Ruths Hospitality (RUTH) 10-Q 1 Nov 19 2019 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Oct. 29, 2019
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	0001324272
Trading Symbol	RUTH
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 29, 2019
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2019
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity File Number	000-51485
Entity Tax Identification Number	72-1060618
Entity Address, Address Line One	1030 W. Canton Avenue
Entity Address, Address Line Two	Suite 100
Entity Address, City or Town	Winter Park
Entity Address, State or Province	FL
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	32789
City Area Code	407
Local Phone Number	333-7440
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Transition Report	false
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.01 per share
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		29,501,040
Unvested Restricted Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		874,349

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,308			$ 5,062	$ 4,877			$ 4,051
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2019 - $170; 2018 - $322	16,584			19,476
Inventory	8,873			9,296
Prepaid expenses and other	2,568			2,528
Total current assets	31,333			36,362
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 2019 - $174,028; 2018 - $160,153	137,771			125,991
Operating lease right of use assets	195,629
Goodwill	45,549			36,522
Deferred income taxes	4,806			5,353
Other assets	595			604
Total assets	470,709			254,613
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,860			10,273
Accrued payroll	12,962			19,475
Accrued expenses	7,670			10,535
Deferred revenue	40,999			48,370
Current operating lease liabilities	14,218
Other current liabilities	2,680			6,619
Total current liabilities	87,389			95,272
Long-term debt	83,000			41,000
Operating lease liabilities	210,821
Deferred rent				23,692
Unearned franchise fees	2,738			2,680
Other liabilities	50			1,837
Total liabilities	383,998			164,481
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 28,624,637 shares issued and outstanding at September 29, 2019, 29,268,776 shares issued and outstanding at December 30, 2018	286			293
Additional paid-in capital	43,669			61,819
Retained earnings	42,756			28,020
Treasury stock, at cost; 71,950 shares at September 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018
Total shareholders' equity	86,711	$ 98,111	$ 98,649	90,132	$ 89,286	$ 87,789	$ 87,589	$ 79,504
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	470,709			254,613
Franchise Rights [Member]
Current assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	50,545			44,919
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Current assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$ 4,481			$ 4,862

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 170	$ 322
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 174,028	$ 160,153
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	28,624,637	29,268,776
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	28,624,637	29,268,776
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	71,950	71,950
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 3,773	$ 2,299
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 1,407	$ 1,395

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 103,009	$ 99,015	$ 332,993	$ 325,175
Costs and expenses:
Marketing and advertising	3,174	3,813	10,925	11,930
General and administrative costs	8,335	8,809	26,016	27,056
Depreciation and amortization expenses	5,361	4,628	15,453	13,762
Pre-opening costs	535	845	876	1,258
Total costs and expenses	97,438	94,161	298,932	292,228
Operating income	5,571	4,854	34,061	32,947
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(638)	(470)	(1,460)	(1,253)
Other	18	(65)	33	(31)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	4,951	4,319	32,634	31,663
Income tax expense	423	727	4,886	4,873
Income from continuing operations	4,528	3,592	27,748	26,790
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		9		30
Net income	$ 4,528	$ 3,601	$ 27,748	$ 26,820
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16	$ 0.12	$ 0.95	$ 0.90
Basic earnings per share	0.16	0.12	0.95	0.90
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	0.16	0.12	0.94	0.88
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.16	$ 0.12	$ 0.94	$ 0.88
Shares used in computing earnings per common share:
Basic (in shares)	28,951,612	29,720,472	29,159,922	29,708,055
Diluted (in shares)	29,191,076	30,358,284	29,563,396	30,370,193
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.13	$ 0.11	$ 0.39	$ 0.33
Restaurant Sales [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 97,226	$ 93,488	$ 314,229	$ 307,390
Franchise Income [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	3,928	4,030	12,907	12,905
Other Operating Income [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	1,855	1,497	5,857	4,880
Food and Beverage [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	28,817	26,440	89,688	86,894
Restaurant Operating Expenses [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	$ 51,216	$ 49,626	$ 155,974	$ 151,328

Condensed Consolidated Statem_2

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock [Member]	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member]	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	$ 79,504	$ 296	$ 77,017	$ 2,191
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		29,646			72
Net income	13,646			13,646
Cash dividends	(3,390)			(3,390)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects	(1,687)	$ 2	(1,689)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects (in shares)		146
Stock-based compensation	1,841		1,841
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	(2,324)			(2,324)
Balance at Apr. 01, 2018	87,589	$ 298	77,169	10,122
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 01, 2018		29,792			72
Balance at Dec. 31, 2017	79,504	$ 296	77,017	2,191
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2017		29,646			72
Net income	26,820
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	89,286	$ 297	72,479	16,510
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018		29,730			72
Balance at Apr. 01, 2018	87,589	$ 298	77,169	10,122
Balance (in shares) at Apr. 01, 2018		29,792			72
Net income	9,573			9,573
Cash dividends	(3,397)			(3,397)
Repurchase of common stock	(5,943)	$ (2)	(5,941)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(225)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects	(2,062)	$ 1	(2,063)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects (in shares)		129
Stock-based compensation	2,029		2,029
Balance at Jul. 01, 2018	87,789	$ 297	71,194	16,298
Balance (in shares) at Jul. 01, 2018		29,696			72
Net income	3,601			3,601
Cash dividends	(3,389)			(3,389)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects	(565)		(565)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects (in shares)		34
Stock-based compensation	1,850		1,850
Balance at Sep. 30, 2018	89,286	$ 297	72,479	16,510
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2018		29,730			72
Balance at Dec. 30, 2018	90,132	$ 293	61,819	28,020
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2018		29,269			72
Net income	13,911			13,911
Cash dividends	(3,967)			(3,967)
Repurchase of common stock	(568)		(568)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(26)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects	(1,631)	$ 1	(1,632)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects (in shares)		133
Stock-based compensation	2,033		2,033
Cumulative effect of a change in accounting principle	(1,261)			(1,261)
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	98,649	$ 294	61,652	36,703
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		29,376			72
Balance at Dec. 30, 2018	90,132	$ 293	61,819	28,020
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2018		29,269			72
Net income	27,748
Balance at Sep. 29, 2019	86,711	$ 286	43,669	42,756
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 29, 2019		28,625			72
Balance at Mar. 31, 2019	98,649	$ 294	61,652	36,703
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2019		29,376			72
Net income	9,309			9,309
Cash dividends	(3,931)			(3,931)
Repurchase of common stock	(6,572)	$ (3)	(6,569)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(250)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects	(1,445)	$ 1	(1,446)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects (in shares)		102
Stock-based compensation	2,101		2,101
Balance at Jun. 30, 2019	98,111	$ 292	55,738	42,081
Balance (in shares) at Jun. 30, 2019		29,228			72
Net income	4,528			4,528
Cash dividends	(3,854)			(3,854)
Repurchase of common stock	(13,456)	$ (7)	(13,449)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(664)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects	(632)	$ 1	(633)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects (in shares)		61
Stock-based compensation	2,014		2,014
Balance at Sep. 29, 2019	$ 86,711	$ 286	$ 43,669	$ 42,756
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 29, 2019		28,625			72

