposes of the consolidated financial statements, the Company considers all highly liquid investments purchased with an original maturity of three months or less to be cash equivalents. The Company has included outstanding checks totaling $7.6 million and $10.1 million at December 28, 2014 and December 29, 2013, respectively, in “Accounts payable” and “Accrued payroll” in the consolidated balance sheets. Changes in such amounts are reflected in cash flows from operating activities in the consolidated statements of cash flows.
Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Policy [Policy Text Block]	AccountsReceivable
	Accounts receivable consists primarily of bank credit cards receivable, landlord contributions, franchise royalty payments receivable, banquet billings receivable and other miscellaneous receivables.
Receivables, Trade and Other Accounts Receivable, Allowance for Doubtful Accounts, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Allowance for Doubtful Accounts
	The Company performs a specific review of account balances and applies historical collection experience to the various aging categories of receivable balances in establishing an allowance.
Inventory, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Inventories
	Inventories consist of food, beverages and supplies and are stated at the lower of cost or market. Cost is determined using the first-in, first-out method.
Property, Plant and Equipment, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Propertyand Equipment, net
	Property and equipment are stated at cost. Expenditures for improvements and major renewals are capitalized and minor replacement, maintenance and repairs are charged to expense. Depreciation is computed on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets. Leasehold improvements are amortized on the straight-line basis over the shorter of the lease term or the estimated useful lives of the assets. The estimated useful lives for assets are as follows: Building and Building Improvements, 20 to 40 years; Equipment, 5 years; Furniture and Fixtures, 5 to 7 years; Computer Equipment, 3 to 5 years; and Leasehold Improvements, 5 to 20 years (limited by the lease term).
Goodwill and Intangible Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Goodwill, FranchiseRights and Trademarks
	Goodwill and trademarks acquired in a purchase business combination that are determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but tested for impairment at least annually in accordance with the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 350, “Intangibles-Goodwill and Other.” Goodwill and trademarks are tested annually for impairment on a reporting unit basis and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. For purposes of testing goodwill impairment, a reporting unit is defined as a group of restaurants with similar economic characteristics. For purposes of testing trademark impairment, a reporting unit is defined as a group of acquired restaurants sharing a common trade name. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the financial statement carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value.
	Franchise rights acquired prior to 2008 in a purchase business combination that are determined to have an indefinite useful life are not amortized, but are tested for impairment at least annually on a reporting unit basis, which is defined as a group of reacquired restaurants, and more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the asset might be impaired. The Company allows and expects franchisees to renew agreements indefinitely ensuring consistent cash flows. As a result, acquired franchise rights are determined to have indefinite useful lives. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. Franchise rights acquired after 2007 are no longer considered to have indefinite useful lives and are amortized in accordance with FASB ASC Topic 350.
Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Impairmentor Disposal of Long-Lived Assets
	In accordance with FASB ASC Topic 360-10, “Property, Plant and Equipment—Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” (Topic 360-10), long lived assets, such as property and equipment and purchased intangibles subject to amortization, are reviewed for impairment on a restaurant-by-restaurant basis whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Recoverability of assets to be held and used is measured by a comparison of the carrying amount of an asset to estimated undiscounted future cash flows expected to be generated by the asset. If the financial statement carrying amount of an asset exceeds its estimated future cash flows, an impairment charge is recognized in the amount by which the carrying amount of the asset exceeds the fair value of the asset. Key assumptions in the determination of fair value are the future after-tax cash flows of the restaurant and discount rate. The after-tax cash flows incorporate reasonable sales growth and margin improvement assumptions that would be expected by a franchisee in the determination of a purchase price for the restaurant. Estimates of future cash flows are highly subjective judgments and can be significantly impacted by changes in the business or economic conditions. The discount rate used in the fair value calculations is our estimate of the required rate of return that a market participant would expect to receive when purchasing a similar restaurant or groups of restaurants and the related long-lived assets. The discount rate incorporates rates of returns for historical refranchising market transactions and is commensurate with the risks and uncertainty inherent in the forecasted cash flows.
	The assets and liabilities of a disposed group classified as held for sale are presented separately in the appropriate asset and liability sections of the consolidated balance sheets. Assets are classified as held for sale when certain criteria are met, including the requirement that it is probable that the assets will be disposed of within one year. Assets classified as held for sale are separately presented in the balance sheet and reported at the lower of the carrying amount or the fair value less costs to sell, and are no longer depreciated. We account for exit or disposal activities, including restaurant closures, in accordance with Topic 360-10. Such costs include the cost of disposing of the assets as well as other facility-related expenses from previously closed restaurants. These costs are generally expensed as incurred. Additionally, at the date we cease using a property under an operating lease, we record a liability under FASB ASC Topic 420, “Exit and Disposal Cost Obligations” for the net present value of any remaining lease obligations, net of estimated sublease income. Any subsequent adjustments to that liability as a result of lease termination or changes in estimates of sublease income are recorded in the period incurred. Upon disposal of the assets associated with a closed restaurant, any gain or loss is recorded in the same line within our consolidated statements of income as the original impairment.
Deferred Charges, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Deferred Financing Costs
	Deferred financing costs represent fees paid in connection with obtaining bank and other long-term financing. The Company paid financing costs of $0, $0, and $610 thousand in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and amortizes these costs using a method that approximates the effective interest method over the term of the related financing. Amortization of deferred financing costs was $421 thousand, $421 thousand, and $476 thousand in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively, and is included in interest expense on the consolidated statements of income. As a result of the February 2012 amendment to the senior credit facility, $807 thousand of previously deferred financing costs were written off because of a change in the participants of the lending group.
Revenue Recognition, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Revenues
	Revenues are derived principally from food and beverage sales. The Company does not rely on any major customers as a source of revenue.
	Revenue from restaurant sales is recognized when food and beverage products are sold. Restaurant sales are presented net of sales taxes and discounts. Gratuities remitted by customers for the benefit of restaurant staff are not included in either revenues or operating expenses. Deferred revenue primarily represents the Company’s liability for gift cards that have been sold but not yet redeemed. When the gift cards are redeemed, the Company recognizes restaurant sales and reduces the deferred revenue liability. Company issued gift cards redeemed at franchisee-owned restaurants reduce the deferred revenue liability but do not result in Company restaurant sales. Gift card transactions involving franchisees are settled on a monthly basis through the Company’s third party gift card provider. The expected redemption value of gift cards represents the full value of all gift cards issued less the amount the Company has recognized as other operating income for gift cards that are not expected to be redeemed. Gift card breakage revenue is classified as a component of other operating income.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Translations Policy [Policy Text Block]	International Revenues
	The Company currently has 20 international franchisee-owned restaurants in Aruba, Canada, China, El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Panama, Singapore, Taiwan and the United Arab Emirates. In accordance with its franchise agreements relating to these international restaurants, the Company receives royalty revenue from these franchisees in U.S. dollars. Franchise fee revenues from international restaurants were $3.2 million, $3.0 million and $2.7 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively.
Lease, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Rent
	Certain of the Company’s operating leases contain predetermined fixed escalations of the minimum rent during the term of the lease. For these leases, the Company recognizes the related rent expense on a straight-line basis over the life of the lease and records the difference between amounts charged to operations and amounts paid as deferred rent.
	Additionally, certain of the Company’s operating leases contain clauses that provide additional contingent rent based on a percentage of sales greater than certain specified target amounts. The Company recognizes contingent rent expense prior to the achievement of the specified target that triggers the contingent rent, provided achievement of that target is considered probable.
Advertising Costs, Policy [Policy Text Block]	Marketingand Advertising
	Marketing and advertising expenses in the accompanying consolidated statements of income include advertising expenses of $6.1 million, $6.1 million and $5.8 million in fiscal years 2014, 2013 and 2012, respectively. Advertising costs are expensed as incurred.
Self Insurance Reserve [Policy Text Block]	InsuranceLiability
	The Company maintains various policies for workers’ compensation, employee health, general liability and property damage. Pursuant to those policies, the Company is responsible for losses up to certain limits. The Company records liabilities for the estimated exposure for aggregate losses below those limits. The recorded liabilities are based on estimates of the ultimate costs to be incurred to settle known claims and claims incurred but not reported as of the balance sheet date. The estimated liabilities are not discounted and are based on a number of assumptions and factors, including historical trends, actuarial assumptions and economic conditions. Independent actuaries are used to develop estimates of the workers’ compensation, general and employee health care liabilities.
Share-based Compensation, Option and Incentive Plans Policy [Policy Text Block]	Stock-Based Compensation
	The Company recognizes stock-based compensation in accordance with FASB ASC Topic, “Compensation—Stock Compensation, (Topic 718). Stock-based compensation cost includes compensation cost for all share-based payments granted based on the grant date fair value estimated in accordance with the provisions of Topic 718. Compensation cost is recognized on a straight-line basis, net of estimated forfeitures, over the requisite service period of each award.
Pre Opening Costs [Policy Text Block]	Pre-OpeningCosts
	Pre-opening costs incurred with the opening of new restaurants are expensed as incurred. These costs include rent expense, wages, benefits, travel and lodging for the training and opening management teams, and food, beverage and other restaurant operating expenses incurred prior to a restaurant opening for business.
Income Tax, Policy [Policy Text Block]	IncomeTaxes
	Income taxes are accounted for under the asset and liability method. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized for the future tax consequences attributable to differences between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax bases. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates expected to apply to taxable income in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to be recovered or settled. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in income in the period that includes the enactment date.
	The Company applies the provisions of FASB ASC Topic 740, “Income Taxes” (Topic 740). Topic 740 requires that a position taken or expected to be taken in a tax return be recognized (or derecognized) in the financial statements when it is more likely than not that the position would be sustained upon examination by tax authorities. A recognized tax position is then measured at the largest amount of benefit that is greater than 50% likely of being realized upon ultimate settlement. The Company’s continuing practice is to recognize interest and penalties related to uncertain tax positions in income tax expense.
Earnings Per Share, Policy [Policy Text Block]	EarningsPer Share
	Basic earnings per common share is computed under the two-class method in accordance with ” FASB ASC Topic 260, “Earnings Per Share”. Under the two-class method, a portion of net income is allocated to participating securities, such as the Company’s preferred stock, and therefore is excluded from the calculation of basic earnings per share allocated to common shares. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing the net income applicable to preferred and common shareholders for the period by the weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Net income, in both the basic and diluted earnings per common share calculations, is reduced by the Company’s preferred stock dividends and accretion of the Company’s preferred stock to its redemption value to arrive at net income applicable to common and preferred shareholders.
Business Combinations Policy [Policy Text Block]	Restaurant Acquisition
	In February 2014, the Company acquired the Austin, TX Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant and franchise rights from the franchisee owner for $2.8 million in cash. The acquisition price was allocated as follows: goodwill $2.2 million; property and equipment $259 thousand; and other assets $368 thousand. Allocation of the purchase price for the acquisition was based on estimates of the fair value of the net assets acquired. The revenues and expenses of the acquired restaurant are included in the consolidated statement of income from the date of the acquisition.