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.13	$ 0.11	$ 0.11	$ 0.11

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 27,748	$ 26,820
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	15,453	13,762
Deferred income taxes	960	744
Non-cash interest expense	62	62
Loss on disposal of property and equipment, net		21
Amortization of below market lease		59
Stock-based compensation expense	6,148	5,720
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	3,704	10,295
Inventories	698	700
Prepaid expenses and other	67	287
Other assets	(17)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(15,483)	(9,797)
Deferred revenue	(8,096)	(6,070)
Deferred rent		834
Operating lease liabilities and assets	487
Other liabilities	(917)	(2,895)
Net cash provided by operating activities	30,814	40,542
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(19,864)	(22,113)
Acquisition of franchise restaurants, net of cash acquired	(18,613)
Acquisition of intangible assets		(1,171)
Net cash used in investing activities	(38,477)	(23,284)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal borrowings on long-term debt	54,000	23,000
Principal repayments on long-term debt	(12,000)	(19,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(20,596)	(5,943)
Cash dividend payments	(11,752)	(10,176)
Tax payments from the vesting of restricted stock and option exercises	(3,720)	(4,342)
Deferred financing costs	(35)
Proceeds from the exercise of stock options	12	29
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	5,909	(16,432)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(1,754)	826
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,062	4,051
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	3,308	4,877
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	1,400	1,204
Income taxes	6,707	6,730
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Accrued acquisition of property and equipment	$ 5,722	$ 1,253

The Company and Basis of Presen

The Company and Basis of Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Organization Consolidation And Presentation Of Financial Statements [Abstract]
The Company and Basis of Presentation	(1) The Company and Basis of Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) as of September 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 and for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended September 29, 2019 and September 30, 2018 have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. is a restaurant company focused on the upscale dining segment. Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. operates Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants and sells 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. As of September 29, 2019, there were 157 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, including 81 Company-owned restaurants, three restaurants operating under contractual agreements and 73 franchisee-owned restaurants, including 21 international franchisee-owned restaurants in Aruba, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Taiwan. All Company-owned restaurants are located in the United States. Subsequent to the end of the quarter a Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant was opened in Columbus, OH. On July 29, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of three franchisee-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants located in Philadelphia, PA, King of Prussia, PA and Garden City, NY (the “MBR Franchise Acquisition”) for a cash purchase price of $18.6 million. The acquisition was funded with debt through the Company’s senior credit facility. The results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the MBR Franchise Acquisition are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of the acquisition. For additional information, see Note 2. The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the operating results for the respective periods. The interim results of operations for the periods ended September 29, 2019 and September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018. The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in December. The fiscal quarters ended September 29, 2019 and September 30, 2018 each contained thirteen weeks and are referred to herein as the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 and the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, respectively. Fiscal years 2019 and 2018 are both 52-week years. Estimates Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reporting of revenue and expenses during the periods to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amounts of property and equipment, goodwill, franchise rights, lease right of use assets and obligations related to gift cards, income taxes, lease liabilities, incentive compensation, workers’ compensation and medical insurance. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Recent Adopted Accounting Standard In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company adopted this new lease standard on December 31, 2018. See Note 3 for further information about our transition to this new lease standard.

Acquisition of Franchise Restau

Acquisition of Franchise Restaurant	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisition of Franchise Restaurant	(2) Acquisition of Franchise Restaurant On July 29, 2019 the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of the MBR Franchise Acquisition restaurants for a cash purchase price of $18.6 million. The acquisition was funded with borrowings under the Company’s senior credit facility. The results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the MBR Franchise Acquisition restaurants are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of the acquisition. The assets and liabilities of the MBR Franchise Acquisition restaurants were recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of the acquisition. The fair values recorded for the assets of the MBR Franchise Acquisition, including working capital, restaurant related fixed assets, leasehold improvements, franchise and territory rights and goodwill, are based on preliminary valuations and are subject to adjustments as additional information is obtained. The Company is in the process of confirming the fair values using a combination of internal analysis and third party valuations. Once the process is complete, any adjustments to the fair value of assets acquired or liabilities assumed may also result in adjustments to goodwill. The preliminary allocation of purchase price is as follows (in thousands): Balances at September 29, 2019 Current assets $ 387 Property and equipment 2,398 Goodwill 9,027 Franchise Rights 7,100 Other intangibles 475 Total assets acquired $ 19,387 Current liabilities 725 Other liabilities 43 Total liabilities assumed $ 768 Net assets acquired $ 18,619 The goodwill for the MBR Franchise Acquisition is all deductible for federal income tax purposes. Goodwill was measured as the excess of the consideration transferred over the net of the amounts assigned to identifiable assets acquired and the liabilities assumed as of the acquisition date, and includes the economic value of expected future cash flows not assigned to identifiable assets, efficiencies from combining the operations of the acquired restaurants with other Company-owned restaurants and an assembled workforce. The goodwill for the MBR Franchise Acquisition, which is included with the goodwill for the reporting unit identified as the steakhouse operating segment, will be reviewed for potential impairment annually or more frequently if triggering events are detected. The determination of the acquisition date fair value of the franchise and territory rights was based on a multi-period excess earnings approach and involved projected after-royalty future earnings discounted using a market discount rate, from which a contributory asset charge for net working capital, property and equipment and assembled workforce was subtracted. The reacquired franchise and territory rights will be amortized over a weighted average term of 8.2 years, which reflects the remaining terms of the related franchise agreements, not including renewal options. Property and equipment will be depreciated over a period of two to twenty years. As a result of the acquisition and related integration efforts, we incurred expenses of approximately $412 thousand during the fiscal year 2019, which are included in general and administrative expenses in the Company’s consolidated statements of income. Pro-forma financial information reflecting the impact of the MBR Franchise Acquisition for periods prior to the acquisition are not presented due to the immaterial impact of the financial results of the MBR Franchise Acquisition on the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Leases

Leases	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	(3) Leases Effective December 31, 2018, the Company adopted Topic 842 using the modified retrospective method for all leases in effect at the date of adoption. This new lease standard requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability for future lease obligations and a corresponding operating lease right-of-use (ROU) asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company chose the effective date as its initial date of adoption. Consequently, the comparative information has not been restated and continues to be reported under the accounting standards in effect for those periods. The Company elected the package of practical expedients permitted under the transition guidance, which allowed the Company to carry forward prior conclusions regarding lease identification, lease classification and initial indirect costs for existing leases. The Company did not elect the hindsight practical expedient. In addition to the recognition of a liability for future lease obligations and a corresponding ROU asset, upon adoption, the Company: - Derecognized existing deferred rent and tenant allowance balances totaling $25.4 million. - Derecognized existing assets related to below market leases of $758 thousand. - Derecognized existing deferred gains on previous sale-leaseback transactions of $1.8 million. The deferred gain associated with this change in accounting was recognized through opening retained earnings as of December 31, 2018. - Recognized a retained earnings adjustment of $3.5 million related to the write-off of the ROU asset from a previously impaired Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant. - Recognized $413 thousand of additional deferred income taxes from the previously mentioned adoption related equity adjustments. The Company did not experience material changes to either the consolidated statements of income or the consolidated statements of cash flows due to the adoption of Topic 842. The following table summarizes the impacts of adopting Topic 842 on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands): December 30, Adjustments Due 2018 to the Adoption December 31, As Reported of ASC 842 2018 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,062 $ — $ 5,062 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 19,476 812 20,288 Inventory 9,296 — 9,296 Prepaid expenses and other 2,528 — 2,528 Total current assets 36,362 812 37,174 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 125,991 — 125,991 Operating lease right of use assets — 166,040 166,040 Goodwill 36,522 — 36,522 Franchise rights, net of accumulated amortization 44,919 — 44,919 Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 4,862 (758 ) 4,104 Deferred income taxes 5,353 413 5,766 Other assets 604 — 604 Total assets $ 254,613 $ 166,507 $ 421,120 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 10,273 $ — $ 10,273 Accrued payroll 19,475 — 19,475 Accrued expenses 10,535 — 10,535 Deferred revenue 48,370 — 48,370 Current operating lease liabilities — 16,707 16,707 Other current liabilities 6,619 (1,698 ) 4,921 Total current liabilities 95,272 15,009 110,281 Long-term debt 41,000 — 41,000 Operating lease liabilities — 178,256 178,256 Deferred rent 23,692 (23,692 ) — Unearned franchise fees 2,680 — 2,680 Other liabilities 1,837 (1,805 ) 32 Total liabilities 164,481 167,768 332,249 Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) — — — Shareholders' equity: Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 29,268,776 shares issued and outstanding at December 30, 2018 293 — 293 Additional paid-in capital 61,819 — 61,819 Retained earnings 28,020 (1,261 ) 26,759 Treasury stock, at cost; 71,950 shares at December 30, 2018 — — — Total shareholders' equity 90,132 (1,261 ) 88,871 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 254,613 $ 166,507 $ 421,120 The Company leases restaurant facilities and equipment. The Company determines whether an arrangement is or contains a lease at contract inception. The Company’s leases are all classified as operating leases, which are included as ROU assets and operating lease liabilities in the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet. Operating lease liabilities are recognized based on the present value of future minimum lease payments over the expected lease term at commencement date. ROU assets are measured based on the operating lease liabilities adjusted for lease incentives, initial indirect costs and impairments of operating lease assets. Minimum lease payments include only the fixed lease components of the agreements, as well as any variable rate payments that depend on an index, which are measured initially using the index at the lease commencement dates. To determine the present value of future minimum lease payments, the Company estimates incremental secured borrowing rates based on the information available at the lease commencement dates, or the transition date at adoption. The Company estimates its rates by starting with the interest rate on its senior revolving credit facility and makes adjustments to that rate to reflect the amount that it would pay to borrow the amount of the lease payments on a collateralized basis over similar terms. The Company validates such rates by determining its credit rating, adjusting the rating to capture payment terms on a collateralized basis and establishing a yield curve based on such credit rating. The expected lease terms include options to extend when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the options up to a total term of 20 years . For financial reporting purposes, minimum rent payments are expensed on a straight-line basis over the lives of the leases. Additionally, incentives received from landlords used to fund leasehold improvements reduce the ROU assets related to those leases and are amortized as reductions to rent expense over the lives of the leases. Variable lease payments that do not depend on a rate or index, payments associated with non-lease components and short-term rentals (leases with terms less than 12 months) are expensed as incurred . At September 29, 2019, all of the Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants operated in leased premises, with the exception of the restaurant in Ft. Lauderdale, FL, which is an owned property, and the restaurants in Anaheim, CA, Lake Mary, FL Princeton, NJ and South Barrington, IL, which operate on leased land. The leases generally provide for minimum annual rental payments with scheduled minimum rent payments increases during the terms of the leases. Certain leases also provide for rent deferral during the initial term, lease incentives in the form of tenant allowances to fund leasehold improvements, and/or contingent rent provisions based on the sales at the underlying restaurants. Most of the Company’s restaurant leases have remaining lease terms of 1 year to 20 years, some of which include options to extend the leases for 5 years or more. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or material restrictive covenants. The weighted average term and discount rate for operating leases is 13.3 years and 5.0%, respectively. The components of lease expense are as follows (in thousands): 13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended Classification September 29, 2019 September 29, 2019 Operating lease cost Restaurant operating expenses and General and administrative costs $ 6,962 $ 20,055 Variable lease cost Restaurant operating expenses and General and administrative costs 2,417 7,770 Total lease cost $ 9,379 $ 27,825 As of September 29, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities are summarized as follows (in thousands): Operating Leases 2019, excluding first thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2019 $ 6,958 2020 28,039 2021 26,892 2022 25,654 2023 22,660 Thereafter 208,059 Total future minimum rental commitments $ 318,262 As previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, and under the previous lease accounting prior to the adoption of ASC 842, future minimum annual rental commitments for operating leases as of December 30, 2018 were as follows (in thousands): Operating Leases 2019 $ 25,767 2020 24,177 2021 22,520 2022 21,388 2023 18,858 Thereafter 154,661 Total future minimum rental commitments $ 267,371 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): 39 Weeks Ended September 29, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 19,688 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 41,522