Note_1_The_Company_Organizatio1

Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Schedule of Franchisor Disclosure [Table Text Block]		13 Weeks Ending												52 Weeks Ending
		28-Dec-14												28-Dec-14
	Ruth's Chris Steak House	Company			Franchised			Managed			Total			Company			Franchised			Managed			Total
	Beginning of period		63			76			1			140			63			75			1			139
	Acquired		0			0			0			0			1			0			0			1
	Sold		0			0			0			0			0			1			0			1
	New		2			1			0			3			3			3			0			6
	Closed		0			0			0			0			2			0			0			2
	End of period		65			77			1			143			65			77			1			143
	% of total		45	%		54	%		1	%		100	%		45	%		54	%		1	%		100	%

Note_3_Mitchells_Restaurants_T

Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]		Fiscal Year
		2014			2013			2012
	Revenues
	Mitchell's Restaurants	$	73,974		$	75,925		$	77,197
	Other Restaurants		3,386			9,176			11,107
	Total revenues		77,360			85,101			88,304
	Costs and expenses
	Recurring costs and expenses
	Mitchell's Restaurants		73,852			75,396			76,502
	Other Restaurants		4,115			9,594			11,157
	Impairment losses
	Mitchell's Restaurants		15,295			2,512			-
	Other Restaurants		-			750			1,693
	Loss on pending sale of Mitchell's Restaurants		1,825			-			-
	Gain on settlement - Mitchell's Restaurants		-			(437	)		-
	Remeasurement of lease exit liability		-			1,716			-
	Total costs and expenses		95,087			89,531			89,352
	Loss before income taxes		(17,727	)		(4,430	)		(1,048	)
	Income tax benefit		(7,472	)		(2,426	)		(1,236	)
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(10,255	)	$	(2,004	)	$	187
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member]
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Tables) [Line Items]
Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]	Selling price	$	10,000
	Reduction of deferred rent liability		4,869
	Assets sold
	Property and equipment, net		(8,910	)
	Trademarks		(2,847	)
	Other Intangibles		(2,670	)
	Inventory		(952	)
	Other liabilities incurred		(350	)
	Selling costs		(965	)
	Loss on pending sale	$	(1,825	)
	Inventory	$	952
	Property and equipment, net		8,775
	Trademarks		2,847
	Other intangibles		2,545
	Total assets held for sale	$	15,119
	Deferred rent liability	$	4,869
	Total liabilities associated with assets held for sale	$	4,869

Note_5_Fair_Value_Measurements1

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]		Fair Value as of December 28, 2014		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Losses on Impairment		Valuation Method
	Long-lived assets held for sale	$	11,320	$	-	$	11,320		$	9,809	Market approach
		Fair Value as of December 29, 2013		Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)			Total Losses on Impairment		Valuation Method
	Long-lived assets held and used	$	-	$	-	$	-		$	2,112	Income approach
Fair Value Measurements, Intangible Assets, Nonrecurring [Table Text Block]		Fair Value as of December 28, 2014		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Losses on Impairment		Valuation Method
	Trademarks held for sale	$	2,847	$	2,847	$	7,311	Income approach
		Fair Value as of December 29, 2013		Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)		Total Losses on Impairment		Valuation Method
	Trademarks	$	-	$	-	$	400	Income approach

Note_6_Goodwill_Franchise_Righ1

Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Table Text Block]				Franchise Rights			Trademarks
	Balance as of December 29, 2013			$	32,200		$	10,276
	Balance as of December 28, 2014			$	32,418		$	118
Schedule of Goodwill [Table Text Block]		Gross Goodwill		Accumulated Impairment Losses			Net Carrying Value of Goodwill
	Balance as of December 29, 2013	$	55,469	$	(33,372	)	$	22,097
	Balance as of December 28, 2014	$	57,665	$	(33,372	)	$	24,293

Note_7_Property_and_Equipment_1

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Property, Plant and Equipment [Abstract]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Table Text Block]		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	Land	$	917		$	917
	Building and building improvements		24,175			23,760
	Equipment		31,458			33,066
	Computer equipment		9,735			11,518
	Furniture and fixtures		16,583			18,946
	Automobiles		27			27
	Leasehold improvements		108,061			121,768
	Construction-in-progress		4,106			4,159
			195,062			214,161
	Less accumulated depreciation		(114,708	)		(122,691	)
		$	80,354		$	91,470

Note_8_Longterm_Debt_Tables

Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]		December 28,		December 29,
		2014		2013
	Senior Credit Facility:
	Revolving credit facility	$	13,000	$	19,000
	Less current maturities		-		-
		$	13,000	$	19,000

Note_9_Leases_Tables

Note 9 - Leases (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Finite-Lived Intangible Assets, Future Amortization Expense [Table Text Block]		Mitchell's		All		Company
		Restaurants		Other		Total
	2015	$	5,487	$	20,638	$	26,125
	2016		5,568		20,341		25,910
	2017		5,109		18,873		23,982
	2018		4,986		17,310		22,296
	2019		4,894		16,055		20,949
	Thereafter		41,542		117,735		159,277
		$	67,586	$	210,952	$	278,539
Schedule of Rent Expense [Table Text Block]		Fiscal Year
		2014		2013		2012
	Minimum rentals	$	17,647	$	16,424	$	16,732
	Contingent rentals		2,558		2,456		2,335
		$	20,205	$	18,880	$	19,067

Note_10_Franchise_Operations_T

Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Franchise Income [Abstract]
Condensed Income Statement [Table Text Block]		Fiscal Year
		2014		2013		2012
	Franchise income:
	Income from existing franchise locations	$	15,598	$	14,612	$	13,436
	Opening and development fee income		165		400		400
	Total franchise income:	$	15,763	$	15,012	$	13,836

Note_13_Shareholders_Equity_Ta

Note 13 - Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Dividends Payable [Table Text Block]	Declaration Date	Dividend per Share		Record Date	Total Amount		Payment Date
	Fiscal Year 2013:
	3-May-13	$	0.04	16-May-13	$	1,430	30-May-13
	24-Jul-13	$	0.04	15-Aug-13	$	1,424	29-Aug-13
	22-Oct-13	$	0.04	14-Nov-13	$	1,424	26-Nov-13
	Fiscal Year 2014:
	21-Feb-14	$	0.05	13-Mar-04	$	1,798	27-Mar-14
	22-Apr-14	$	0.05	15-May-14	$	1,798	29-May-14
	23-Jul-14	$	0.05	14-Aug-14	$	1,778	28-Aug-14
	29-Oct-14	$	0.05	20-Nov-14	$	1,764	4-Dec-14

Note_15_Incentive_and_Stock_Op1

Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Schedule of Nonvested Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block]		2014
		Shares			Weighted-Average
					Grant-Date Fair Value Per Share
	Non-vested shares at beginning of year		625,945		$	7.04
	Granted		275,794			12.46
	Vested		(332,464	)		5.72
	Non-vested shares at end of year		569,275		$	10.46
Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block]		2014
		Shares			Weighted-Average Exercise Price		Weighted-Average Remaining Contractual Term		Aggregate Intrinsic Value ($000's)
	Outstanding at beginning of year		1,344,079		$	8.09
	Granted		-			-
	Exercised		(872,158	)		5.36
	Forfeited		(32,041	)		13.17
	Outstanding at end of year		439,880		$	13.12		2.44	$	1,757,215
	Options exercisable at year end		439,880		$	13.12		2.44	$	1,757,215

Note_16_Income_Taxes_Tables

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Consolidated Income Tax Expense [Table Text Block]		2014			2013			2012
	Income from continuing operations	$	11,830		$	10,744		$	7,855
	Loss from discontinued operations		(7,472	)		(2,426	)		(1,236	)
	Total consolidated income tax expense	$	4,358		$	8,318		$	6,619
Schedule of Components of Income Tax Expense (Benefit) [Table Text Block]		Current			Deferred			Total
	Year ended December 28, 2014
	U.S. Federal	$	3,475		$	6,447		$	9,922
	State		562			961			1,523
	Foreign		385			0			385
		$	4,422		$	7,408		$	11,830
	Year ended December 29, 2013
	U.S. Federal	$	2,056		$	6,708		$	8,764
	State		136			1,495			1,631
	Foreign		349			0			349
		$	2,541		$	8,203		$	10,744
	Year ended December 30, 2012
	U.S. Federal	$	2,466		$	2,815		$	5,281
	State		1,284			983			2,267
	Foreign		307			0			307
		$	4,057		$	3,798		$	7,855
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax expense at statutory rates	$	13,489		$	12,333		$	8,416
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	State income taxes at state statutory rate, net of federal benefit		1,813			1,444			1,228
	Federal FICA tip credit net benefit		(2,814	)		(2,634	)		(2,449	)
	State employment tax credits generated in prior years		(331	)		(623	)		0
	Increase to valuation allowance		0			243			253
	Other		(327	)		(19	)		407
		$	11,830		$	10,744		$	7,855
	Effective tax rate		30.7	%		30.5	%		32.7	%
		2014			2013			2012
	Income tax benefit at statutory rates	$	(6,204	)	$	(1,550	)	$	(367	)
	Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	State income taxes at state statutory rate, net of federal impact		(701	)		(198	)		(54	)
	Other, primarily federal FICA tip credit net benefit		(567	)		(678	)		(815	)
		$	(7,472	)	$	(2,426	)	$	(1,236	)
	Effective tax rate		42.2	%		54.8	%		117.9	%
Schedule of Deferred Tax Assets and Liabilities [Table Text Block]		2014			2013
	Deferred tax assets:
	Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$	3,775		$	4,371
	Deferred rent		9,911			10,046
	Net state operating loss carryforwards		2,923			3,623
	Tax credit carryforwards		6,236			7,364
	Property and equipment		10,589			9,209
	Other		335			423
	Total gross deferred tax assets		33,769			35,036
	Less valuation allowance		(947	)		(1,108	)
	Net deferred tax assets		32,822			33,928
	Deferred tax liabilities:
	Intangible assets		(3,993	)		(4,346	)
	Total gross deferred tax liabilities		(3,993	)		(4,346	)
	Net deferred tax assets	$	28,829		$	29,582
Schedule of Unrecognized Tax Benefits Roll Forward [Table Text Block]	Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 29, 2013	$	1,210
	Gross increases for tax positions of prior years		217
	Settlements		(469	)
	Unrecognized tax benefits balance at December 28, 2014	$	958

Note_17_Earnings_Per_Share_Tab

Note 17 - Earnings Per Share (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]		2014			2013			2012
	Income from continuing operations	$	26,710		$	24,493		$	16,192
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(10,255	)		(2,004	)		187
	Net income		16,455			22,489			16,379
	Preferred stock dividends		-			-			514
	Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			73
	Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed		-			-			35,776
	Undistributed net income (loss)		16,455			22,489			(19,984	)
	Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$	16,455		$	22,489		$	(19,984	)
	Shares:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,955,760			34,761,160			34,313,636
	Basic earnings per common share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.76		$	0.71		$	(0.59	)
	Discontinued operations		(0.29	)		(0.06	)		0.01
	Basic earnings per common share	$	0.47		$	0.65		$	(0.58	)
		2014			2013			2012
	Income from continuing operations	$	26,710		$	24,493		$	16,192
	Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(10,255	)		(2,004	)		187
	Net income		16,455			22,489			16,379
	Preferred stock dividends		-			-			514
	Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			73
	Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redeemed		-			-			35,776
	Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$	16,455		$	22,489		$	(19,984	)
	Shares:
	Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,955,760			34,761,160			34,313,636
	Dilutive shares		459,723			1,023,270			-
	Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted		35,415,483			35,784,430			34,313,636
	Diluted earnings per common share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.75		$	0.69		$	(0.59	)
	Discontinued operations		(0.29	)		(0.06	)		0.01
	Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.46		$	0.63		$	(0.58	)