Revenue

Revenue	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Revenue	(4) Revenue In the following tables, the Company’s revenue is disaggregated by major component for each category on the consolidated statements of income (in thousands). 13 Weeks Ended September 29, 2019: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 97,226 $ — $ 97,226 Franchise income 3,267 661 3,928 Other operating income 1,855 — 1,855 Total revenue $ 102,348 $ 661 $ 103,009 13 Weeks Ended September 30, 2018: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 93,488 $ — $ 93,488 Franchise income 3,391 639 4,030 Other operating income 1,497 — 1,497 Total revenue $ 98,376 $ 639 $ 99,015 39 Weeks Ended September 29, 2019: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 314,229 $ — $ 314,229 Franchise income 10,803 2,104 12,907 Other operating income 5,857 — 5,857 Total revenue $ 330,889 $ 2,104 $ 332,993 39 Weeks Ended September 30, 2018: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 307,390 $ — $ 307,390 Franchise income 10,849 2,056 12,905 Other operating income 4,880 — 4,880 Total revenue $ 323,119 $ 2,056 $ 325,175 The following table provides information about receivables and deferred revenue liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands). September 29, December 30, 2019 2018 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2019 - $170; 2018 - $322 $ 11,105 $ 18,336 Deferred revenue $ 40,999 $ 48,370 Unearned franchise fees $ 2,738 $ 2,680 Significant changes in the deferred revenue balance and the unearned franchise fees balance during the first t hirty-nine weeks of fiscal year 2019 are presented in the following table (in thousands). Deferred Unearned Revenue Franchise Fees Balance at December 30, 2018 $ 48,370 $ 2,680 Decreases in the beginning balance from gift card redemptions (25,455 ) — Increases due to proceeds received, excluding amounts recognized during the period 17,020 — Increases due to acquisition of franchise restaurants 725 — Decreases due to recognition of franchise development and opening fees — (192 ) Increases due to proceeds received for franchise development and opening fees — 250 Other 339 — Balance at September 29, 2019 $ 40,999 $ 2,738

Long-term Debt

Long-term Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	(5) Long-term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands): September 29, December 30, 2019 2018 Senior Credit Facility: Revolving credit facility $ 83,000 $ 41,000 Less current maturities — — $ 83,000 $ 41,000 As of September 29, 2019, the Company had $83.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under its senior credit facility with approximately $32.5 million of borrowings available, net of outstanding letters of credit of approximately $4.5 million. As of September 29, 2019, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s outstanding debt was 3.7% and the weighted average interest rate on its outstanding letters of credit was 1.9%. In addition, the fee on the Company’s senior credit facility was 0.3%. On February 2, 2017, the Company entered into a credit agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, National Association as administrative agent, and certain other lenders (the Credit Agreement). The Credit Agreement provides for a revolving credit facility of $90.0 million with a $5.0 million subfacility for letters of credit and a $5.0 million subfacility for swingline loans. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and lender consent, the revolving credit facility may be increased up to a maximum of $150.0 million. The Credit Agreement has a maturity date of February 2, 2022. At the Company’s option, revolving loans may bear interest at (i) LIBOR, plus an applicable margin or (ii) the highest of (a) the rate publicly announced by Wells Fargo as its prime rate, (b) the average published federal funds rate in effect on such day plus 0.50% and (c) one month LIBOR plus 1.00%, plus an applicable margin. The applicable margin is based on the Company’s actual leverage ratio, ranging (a) from 1.50% to 2.25% above the applicable LIBOR rate or (b) at the Company’s option, from 0.50% to 1.25% above the applicable base rate. On September 18, 2019, the Company entered into the First Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “First Amendment”) which amends its existing Credit Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2017 (the “Existing Credit Agreement” and the Existing Credit Agreement as amended by the First Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”). The First Amendment, among other changes, increases the amount of the revolving credit facility to $120.0 million. Subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions and lender consent, the revolving credit facility under the Amended Credit Agreement may be increased up to a maximum of $150.0 million. The amounts of the letters of credit subfacility and swingline subfacility under the Amended Credit Agreement remain unchanged from the Existing Credit Agreement at $5.0 million each. The Amended Credit Agreement contains customary representations and affirmative and negative covenants (including limitations on indebtedness and liens) as well as financial covenants requiring a minimum fixed coverage charge ratio and limiting the Company’s consolidated leverage ratio. The Amended Credit Agreement also contains events of default customary for credit facilities of this type (with customary grace periods, as applicable), including nonpayment of principal or interest when due; material incorrectness of representations and warranties when made; breach of covenants; bankruptcy and insolvency; unsatisfied ERISA obligations; unstayed material judgment beyond specified periods; default under other material indebtedness; and certain changes of control of the Company. If any event of default occurs and is not cured within the applicable grace period, or waived, the outstanding loans may be accelerated by lenders holding a majority of the commitments under the Amended Credit Agreement and the lenders’ commitments may be terminated. The obligations under the Amended Credit Agreement are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries (the Guarantors), and are secured by a lien on substantially all of the Company’s personal property assets other than any equity interest in current and future subsidiaries of the Company.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(6) Shareholders’ Equity Subsequent to the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 the Company’s Board of Directors approved a new share repurchase program under which the Company is authorized to repurchase up to $60 million of outstanding common stock from time to time. The new share repurchase program replaces the previous share repurchase program announced in October 2017, which has been terminated. The Company spent $48.5 million to repurchase 2.1 million shares of its common stock, at an average price of $23.31 per share, under its previous share repurchase program. During the first thirty-nine weeks of fiscal year 2019, 940,515 shares were repurchased at an aggregate cost of $20.6 million, or an average cost of $21.90 per share. As of September 29, 2019, $11.5 million remained available for future purchases under the previous share repurchase program. 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 2019 February 22, 2019 $ 0.13 March 7, 2019 $ 3,967 March 21, 2019 May 3, 2019 $ 0.13 May 23, 2019 $ 3,931 June 6, 2019 August 2, 2019 $ 0.13 August 22, 2019 $ 3,854 September 5, 2019 Fiscal Year 2018 February 21, 2018 $ 0.11 March 8, 2018 $ 3,390 March 22, 2018 May 4, 2018 $ 0.11 May 24, 2018 $ 3,397 June 7, 2018 August 10, 2018 $ 0.11 August 23, 2018 $ 3,389 September 6, 2018 Subsequent to the end of the third quarter of fiscal year 2019, the Company’s Board of Directors declared a regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.13 per common and restricted share, or approximately $3.8 million in the aggregate based on the number of shares currently outstanding, payable on December 5, 2019 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on November 21, 2019. Outstanding unvested restricted stock is not included in common stock outstanding amounts. Restricted stock awards outstanding as of September 29, 2019 aggregated 874,903 shares. Restricted stock units outstanding as of September 29, 2019 aggregated 22,960 shares.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	(7) Fair Value Measurements The carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, receivables, prepaid expenses, accounts payable and accrued expenses and other current liabilities are reasonable estimates of their fair values due to their short duration. Borrowings classified as long-term debt as of September 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 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). As of September 29, 2019, and December 30, 2018, the Company had no assets or liabilities measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements of “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” FASB ASC Topic 820.

Segment Information

Segment Information	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	(8) Segment Information The Company has two reportable segments – the Company-owned steakhouse segment and the franchise operations segment. 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 September 29, 2019, (i) the Company-owned steakhouse restaurant segment included 81 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants and three Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants operating under contractual agreements and (ii) the franchise operations segment included 73 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 Company-owned steakhouse segment 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 (in thousands): 13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended September 29, September 30, September 29, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Revenues: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 98,475 $ 94,481 $ 317,738 $ 310,181 Franchise operations 3,928 4,030 12,907 12,905 Unallocated other revenue and revenue discounts 606 504 2,348 2,089 Total revenues $ 103,009 $ 99,015 $ 332,993 $ 325,175 Segment profits: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 18,442 $ 18,415 $ 72,076 $ 71,959 Franchise operations 3,928 4,030 12,907 12,905 Total segment profit 22,370 22,445 84,983 84,864 Unallocated operating income 606 504 2,348 2,089 Marketing and advertising expenses (3,174 ) (3,813 ) (10,925 ) (11,930 ) General and administrative costs (8,335 ) (8,809 ) (26,016 ) (27,056 ) Depreciation and amortization expenses (5,361 ) (4,628 ) (15,453 ) (13,762 ) Pre-opening costs (535 ) (845 ) (876 ) (1,258 ) Interest expense, net (638 ) (470 ) (1,460 ) (1,253 ) Other income 18 (65 ) 33 (31 ) Income from continuing operations before income tax expense $ 4,951 $ 4,319 $ 32,634 $ 31,663 Capital expenditures: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 8,495 $ 9,574 $ 18,186 $ 20,615 Corporate assets 413 650 1,678 1,498 Total capital expenditures $ 8,908 $ 10,224 $ 19,864 $ 22,113 September 29, December 30, 2019 2018 Total assets: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 451,819 $ 233,446 Franchise operations 1,497 2,911 Corporate assets - unallocated 12,587 12,903 Deferred income taxes - unallocated 4,806 5,353 Total assets $ 470,709 $ 254,613