Note_18_Segment_Information_Ta

Note 18 - Segment Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Reconciliation of Operating Profit (Loss) from Segments to Consolidated [Table Text Block]		Fiscal Year
		2014			2013			2012
		(Dollar amounts in thousands)
	Revenues:
	Company-owned steakhouse restaurants	$	327,731		$	306,539		$	294,600
	Franchise operations		15,763			15,012			13,836
	Unallocated other revenue and revenue discounts		2,603			803			1,849
	Total revenues	$	346,097		$	322,354		$	310,285
	Segment profits:
	Company-owned steakhouse restaurants	$	68,230		$	67,489		$	60,765
	Franchise operations		15,763			15,012			13,836
	Total segment profit		83,993			82,501			74,601
	Unallocated operating income		2,603			803			1,849
	Marketing and advertising expenses		(10,076	)		(9,341	)		(9,158	)
	General and administrative costs		(24,311	)		(27,808	)		(25,612	)
	Depreciation and amortization expenses		(10,917	)		(10,229	)		(11,050	)
	Pre-opening costs		(1,630	)		(691	)		(540	)
	Loss on impairments		0			0			(3,262	)
	Gain on settlements, net		0			1,719			683
	Interest expense, net		(1,159	)		(1,640	)		(2,364	)
	Debt issuance costs written off		0			0			(807	)
	Other income (expense)		37			(77	)		(293	)
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	$	38,540		$	35,237		$	24,047
	Capital expenditures:
	Company-owned steakhouse restaurants	$	14,867		$	11,242		$	9,667
	Corporate assets		1,097			1,723			621
	Mitchell's Restaurants		1,401			2,346			1,169
	Total capital expenditures	$	17,365		$	15,311		$	11,457
Reconciliation of Assets from Segment to Consolidated [Table Text Block]		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
		(Dollar amounts in thousands)
	Total assets:
	Company-owned steakhouse restaurants	$	155,757		$	143,388
	Franchise operations		2,151			2,253
	Corporate assets - unallocated		16,711			22,479
	Deferred income taxes - unallocated		28,829			29,582
	Mitchell's Restaurants		15,119			30,379
	Total assets	$	218,567		$	228,081

Note_19_Supplemental_Consolida1

Note 19 - Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statement Information (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block]		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	Bank credit card receivables	$	11,262		$	7,664
	Landlord contributions		443			104
	Franchise fees		2,116			2,120
	Trade		682			1,106
	Refundable income tax		2,335			955
	Receivable from gift card issuances		2,216			934
	Other		2,164			1,305
	Allowance for doubtful accounts		(760	)		(779	)
		$	20,458		$	13,409
Schedule of Other Assets [Table Text Block]		December 28,			December 29,
		2014			2013
	Deposits	$	764		$	899
	Deferred financing costs, net		901			1,322
	Other		39			39
		$	1,704		$	2,260

Note_20_Quarterly_Financial_Da1

Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Tables)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Quarterly Financial Information Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Quarterly Financial Information [Table Text Block]		Quarter Ended
		March 30,			June 29,			September 28,			December 28,
		2014			2014			2014			2014			Total
	Total revenues	$	90,354		$	83,006		$	73,795		$	98,941		$	346,097
	Cost and expenses		(76,400	)		(73,172	)		(69,833	)		(87,029	)		(306,435	)
	Operating income		13,954			9,834			3,962			11,912			39,662
	Interest expense, net		(287	)		(298	)		(297	)		(278	)		(1,159	)
	Other		9			12			5			12			37
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense		13,676			9,548			3,670			11,646			38,540
	Income tax expense		4,686			2,880			1,472			2,791			11,830
	Income from continuing operations		8,990			6,668			2,198			8,855			26,710
	Discontinued operations, net of income tax		(125	)		236			(9,496	)		(870	)		(10,255	)
	Net income (loss)	$	8,865		$	6,904		$	(7,298	)	$	7,985		$	16,455
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.25		$	0.19		$	0.06		$	0.26		$	0.76
	Discontinued operations		(0.00	)		0.01			(0.27	)		(0.03	)		(0.29	)
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.25		$	0.2		$	(0.21	)	$	0.23		$	0.47
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.25		$	0.18		$	0.06		$	0.26		$	0.75
	Discontinued operations		(0.00	)		0.01			(0.27	)		(0.03	)		(0.29	)
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.25		$	0.19		$	(0.21	)	$	0.23		$	0.46
	Dividends declared per common share	$	0.05		$	0.05		$	0.05		$	0.05		$	0.2
		Quarter Ended
		March 31,			June 30,			September 29,			December 29,
		2013			2013			2013			2013			Total
	Total revenues	$	85,879		$	80,193		$	68,651		$	87,631		$	322,354
	Cost and expenses		(73,091	)		(70,184	)		(63,588	)		(78,537	)		(285,400	)
	Operating income		12,787			10,010			5,062			9,094			36,953
	Interest expense, net		(516	)		(415	)		(414	)		(295	)		(1,640	)
	Other		25			(1	)		(101	)		(1	)		(77	)
	Income from continuing operations before income tax expense		12,297			9,593			4,548			8,798			35,237
	Income tax expense		3,881			2,452			1,623			2,787			10,744
	Income from continuing operations		8,416			7,141			2,925			6,011			24,493
	Discontinued operations, net of income tax		(755	)		626			(38	)		(1,836	)		(2,004	)
	Net income	$	7,661		$	7,767		$	2,887		$	4,175		$	22,489
	Basic earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.24		$	0.2		$	0.08		$	0.17		$	0.71
	Discontinued operations		(0.02	)		0.02			(0.00	)		(0.05	)		(0.06	)
	Basic earnings per share	$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.08		$	0.12		$	0.65
	Diluted earnings per share:
	Continuing operations	$	0.24		$	0.2		$	0.08		$	0.17		$	0.69
	Discontinued operations		(0.02	)		0.02			(0.00	)		(0.05	)		(0.06	)
	Diluted earnings per share	$	0.22		$	0.22		$	0.08		$	0.12		$	0.63
	Dividends declared per common share	$	-		$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.04		$	0.12

Note_1_The_Company_Organizatio2

Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 29, 2013
Entity Operated Units [Member] | Denver, Colorado [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period	1
Entity Operated Units [Member] | Gaithersburg, Maryland [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period	1
Entity Operated Units [Member] | Marina del Rey, California [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period	1
Entity Operated Units [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	65
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period	3
Franchised Units [Member] | International [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	20
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period		4
Franchised Units [Member] | International [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	20
Franchised Units [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	77
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period	3		4
Managed [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	1
Company-owned Fish Market Restaurants [Member] | Mitchell's Fish Market [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	18
Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member] | Cameron's/Mitchell's Steakhouse [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	3
Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	143
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period	6

Note_1_The_Company_Organizatio3

Note 1 - The Company, Organization and Description of Business (Details) - Summary of Restaurants (Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member])	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning of period	140	139
Acquired	0	1
Sold	0	1
New	3	6
Closed	0	2
End of period	143	143
% of total	100.00%	100.00%
Entity Operated Units [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning of period	63	63
Acquired	0	1
Sold	0	0
New	2	3
Closed	0	2
End of period	65	65
% of total	45.00%	45.00%
Franchised Units [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning of period	76	75
Acquired	0	0
Sold	0	1
New	1	3
Closed	0	0
End of period	77	77
% of total	54.00%	54.00%
Entity Managed Units [Member]
Franchisor Disclosure [Line Items]
Beginning of period	1	1
Acquired	0	0
Sold	0	0
New	0	0
Closed	0	0
End of period	1	1
% of total	1.00%	1.00%

Note_2_Summary_of_Significant_1

Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2013	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Increase (Decrease) in Gift Card Liability	$2,200,000
Revenue Recognition, Gift Cards, Breakage			2,600,000	804,000	1,900,000
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	10,586,000		4,301,000	10,586,000	7,909,000	3,925,000
Payments of Financing Costs			0	0	610,000
Amortization of Financing Costs			421,000	421,000	476,000
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost		807,000	0	0	807,000
Franchise Revenue			15,763,000	15,012,000	13,836,000
Advertising Expense			6,100,000	6,100,000	5,800,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			2,800,000
Goodwill	22,097,000		24,293,000	22,097,000
Franchised Units [Member] | International [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			20
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			20 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			40 years
Equipment [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Furniture and Fixtures [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			7 years
Computer Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			3 years
Computer Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			5 years
Leasehold Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life			20 years
Franchise Operations [Member] | International [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Franchise Revenue			3,200,000	3,000,000	2,700,000
Outstanding Checks [Member] | Accounts Payable and Accrued Payroll [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Cash and Cash Equivalents, at Carrying Value	10,100,000		7,600,000	10,100,000
Ruth's Chris Steak House Franchise in Austin, Texas [Member]
Note 2 - Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Details) [Line Items]
Payments to Acquire Businesses, Gross			2,800,000
Goodwill			2,200,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			259,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Other Noncurrent Assets			$368,000

Note_3_Mitchells_Restaurants_D

Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 28, 2014
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$15,300,000	$3,300,000	$0	$0	$3,262,000
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of					395,000
Contractual Obligation, Due in Second Year			600,000			600,000
Contractual Obligation, Due in Third Year			600,000			600,000
Contractual Obligation, Due in Next Twelve Months			600,000			600,000
Contingent Lease Liability					800,000
Mitchell's Fish Market and Cameron's Steakhouse [Member]
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of	8,000,000
Trademarks [Member]
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	7,300,000	400,000		400,000	0
Company-owned Fish Market Restaurants [Member] | Mitchell's Fish Market [Member]
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			18			18
Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member] | Cameron's Steakhouse [Member]
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			3			3
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member]
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			21			21
Asset Impairment Charges			15,295,000	2,512,000
Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration	10,000,000		10,000,000			10,000,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax			-1,825,000			-1,825,000
Mitchell's Fish Market [Member]
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment Loss Reclassified to Discontinued Operations, before Tax				-750,000	-1,700,000
Manhattan [Member]
Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) [Line Items]
Contingent Lease Liability			1,200,000			1,200,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax				($1,200,000)

Note_3_Mitchells_Restaurants_D1

Note 3 - Mitchell's Restaurants (Details) - Sale of Mitchell's Restaurants (Mitchell's Restaurants [Member], USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Selling price	$10,000	$10,000	$10,000
Reduction of deferred rent liability	4,869
Assets sold
Property and equipment, net	-8,910
Inventory	-952
Other liabilities incurred	-350
Selling costs	-965
Loss on pending sale	-1,825	-1,825
Inventory	952	952
Property and equipment, net	8,775	8,775
Total assets held for sale	15,119	15,119
Deferred rent liability	4,869	4,869
Total liabilities associated with assets held for sale	4,869	4,869
Trademarks [Member]
Assets sold
Intangible assets	-2,847
Intangible assets	2,847	2,847
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Assets sold
Intangible assets	-2,670
Intangible assets	$2,545	$2,545

Note_4_Discontinued_Operations

Note 4 - Discontinued Operations (Details) - Summary of Discontinued Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Revenues
Revenues									$77,360	$85,101	$88,304
Impairment losses
Impairment losses		15,300			3,300				0	0	3,262
Gain on settlement - Mitchell's Restaurants						-2,200			0	-1,719	-683
Remeasurement of lease exit liability										1,716
Total costs and expenses									95,087	89,531	89,352
Loss before income taxes									-17,727	-4,430	-1,048
Income tax benefit									-7,472	-2,426	-1,236
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	-870	-9,496	236	-125	-1,836	-38	626	-755	-10,255	-2,004	187
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member]
Revenues
Revenues									73,974	75,925	77,197
Recurring costs and expenses
Recurring costs and expenses									73,852	75,396	76,502
Impairment losses
Impairment losses									15,295	2,512
Loss on pending sale of Mitchell's Restaurants	1,825								1,825
Gain on settlement - Mitchell's Restaurants										-437
Other Restaurants [Member]
Revenues
Revenues									3,386	9,176	11,107
Recurring costs and expenses
Recurring costs and expenses									4,115	9,594	11,157
Impairment losses
Impairment losses										$750	$1,693

Note_5_Fair_Value_Measurements2

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value of Long-lived Non-financial Assets (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value of Long-lived Non-financial Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets held and used	$395
Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value of Long-lived Non-financial Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets held for sale		11,320
Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value of Long-lived Non-financial Assets [Line Items]
Long-lived assets held for sale		11,320
Long-lived assets held for sale		9,809
Long-lived assets held and used			$2,112

Note_5_Fair_Value_Measurements3

Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value of Intangible Assets (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Trademarks Held for Sale [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member] | Fair Value, Inputs, Level 3 [Member]
Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Trademarks	$2,847,000
Trademarks Held for Sale [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Trademarks	2,847,000
Trademarks	7,311,000
Trademarks [Member] | Income Approach Valuation Technique [Member]
Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Trademarks	400,000
Trademarks [Member]
Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Fair Value of Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Trademarks		$7,300,000	$400,000	$400,000	$0

Note_6_Goodwill_Franchise_Righ2

Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks (Details) [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$0	$0	$0
Franchise Rights [Member]
Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	0	0	0
Trademarks [Member]
Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)		400,000	0	7,300,000	400,000
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member] | Trademarks [Member]
Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)				7,300,000
Austin, TX [Member]
Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks (Details) [Line Items]
Goodwill, Acquired During Period	$2,200,000

Note_6_Goodwill_Franchise_Righ3

Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks (Details) - Carrying Value of Intangible Assets (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Value of Intangible Assets [Abstract]
Indefinite-lived franchise rights	$32,418	$32,200
Indefinite-lived trademarks	$118	$10,276

Note_6_Goodwill_Franchise_Righ4

Note 6 - Goodwill, Franchise Rights and Trademarks (Details) - Carrying Value of Goodwill (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Carrying Value of Goodwill [Abstract]
Gross goodwill	$57,665	$55,469
Accumulated impairment losses	-33,372	-33,372
Net carrying value of goodwill	$24,293	$22,097

Note_7_Property_and_Equipment_2

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 28, 2014
Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$15,300	$3,300	$0	$0	$3,262
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets to be Disposed of					395
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				2,100
Impairment of Long-Lived Assets Held-for-use					4,700
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member]
Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	8,000
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member]
Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges			15,295	2,512
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax			($1,825)			($1,825)

Note_7_Property_and_Equipment_3

Note 7 - Property and Equipment, Net (Details) - Summary of Property and Equipment (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	$195,062	$214,161
Less accumulated depreciation	-114,708	-122,691
	80,354	91,470
Land [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	917	917
Building and Building Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	24,175	23,760
Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	31,458	33,066
Computer Equipment [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	9,735	11,518
Furniture and Fixtures [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	16,583	18,946
Automobiles [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	27	27
Leasehold Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	108,061	121,768
Construction in Progress [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property and Equipment	$4,106	$4,159

Note_8_Longterm_Debt_Details

Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended			0 Months Ended
	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Feb. 14, 2012
Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio after Amendment					1.25
Maximum Leverage Ratio after Amendment					2.5
Debt Instrument Covenants on Cash Dividend Payments and Repurchases of Common or Preferred Stock		$100,000,000
Debt Covenant Limit Used for Cash Dividends and Repurchases of Common or Preferred Stock		26,800,000
Legal Fees	100,000
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	807,000	0	0	807,000
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement [Member] | Senior Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					2.00%
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement [Member] | Senior Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					2.75%
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement [Member] | Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					1.00%
Amended and Restated Credit Agreement [Member] | Senior Credit Facility [Member] | Base Rate [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate					1.75%
Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Long-term Line of Credit		13,000,000
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate		4.16%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		82,800,000
Letter of Credit [Member]
Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		4,200,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		2.19%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity		$100,000,000