Stock-based Employee Compensati

Stock-based Employee Compensation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Disclosure Of Compensation Related Costs Sharebased Payments [Abstract]
Stock-Based Employee Compensation	(9) Stock-Based Employee Compensation On May 15, 2018, the Company’s stockholders approved a new 2018 Omnibus Incentive Plan (2018 Plan) which replaced the Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan (2005 Plan), which expired on May 30, 2018. The 2018 Plan authorizes 2.5 million shares reserved for future grants. Awards that were previously awarded under the 2005 Plan that are forfeited or cancelled in the future will be made available for grant or issuance under the 2018 Plan. The 1,649,394 shares that were authorized but unissued under the 2005 Plan as of May 15, 2018 were cancelled. As of September 29, 2019, there were 1,500 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options, and 501,186 currently outstanding unvested restricted stock awards under the 2005 Plan. As of September 29, 2019, there were 373,717 currently outstanding unvested restricted stock awards and 22,960 restricted stock units under the 2018 Plan. As of September 29, 2019, the 2018 Plan has 2,350,670 shares available for future grants. During the first thirty-nine weeks of fiscal year 2019, the Company issued 267,208 restricted stock awards and units to directors, officers and other employees of the Company. Of the 267,208 restricted stock awards and units issued during the first thirty-nine weeks of fiscal year 2019, 47,504 shares will vest in fiscal year 2020, 143,859 shares will vest in fiscal year 2021, 57,191 shares will vest in fiscal year 2022 and 18,654 shares will vest in fiscal year 2024. Total stock compensation expense recognized during the first thirty-nine weeks of fiscal years 2019 and 2018 was $6.1 million and $5.7 million, respectively.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(10) Income Taxes 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: 39 Weeks Ended September 29, September 30, 2019 2018 Income tax expense at statutory rates 21.0 % 21.0 % Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from: State income taxes, net of federal benefit 4.0 % 3.6 % Federal employment tax credits (9.6 %) (9.6 %) Non-deductible executive compensation 2.1 % 2.3 % Other (2.5 %) (1.9 %) Effective tax rate 15.0 % 15.4 % 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. The Company files consolidated and separate income tax returns in the United States federal jurisdiction and many state jurisdictions, respectively. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. federal or state income tax examinations for years before 2014.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings Per Share	(11) Earnings Per Share The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts): 13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended September 29, September 30, September 29, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Income from continuing operations $ 4,528 $ 3,592 $ 27,748 $ 26,790 Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes — 9 — 30 Net income $ 4,528 $ 3,601 $ 27,748 $ 26,820 Shares: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 28,951,612 29,720,472 29,159,922 29,708,055 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 29,191,076 30,358,284 29,563,396 30,370,193 Basic earnings per common share: Continuing operations $ 0.16 $ 0.12 $ 0.95 $ 0.90 Discontinued operations — — — — Basic earnings per common share $ 0.16 $ 0.12 $ 0.95 $ 0.90 Diluted earnings per common share: Continuing operations $ 0.16 $ 0.12 $ 0.94 $ 0.88 Discontinued operations — — — — Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.16 $ 0.12 $ 0.94 $ 0.88 Diluted earnings per share for the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 excludes restricted shares of 44,565 which were outstanding during the period but were anti-dilutive and had no exercise price. There were no anti-dilutive shares for the third quarter of fiscal year 2018. Diluted earnings per share for the first thirty-nine weeks of fiscal year 2019 and 2018 excludes restricted shares of 28,011 and 727, respectively, which were outstanding during the period but were anti-dilutive and had no exercise price.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	(12) Commitments and Contingencies 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. On February 26, 2018, a former restaurant hourly employee filed a class action lawsuit in the Superior Court of the State of California for the County of Riverside, alleging that the Company violated the California Labor Code and California Business and Professions Code, by failing to pay minimum wages, pay overtime wages, permit required meal and rest breaks and provide accurate wage statements, among other claims. This lawsuit seeks unspecified penalties under the California’s Private Attorney’s General Act in addition to other monetary payments (Quiroz Guerrero v. Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc., et al.; Case No RIC1804127). Although the ultimate outcome of this matter, including any possible loss, cannot be predicted or reasonably estimated at this time, we intend to vigorously defend this matter. 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.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively, the Company) as of September 29, 2019 and December 30, 2018 and for the thirteen and thirty-nine week periods ended September 29, 2019 and September 30, 2018 have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The condensed consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation. Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. is a restaurant company focused on the upscale dining segment. Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. operates Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants and sells 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. As of September 29, 2019, there were 157 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, including 81 Company-owned restaurants, three restaurants operating under contractual agreements and 73 franchisee-owned restaurants, including 21 international franchisee-owned restaurants in Aruba, Canada, China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Mexico, Singapore and Taiwan. All Company-owned restaurants are located in the United States. Subsequent to the end of the quarter a Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant was opened in Columbus, OH. On July 29, 2019, the Company completed the acquisition of substantially all of the assets of three franchisee-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants located in Philadelphia, PA, King of Prussia, PA and Garden City, NY (the “MBR Franchise Acquisition”) for a cash purchase price of $18.6 million. The acquisition was funded with debt through the Company’s senior credit facility. The results of operations, financial position and cash flows of the MBR Franchise Acquisition are included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements as of the date of the acquisition. For additional information, see Note 2. The information furnished herein reflects all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals and adjustments), which are, in the opinion of management, necessary to fairly present the operating results for the respective periods. The interim results of operations for the periods ended September 29, 2019 and September 30, 2018 are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for the full year. Certain information and footnote disclosures normally presented in annual financial statements prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018. The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in December. The fiscal quarters ended September 29, 2019 and September 30, 2018 each contained thirteen weeks and are referred to herein as the third quarter of fiscal year 2019 and the third quarter of fiscal year 2018, respectively. Fiscal years 2019 and 2018 are both 52-week years.
Estimates	Estimates Management of the Company has made a number of estimates and assumptions relating to the reporting of assets and liabilities, the disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the condensed consolidated financial statements and the reporting of revenue and expenses during the periods to prepare these condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amounts of property and equipment, goodwill, franchise rights, lease right of use assets and obligations related to gift cards, income taxes, lease liabilities, incentive compensation, workers’ compensation and medical insurance. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Recent Adopted Accounting Standard	Recent Adopted Accounting Standard In February 2016, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) issued Accounting Standards Update (ASU) No. 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842), which requires a lessee to recognize on the balance sheet a liability to make lease payments and a corresponding right-of-use asset. The guidance also requires certain qualitative and quantitative disclosures about the amount, timing and uncertainty of cash flows arising from leases. The Company adopted this new lease standard on December 31, 2018. See Note 3 for further information about our transition to this new lease standard.

Acquisition of Franchise Rest_2

Acquisition of Franchise Restaurant (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Summary of Preliminary Allocation of Purchase Price	The preliminary allocation of purchase price is as follows (in thousands): Balances at September 29, 2019 Current assets $ 387 Property and equipment 2,398 Goodwill 9,027 Franchise Rights 7,100 Other intangibles 475 Total assets acquired $ 19,387 Current liabilities 725 Other liabilities 43 Total liabilities assumed $ 768 Net assets acquired $ 18,619

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Summarizes Impacts of Adopting Topic 842 on Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet	The Company did not experience material changes to either the consolidated statements of income or the consolidated statements of cash flows due to the adoption of Topic 842. The following table summarizes the impacts of adopting Topic 842 on the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2018 (in thousands): December 30, Adjustments Due 2018 to the Adoption December 31, As Reported of ASC 842 2018 Assets Current assets: Cash and cash equivalents $ 5,062 $ — $ 5,062 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 19,476 812 20,288 Inventory 9,296 — 9,296 Prepaid expenses and other 2,528 — 2,528 Total current assets 36,362 812 37,174 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 125,991 — 125,991 Operating lease right of use assets — 166,040 166,040 Goodwill 36,522 — 36,522 Franchise rights, net of accumulated amortization 44,919 — 44,919 Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 4,862 (758 ) 4,104 Deferred income taxes 5,353 413 5,766 Other assets 604 — 604 Total assets $ 254,613 $ 166,507 $ 421,120 Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity Current liabilities: Accounts payable $ 10,273 $ — $ 10,273 Accrued payroll 19,475 — 19,475 Accrued expenses 10,535 — 10,535 Deferred revenue 48,370 — 48,370 Current operating lease liabilities — 16,707 16,707 Other current liabilities 6,619 (1,698 ) 4,921 Total current liabilities 95,272 15,009 110,281 Long-term debt 41,000 — 41,000 Operating lease liabilities — 178,256 178,256 Deferred rent 23,692 (23,692 ) — Unearned franchise fees 2,680 — 2,680 Other liabilities 1,837 (1,805 ) 32 Total liabilities 164,481 167,768 332,249 Commitments and contingencies (Note 12) — — — Shareholders' equity: Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 29,268,776 shares issued and outstanding at December 30, 2018 293 — 293 Additional paid-in capital 61,819 — 61,819 Retained earnings 28,020 (1,261 ) 26,759 Treasury stock, at cost; 71,950 shares at December 30, 2018 — — — Total shareholders' equity 90,132 (1,261 ) 88,871 Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $ 254,613 $ 166,507 $ 421,120
Schedule of Components of Lease Expense	The components of lease expense are as follows (in thousands): 13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended Classification September 29, 2019 September 29, 2019 Operating lease cost Restaurant operating expenses and General and administrative costs $ 6,962 $ 20,055 Variable lease cost Restaurant operating expenses and General and administrative costs 2,417 7,770 Total lease cost $ 9,379 $ 27,825
Schedule of Maturities of Lease Liabilities	As of September 29, 2019, maturities of lease liabilities are summarized as follows (in thousands): Operating Leases 2019, excluding first thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2019 $ 6,958 2020 28,039 2021 26,892 2022 25,654 2023 22,660 Thereafter 208,059 Total future minimum rental commitments $ 318,262
Schedule of Future Minimum Annual Rental Commitments for Operating Leases Prior to Adoption of ASC 842	As previously disclosed in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2018, and under the previous lease accounting prior to the adoption of ASC 842, future minimum annual rental commitments for operating leases as of December 30, 2018 were as follows (in thousands): Operating Leases 2019 $ 25,767 2020 24,177 2021 22,520 2022 21,388 2023 18,858 Thereafter 154,661 Total future minimum rental commitments $ 267,371
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases	Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): 39 Weeks Ended September 29, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 19,688 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 41,522