Note_8_Longterm_Debt_Details_S

Note 8 - Long-term Debt (Details) - Summary of Long-term Debt (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Senior Credit Facility:
Revolving credit facility	$13,000	$19,000
Less current maturities	0	0
	$13,000	$19,000

Note_9_Leases_Details

Note 9 - Leases (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014
Note 9 - Leases (Details) [Line Items]
Deferred Rent Credit	$23,200,000	$20,000,000
Deferred Rent Credit, Current	2,100,000	2,000,000
Lease Termination Penalty	750,000
Lease Obligations Guaranteed		40,200,000
One of the Leases [Member]
Note 9 - Leases (Details) [Line Items]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		$250,000

Note_9_Leases_Details_Future_M

Note 9 - Leases (Details) - Future Minimum Lease Payments (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Note 9 - Leases (Details) - Future Minimum Lease Payments [Line Items]
2015	$26,125
2016	25,910
2017	23,982
2018	22,296
2019	20,949
Thereafter	159,277
	278,539
Mitchell's Fish Market [Member]
Note 9 - Leases (Details) - Future Minimum Lease Payments [Line Items]
2015	5,487
2016	5,568
2017	5,109
2018	4,986
2019	4,894
Thereafter	41,542
	67,586
Other Segments [Member]
Note 9 - Leases (Details) - Future Minimum Lease Payments [Line Items]
2015	20,638
2016	20,341
2017	18,873
2018	17,310
2019	16,055
Thereafter	117,735
	$210,952

Note_9_Leases_Details_Summary_

Note 9 - Leases (Details) - Summary of Rent Expense (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Summary of Rent Expense [Abstract]
Minimum rentals	$17,647	$16,424	$16,732
Contingent rentals	2,558	2,456	2,335
	$20,205	$18,880	$19,067

Note_10_Franchise_Operations_D

Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details)	12 Months Ended	13 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 30, 2012	Jul. 31, 2014	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014
Franchised Units [Member] | International [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			20
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period	4
Franchised Units [Member] | International [Member]
Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			20
Franchised Units [Member] | Boise, Idaho [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			1
Franchised Units [Member] | Panama City, Panama [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			1
Franchised Units [Member] | Taipei, Taiwan [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			1
Franchised Units [Member] | Dubai [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants					2
Number of Restaurants Closed During Period		1
Franchised Units [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			77
Number of Stores			3
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period			3	4
Number of Restaurants Acquired During Period	0			0
Number of Restaurants Sold During Period	0			0
Franchise Operations [Member] | International [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Franchise Restaurants to be Developed			4
Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Royalty of Sales Percentage			5.00%
Advertising Fee Percentage			1.00%
Number of Restaurants			143
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period			6

Note_10_Franchise_Operations_D1

Note 10 - Franchise Operations (Details) - Consolidated Statements of Income - Franchise Income (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Franchise income:
Income from existing franchise locations	$15,598	$14,612	$13,436
Opening and development fee income	165	400	400
Total franchise income:	$15,763	$15,012	$13,836

Note_11_Gain_on_Settlements_Co1

Note 11 - Gain on Settlements, Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Jun. 28, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Note 11 - Gain on Settlements, Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement		$2,200,000	$0	$1,719,000	$683,000
Litigation Settlement, Amount					2,500,000
Loss Contingency, Damages Sought, Value	30,000,000
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Note 11 - Gain on Settlements, Commitments and Contingencies (Details) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement		$437,000

Note_12_Redeemable_Convertible1

Note 12 - Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended			1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 08, 2012	Mar. 08, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 25, 2011	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Feb. 28, 2010
Note 12 - Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Payments for Repurchase of Convertible Preferred Stock					$59,740,000
Diluted Common Share Decreased Due to Repurchase of Preferred Stock (in Shares)		8,600,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	10.00%				10.00%
Dividend Amount Eliminated						2,500,000
Reduction in Net Income Due to Redemption of Preferred Stock		35,800,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value			25,000,000	25,000,000		25,000,000
Number of Common Stock that Would Have Been Issued Had Preferred Stock Converted (in Shares)			8,620,690
Closing Price as Percentage of Conversion Price				225.00%
Applicable Conversion Price for Period of Trading Days				20 days
Consecutive Trading Day Period				30 days
Adjustments to Additional Paid in Capital, Increase in Carrying Amount of Redeemable Preferred Stock				25,000,000	73,000
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member] | Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Note 12 - Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Face Amount	100,000,000	100,000,000
Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Note 12 - Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Preferred Stock, Shares Issued (in Shares)							25,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Convertible Preferred Stock							23,200,000
Payments of Stock Issuance Costs							1,800,000
Payments for Repurchase of Convertible Preferred Stock		$60,200,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage							10.00%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share (in Dollars per share)							$1,000

Note_13_Shareholders_Equity_De

Note 13 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended							12 Months Ended		2 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Feb. 28, 2015	Nov. 17, 2014	31-May-13
Note 13 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount											$50	$30
Stock Repurchased During Period, Shares (in Shares)	377,655							866,410	0
Treasury Stock, Value, Acquired, Cost Method	5.1							10.3
Treasury Stock Acquired, Average Cost Per Share (in Dollars per share)	$13.57							$11.87
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	44.9							44.9
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared (in Dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04	$0.20	$0.12
Subsequent Event [Member]
Note 13 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) [Line Items]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Declared (in Dollars per share)										$0.06
Dividends Payable, Current										$2.10

Note_13_Shareholders_Equity_De1

Note 13 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) - Dividends Declared (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014
Dividend Declared 1 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declariation Date	3-May-13
Dividend per Share	$0.04
Record Date	16-May-13
Total Amount	$1,430
Payment Date	30-May-13
Dividend Declared 2 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declariation Date	24-Jul-13
Dividend per Share	$0.04
Record Date	15-Aug-13
Total Amount	1,424
Payment Date	29-Aug-13
Dividend Declared 3 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declariation Date	22-Oct-13
Dividend per Share	$0.04
Record Date	14-Nov-13
Total Amount	1,424
Payment Date	26-Nov-13
Dividend Declared 4 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declariation Date		21-Feb-14
Dividend per Share		$0.05
Record Date		13-Mar-04
Total Amount		1,798
Payment Date		27-Mar-14
Dividends Declared 5 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declariation Date		22-Apr-14
Dividend per Share		$0.05
Record Date		15-May-14
Total Amount		1,798
Payment Date		29-May-14
Dividends Declared 6 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declariation Date		23-Jul-14
Dividend per Share		$0.05
Record Date		14-Aug-14
Total Amount		1,778
Payment Date		28-Aug-14
Dividends Declared 7 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declariation Date		29-Oct-14
Dividend per Share		$0.05
Record Date		20-Nov-14
Total Amount		$1,764
Payment Date		4-Dec-14

Note_14_Employee_Benefit_Plan_

Note 14 - Employee Benefit Plan (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Disclosure Text Block Supplement [Abstract]
Defined Contribution Plan, Cost Recognized	$307	$305	$298