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Summary of Disaggregated Revenue by Major Component for Each Category	In the following tables, the Company’s revenue is disaggregated by major component for each category on the consolidated statements of income (in thousands). 13 Weeks Ended September 29, 2019: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 97,226 $ — $ 97,226 Franchise income 3,267 661 3,928 Other operating income 1,855 — 1,855 Total revenue $ 102,348 $ 661 $ 103,009 13 Weeks Ended September 30, 2018: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 93,488 $ — $ 93,488 Franchise income 3,391 639 4,030 Other operating income 1,497 — 1,497 Total revenue $ 98,376 $ 639 $ 99,015 39 Weeks Ended September 29, 2019: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 314,229 $ — $ 314,229 Franchise income 10,803 2,104 12,907 Other operating income 5,857 — 5,857 Total revenue $ 330,889 $ 2,104 $ 332,993 39 Weeks Ended September 30, 2018: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 307,390 $ — $ 307,390 Franchise income 10,849 2,056 12,905 Other operating income 4,880 — 4,880 Total revenue $ 323,119 $ 2,056 $ 325,175
Summary of Receivables and Deferred Revenue Liabilities from Contract with Customers and Significant Changes in Deferred Revenue and Unearned Franchise Fees	The following table provides information about receivables and deferred revenue liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands). September 29, December 30, 2019 2018 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2019 - $170; 2018 - $322 $ 11,105 $ 18,336 Deferred revenue $ 40,999 $ 48,370 Unearned franchise fees $ 2,738 $ 2,680 Significant changes in the deferred revenue balance and the unearned franchise fees balance during the first t hirty-nine weeks of fiscal year 2019 are presented in the following table (in thousands). Deferred Unearned Revenue Franchise Fees Balance at December 30, 2018 $ 48,370 $ 2,680 Decreases in the beginning balance from gift card redemptions (25,455 ) — Increases due to proceeds received, excluding amounts recognized during the period 17,020 — Increases due to acquisition of franchise restaurants 725 — Decreases due to recognition of franchise development and opening fees — (192 ) Increases due to proceeds received for franchise development and opening fees — 250 Other 339 — Balance at September 29, 2019 $ 40,999 $ 2,738

Long-term Debt (Tables)

Long-term Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands): September 29, December 30, 2019 2018 Senior Credit Facility: Revolving credit facility $ 83,000 $ 41,000 Less current maturities — — $ 83,000 $ 41,000

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Dividends Declared and Payable	Declaration Date Dividend per Share Record Date Total Amount Payment Date Fiscal Year 2019 February 22, 2019 $ 0.13 March 7, 2019 $ 3,967 March 21, 2019 May 3, 2019 $ 0.13 May 23, 2019 $ 3,931 June 6, 2019 August 2, 2019 $ 0.13 August 22, 2019 $ 3,854 September 5, 2019 Fiscal Year 2018 February 21, 2018 $ 0.11 March 8, 2018 $ 3,390 March 22, 2018 May 4, 2018 $ 0.11 May 24, 2018 $ 3,397 June 7, 2018 August 10, 2018 $ 0.11 August 23, 2018 $ 3,389 September 6, 2018

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information, Operating Profit (Loss)	13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended September 29, September 30, September 29, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Revenues: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 98,475 $ 94,481 $ 317,738 $ 310,181 Franchise operations 3,928 4,030 12,907 12,905 Unallocated other revenue and revenue discounts 606 504 2,348 2,089 Total revenues $ 103,009 $ 99,015 $ 332,993 $ 325,175 Segment profits: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 18,442 $ 18,415 $ 72,076 $ 71,959 Franchise operations 3,928 4,030 12,907 12,905 Total segment profit 22,370 22,445 84,983 84,864 Unallocated operating income 606 504 2,348 2,089 Marketing and advertising expenses (3,174 ) (3,813 ) (10,925 ) (11,930 ) General and administrative costs (8,335 ) (8,809 ) (26,016 ) (27,056 ) Depreciation and amortization expenses (5,361 ) (4,628 ) (15,453 ) (13,762 ) Pre-opening costs (535 ) (845 ) (876 ) (1,258 ) Interest expense, net (638 ) (470 ) (1,460 ) (1,253 ) Other income 18 (65 ) 33 (31 ) Income from continuing operations before income tax expense $ 4,951 $ 4,319 $ 32,634 $ 31,663 Capital expenditures: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 8,495 $ 9,574 $ 18,186 $ 20,615 Corporate assets 413 650 1,678 1,498 Total capital expenditures $ 8,908 $ 10,224 $ 19,864 $ 22,113
Segment Information, Assets	September 29, December 30, 2019 2018 Total assets: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 451,819 $ 233,446 Franchise operations 1,497 2,911 Corporate assets - unallocated 12,587 12,903 Deferred income taxes - unallocated 4,806 5,353 Total assets $ 470,709 $ 254,613

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation	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: 39 Weeks Ended September 29, September 30, 2019 2018 Income tax expense at statutory rates 21.0 % 21.0 % Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from: State income taxes, net of federal benefit 4.0 % 3.6 % Federal employment tax credits (9.6 %) (9.6 %) Non-deductible executive compensation 2.1 % 2.3 % Other (2.5 %) (1.9 %) Effective tax rate 15.0 % 15.4 %