Note_15_Incentive_and_Stock_Op2

Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) (USD $)	1 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 22, 2008	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation		2,821,000	2,343,000	2,322,000
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Tax Benefit from Compensation Expense		2,100,000	900,000	900,000
Adjustment to Additional in Capital, Income Tax Effect from Share-Based Net Compensation, Net		7,100,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number (in Shares)		569,275	625,945
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Stock Options		0
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Exercises in Period, Intrinsic Value		6,300,000	273,000	944,000
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised		183,000	208,000	393,000
Restricted Stock [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Not yet Recognized, Share-based Awards Other than Options		3,100,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number (in Shares)		569,275
Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition		1 year 215 days
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Vested in Period, Fair Value		1,900,000	3,300,000	700,000
Employee Stock Option [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Proceeds from Stock Options Exercised		183,000	208,000	393,000
Scenario, Previously Reported [Member] | Long-term Equity Incentive Plan 2005 [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in Shares)		2,400,000
Second Anniversary [Member] | Long-term Equity Incentive Plan 2005 [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Vested and Expected to Vest, Exercisable, Number (in Shares)		125,932	155,441
Minimum [Member] | Stock Option Plan 2000 [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		1 year
Minimum [Member] | Long-term Equity Incentive Plan 2005 [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		1 year
Maximum [Member] | Stock Option Plan 2000 [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		10 years
Maximum [Member] | Long-term Equity Incentive Plan 2005 [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period		5 years
Stock Option Plan 2000 [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized (in Shares)		1,765,981
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant (in Shares)		0
Long-term Equity Incentive Plan 2005 [Member]
Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant (in Shares)		2,800,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized (in Shares)	1,500,000		2,000,000
Share-Based Compensation Arrangement By Share Based Payment Award Shares Issuable (in Shares)		1,000,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross (in Shares)		275,794	247,225	230,585

Note_15_Incentive_and_Stock_Op3

Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) - Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Summary of Non-vested Restricted Stock [Abstract]
Non-vested shares at beginning of year	625,945
Non-vested shares at beginning of year	$7.04
Granted	275,794
Granted	$12.46
Vested	-332,464
Vested	$5.72
Non-vested shares at end of year	569,275
Non-vested shares at end of year	$10.46

Note_15_Incentive_and_Stock_Op4

Note 15 - Incentive and Stock Option Plans (Details) - Summary of Stock Option Activity (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014
Summary of Stock Option Activity [Abstract]
Outstanding at beginning of year	1,344,079
Outstanding at beginning of year	$8.09
Exercised	-872,158
Exercised	$5.36
Forfeited	-32,041
Forfeited	$13.17
Outstanding at end of year	439,880
Outstanding at end of year	$13.12
Outstanding at end of year	2 years 160 days
Outstanding at end of year	$1,757,215
Options exercisable at year end	439,880
Options exercisable at year end	$13.12
Options exercisable at year end	2 years 160 days
Options exercisable at year end	$1,757,215

Note_16_Income_Taxes_Details

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Operating Loss Carryforwards	$74,000,000
Tax Credit Carryforward, Amount	6,200,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	958,000	1,210,000
Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate	$622,000

Note_16_Income_Taxes_Details_I

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Expense (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Income Tax Expense [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$2,791	$1,472	$2,880	$4,686	$2,787	$1,623	$2,452	$3,881	$11,830	$10,744	$7,855
Loss from discontinued operations									-7,472	-2,426	-1,236
Total consolidated income tax expense									$4,358	$8,318	$6,619

Note_16_Income_Taxes_Details_I1

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Expense From Continuing Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Income Tax Expense From Continuing Operations [Abstract]
U.S. Federal, Current									$3,475	$2,056	$2,466
U.S. Federal, Deferred									6,447	6,708	2,815
U.S. Federal, Total									9,922	8,764	5,281
State, Current									562	136	1,284
State, Deferred									961	1,495	983
State, Total									1,523	1,631	2,267
Foreign, Current									385	349	307
Foreign, Deferred									0	0	0
Foreign, Total									385	349	307
Current									4,422	2,541	4,057
Deferred									7,408	8,203	3,798
Total	$2,791	$1,472	$2,880	$4,686	$2,787	$1,623	$2,452	$3,881	$11,830	$10,744	$7,855

Note_16_Income_Taxes_Details_I2

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Reconciliation (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$2,791	$1,472	$2,880	$4,686	$2,787	$1,623	$2,452	$3,881	$11,830	$10,744	$7,855
Continuing Operations [Member]
Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
Income tax expense at statutory rates									13,489	12,333	8,416
State income taxes at state statutory rate, net of federal impact									1,813	1,444	1,228
Federal FICA tip credit net benefit									-2,814	-2,634	-2,449
State employment tax credits generated in prior years									-331	-623	0
Increase to valuation allowance									0	243	253
Other									-327	-19	407
Income tax expense (benefit)									11,830	10,744	7,855
Effective tax rate									30.70%	30.50%	32.70%
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Income Tax Reconciliation [Line Items]
Income tax expense at statutory rates									-6,204	-1,550	-367
State income taxes at state statutory rate, net of federal impact									-701	-198	-54
Federal FICA tip credit net benefit									-567	-678	-815
Income tax expense (benefit)									($7,472)	($2,426)	($1,236)
Effective tax rate									42.20%	54.80%	117.90%

Note_16_Income_Taxes_Details_D

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Deferred Tax Assets (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Deferred tax assets:
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	$3,775	$4,371
Deferred rent	9,911	10,046
Net state operating loss carryforwards	2,923	3,623
Tax credit carryforwards	6,236	7,364
Property and equipment	10,589	9,209
Other	335	423
Total gross deferred tax assets	33,769	35,036
Less valuation allowance	-947	-1,108
Net deferred tax assets	32,822	33,928
Deferred tax liabilities:
Intangible assets	-3,993	-4,346
Total gross deferred tax liabilities	-3,993	-4,346
Net deferred tax assets	$28,829	$29,582

Note_16_Income_Taxes_Details_U

Note 16 - Income Taxes (Details) - Unrecognized Tax Benefit Reconciliation (USD $)	12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Unrecognized Tax Benefit Reconciliation [Abstract]
Unrecognized tax benefits	$958	$1,210
Gross increases for tax positions of prior years	217
Settlements	($469)

Note_17_Earnings_Per_Share_Det

Note 17 - Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	153,613	202,824	824,850
Weighted Average Exercise Prices Anti Dilutive Stock Options (in Dollars per share)	$18.70	$18.67	$11.37
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount up-to on Conversion			8,620,690
Preferred Stock Shares to be Converted			25,000

Note_17_Earnings_Per_Share_Det1

Note 17 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$8,855	$2,198	$6,668	$8,990	$6,011	$2,925	$7,141	$8,416	$26,710	$24,493	$16,192
Loss (income) from discontinued operations, net of income benefit (expense)	-870	-9,496	236	-125	-1,836	-38	626	-755	-10,255	-2,004	187
Net income	7,985	-7,298	6,904	8,865	4,175	2,887	7,767	7,661	16,455	22,489	16,379
Preferred stock dividends											514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value											73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed											35,776
Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders									16,455	22,489	-19,984
Undistributed net income (loss)									16,455	22,489	-19,984
Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders									$16,455	$22,489	($19,984)
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in Shares)									34,955,760	34,761,160	34,313,636
Dilutive shares (in Shares)									459,723	1,023,270
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in Shares)									35,415,483	35,784,430	34,313,636
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$0.26	$0.06	$0.18	$0.25	$0.17	$0.08	$0.20	$0.24	$0.75	$0.69	($0.59)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	($0.03)	($0.27)	$0.01	$0	($0.05)	$0	$0.02	($0.02)	($0.29)	($0.06)	$0.01
Diluted earnings per common share (in Dollars per share)	$0.23	($0.21)	$0.19	$0.25	$0.12	$0.08	$0.22	$0.22	$0.46	$0.63	($0.58)
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$0.26	$0.06	$0.19	$0.25	$0.17	$0.08	$0.20	$0.24	$0.76	$0.71	($0.59)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	($0.03)	($0.27)	$0.01	$0	($0.05)	$0	$0.02	($0.02)	($0.29)	($0.06)	$0.01
Basic earnings per common share (in Dollars per share)	$0.23	($0.21)	$0.20	$0.25	$0.12	$0.08	$0.22	$0.22	$0.47	$0.65	($0.58)

Note_18_Segment_Information_De

Note 18 - Segment Information (Details)	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
Note 18 - Segment Information (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments		3
Number of Reportable Segments	2
Entity Operated Units [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 18 - Segment Information (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	65
Management Agreement Operating Unit [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 18 - Segment Information (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	1
Franchised Units [Member] | Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 18 - Segment Information (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	77
Ruth's Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 18 - Segment Information (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	143

Note_18_Segment_Information_De1

Note 18 - Segment Information (Details) - Segment Information, Operating Profit (Loss) (USD $)	3 Months Ended									12 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Mar. 25, 2012	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Revenues:
Revenues	$98,941	$73,795	$83,006	$90,354	$87,631	$68,651	$80,193	$85,879		$346,097	$322,354	$310,285
Segment profits:
Segment profits										83,993	82,501	74,601
Unallocated operating income	11,912	3,962	9,834	13,954	9,094	5,062	10,010	12,787		39,662	36,954	27,511
Marketing and advertising expenses										-10,076	-9,341	-9,158
General and administrative costs										-24,311	-27,808	-25,612
Depreciation and amortization expenses										-10,917	-10,229	-11,050
Pre-opening costs										-1,630	-691	-540
Loss on impairments		-15,300			-3,300					0	0	-3,262
Gain on settlements, net						2,200				0	1,719	683
Interest expense, net	-278	-297	-298	-287	-295	-414	-415	-516		-1,159	-1,640	-2,364
Debt issuance costs written off									-807	0	0	-807
Other income (expense)	12	5	12	9	-1	-101	-1	25		37	-77	-293
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	11,646	3,670	9,548	13,676	8,798	4,548	9,593	12,297		38,540	35,237	24,047
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures										17,365	15,311	11,457
Operating Segments [Member] | Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues										327,731	306,539	294,600
Segment profits:
Segment profits										68,230	67,489	60,765
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures										14,867	11,242	9,667
Operating Segments [Member] | Franchise Operations [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues										15,763	15,012	13,836
Segment profits:
Segment profits										15,763	15,012	13,836
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues										2,603	803	1,849
Segment profits:
Unallocated operating income										2,603	803	1,849
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures										1,097	1,723	621
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member]
Segment profits:
Loss on impairments		-8,000
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditures										$1,401	$2,346	$1,169

Note_18_Segment_Information_De2

Note 18 - Segment Information (Details) - Segment Information, Assets (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Total assets:
Assets	$218,567	$228,081
Deferred income taxes - unallocated	28,829	29,582
Operating Segments [Member] | Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member]
Total assets:
Assets	155,757	143,388
Operating Segments [Member] | Franchise Operations [Member]
Total assets:
Assets	2,151	2,253
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Total assets:
Assets	16,711	22,479
Deferred income taxes - unallocated	28,829	29,582
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member]
Total assets:
Assets	$15,119	$30,379

Note_19_Supplemental_Consolida2

Note 19 - Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statement Information (Details) - Summary of Accounts Receivable (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Accounts Receivable [Abstract]
Bank credit card receivables	$11,262	$7,664
Landlord contributions	443	104
Franchise fees	2,116	2,120
Trade	682	1,106
Refundable income tax	2,335	955
Receivable from gift card issuances	2,216	934
Other	2,164	1,305
Allowance for doubtful accounts	-760	-779
	$20,458	$13,409

Note_19_Supplemental_Consolida3

Note 19 - Supplemental Consolidated Financial Statement Information (Details) - Summary of Other Assets (USD $)	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Summary of Other Assets [Abstract]
Deposits	$764	$899
Deferred financing costs, net	901	1,322
Other	39	39
	$1,704	$2,260

Note_20_Quarterly_Financial_Da2

Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended			3 Months Ended
	Sep. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012	Dec. 28, 2014
Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges	$15,300,000	$3,300,000		$0	$0	$3,262,000
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement			2,200,000	0	1,719,000	683,000
Increase (Decrease) in Gift Card Liability		2,200,000
Trademarks [Member]
Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) [Line Items]
Impairment of Intangible Assets, Indefinite-lived (Excluding Goodwill)	7,300,000	400,000			400,000	0
Change in Estimated Fair Value Restaurant Assets [Member]
Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges					2,100,000
Lease Termination [Member]
Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges					750,000
Discontinued Operations [Member]
Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) [Line Items]
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement			437,000
Mitchell's Restaurants [Member]
Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) [Line Items]
Asset Impairment Charges				15,295,000	2,512,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax				-1,825,000			-1,825,000
Gain (Loss) Related to Litigation Settlement					$437,000

Note_20_Quarterly_Financial_Da3

Note 20 - Quarterly Financial Data (Unaudited) (Details) - Quarterly Results of Operations (USD $)	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Dec. 28, 2014	Sep. 28, 2014	Jun. 29, 2014	Mar. 30, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Sep. 29, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013	Mar. 31, 2013	Dec. 28, 2014	Dec. 29, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Quarterly Results of Operations [Abstract]
Total revenues	$98,941	$73,795	$83,006	$90,354	$87,631	$68,651	$80,193	$85,879	$346,097	$322,354	$310,285
Cost and expenses	-87,029	-69,833	-73,172	-76,400	-78,537	-63,588	-70,184	-73,091	-306,435	-285,400	-282,774
Operating income	11,912	3,962	9,834	13,954	9,094	5,062	10,010	12,787	39,662	36,954	27,511
Interest expense, net	-278	-297	-298	-287	-295	-414	-415	-516	-1,159	-1,640	-2,364
Other	12	5	12	9	-1	-101	-1	25	37	-77	-293
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	11,646	3,670	9,548	13,676	8,798	4,548	9,593	12,297	38,540	35,237	24,047
Income tax expense	2,791	1,472	2,880	4,686	2,787	1,623	2,452	3,881	11,830	10,744	7,855
Income from continuing operations	8,855	2,198	6,668	8,990	6,011	2,925	7,141	8,416	26,710	24,493	16,192
Discontinued operations, net of income tax	-870	-9,496	236	-125	-1,836	-38	626	-755	-10,255	-2,004	187
Net income (loss)	$7,985	($7,298)	$6,904	$8,865	$4,175	$2,887	$7,767	$7,661	$16,455	$22,489	$16,379
Basic earnings per share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$0.26	$0.06	$0.19	$0.25	$0.17	$0.08	$0.20	$0.24	$0.76	$0.71	($0.59)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	($0.03)	($0.27)	$0.01	$0	($0.05)	$0	$0.02	($0.02)	($0.29)	($0.06)	$0.01
Basic earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.23	($0.21)	$0.20	$0.25	$0.12	$0.08	$0.22	$0.22	$0.47	$0.65	($0.58)
Diluted earnings per share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$0.26	$0.06	$0.18	$0.25	$0.17	$0.08	$0.20	$0.24	$0.75	$0.69	($0.59)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	($0.03)	($0.27)	$0.01	$0	($0.05)	$0	$0.02	($0.02)	($0.29)	($0.06)	$0.01
Diluted earnings per share (in Dollars per share)	$0.23	($0.21)	$0.19	$0.25	$0.12	$0.08	$0.22	$0.22	$0.46	$0.63	($0.58)
Dividends declared per common share (in Dollars per share)	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.05	$0.04	$0.04	$0.04		$0.20	$0.12