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share	The following table sets forth the computation of earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts): 13 Weeks Ended 39 Weeks Ended September 29, September 30, September 29, September 30, 2019 2018 2019 2018 Income from continuing operations $ 4,528 $ 3,592 $ 27,748 $ 26,790 Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes — 9 — 30 Net income $ 4,528 $ 3,601 $ 27,748 $ 26,820 Shares: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 28,951,612 29,720,472 29,159,922 29,708,055 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 29,191,076 30,358,284 29,563,396 30,370,193 Basic earnings per common share: Continuing operations $ 0.16 $ 0.12 $ 0.95 $ 0.90 Discontinued operations — — — — Basic earnings per common share $ 0.16 $ 0.12 $ 0.95 $ 0.90 Diluted earnings per common share: Continuing operations $ 0.16 $ 0.12 $ 0.94 $ 0.88 Discontinued operations — — — — Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.16 $ 0.12 $ 0.94 $ 0.88

The Company and Basis of Pres_2

The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Jul. 29, 2019USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2019Restaurant
MBR Franchise Acquisition Restaurants [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Acquisition of franchise restaurant, net of cash acquired | $	$ 18.6
Ruths Chris Steak House [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants		157
Ruths Chris Steak House [Member] | Company [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants		81
Ruths Chris Steak House [Member] | Contractual Agreement [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants		3
Ruths Chris Steak House [Member] | Franchised Units [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants		73
Ruths Chris Steak House [Member] | Franchised Units [Member] | International [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants		21

Acquisition of Franchise Rest_3

Acquisition of Franchise Restaurant (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jul. 29, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 29, 2019
Forecast [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business combination, Integration related costs			$ 412
MBR Franchise Acquisition Restaurants [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition of franchise restaurant, net of cash acquired	$ 18,600
Weighted average amortization period of reaquired franchise and territory rights		8 years 2 months 12 days
MBR Franchise Acquisition Restaurants [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life		2 years
MBR Franchise Acquisition Restaurants [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life		20 years

Acquisition of Franchise Rest_4

Acquisition of Franchise Restaurant - Summary of Preliminary Allocation of Purchase Price (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 45,549	$ 36,522
MBR Franchise Acquisition Restaurants [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Current assets	387
Property and equipment	2,398
Goodwill	9,027
Franchise Rights	7,100
Other intangibles	475
Total assets acquired	19,387
Current liabilities	725
Other liabilities	43
Total liabilities assumed	768
Net assets acquired	$ 18,619

Leases (Details Textual)

Leases (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018
Leases [Line Items]
Lease practical expedients, Package	true
Lease practical expedient, Use of hindsight	false
Operating lease options to extend description	The expected lease terms include options to extend when it is reasonably certain the Company will exercise the options up to a total term of 20 years.
Operating lease options to extend	20 years
Weighted average term for operating leases	13 years 3 months 18 days
Weighted average discount rate for operating leases	5.00%
Minimum [Member]
Leases [Line Items]
Operating lease options to extend	5 years
Remaining lease terms	1 year
Maximum [Member]
Leases [Line Items]
Remaining lease terms	20 years
ASC 842 [Member]
Leases [Line Items]
Derecognized deferred rent and tenant allowance		$ 25,400
Derecognized assets related to below market leases		758
Derecognized sale leaseback transaction deferred gain		1,800
Recognition of additional deferred income taxes related equity adjustments		413
ASC 842 [Member] | ROU Asset [Member]
Leases [Line Items]
Retained earnings adjustment		$ 3,500

Leases - Summarizes Impacts of

Leases - Summarizes Impacts of Adopting Topic 842 on Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 31, 2018	Dec. 30, 2018	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Dec. 31, 2017
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 3,308				$ 5,062	$ 4,877			$ 4,051
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts	16,584				19,476
Inventory	8,873				9,296
Prepaid expenses and other	2,568				2,528
Total current assets	31,333				36,362
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation	137,771				125,991
Operating lease right of use assets	195,629
Goodwill	45,549				36,522
Deferred income taxes	4,806				5,353
Other assets	595				604
Total assets	470,709				254,613
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	8,860				10,273
Accrued payroll	12,962				19,475
Accrued expenses	7,670				10,535
Deferred revenue	40,999				48,370
Current operating lease liabilities	14,218
Other current liabilities	2,680				6,619
Total current liabilities	87,389				95,272
Long-term debt	83,000				41,000
Operating lease liabilities	210,821
Deferred rent					23,692
Unearned franchise fees	2,738				2,680
Other liabilities	50				1,837
Total liabilities	383,998				164,481
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock	286				293
Additional paid-in capital	43,669				61,819
Retained earnings	42,756				28,020
Treasury stock
Total shareholders' equity	86,711	$ 98,111	$ 98,649		90,132	$ 89,286	$ 87,789	$ 87,589	$ 79,504
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	470,709				254,613
Franchise Rights [Member]
Current assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	50,545				44,919
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Current assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$ 4,481				$ 4,862
ASC 842 [Member]
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents				$ 5,062
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts				20,288
Inventory				9,296
Prepaid expenses and other				2,528
Total current assets				37,174
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation				125,991
Operating lease right of use assets				166,040
Goodwill				36,522
Deferred income taxes				5,766
Other assets				604
Total assets				421,120
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable				10,273
Accrued payroll				19,475
Accrued expenses				10,535
Deferred revenue				48,370
Current operating lease liabilities				16,707
Other current liabilities				4,921
Total current liabilities				110,281
Long-term debt				41,000
Operating lease liabilities				178,256
Unearned franchise fees				2,680
Other liabilities				32
Total liabilities				332,249
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock				293
Additional paid-in capital				61,819
Retained earnings				26,759
Treasury stock
Total shareholders' equity				88,871
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity				421,120
ASC 842 [Member] | Adjustments [Member]
Current assets:
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts				812
Total current assets				812
Operating lease right of use assets				166,040
Deferred income taxes				413
Total assets				166,507
Current liabilities:
Current operating lease liabilities				16,707
Other current liabilities				(1,698)
Total current liabilities				15,009
Operating lease liabilities				178,256
Deferred rent				(23,692)
Other liabilities				(1,805)
Total liabilities				167,768
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders' equity:
Retained earnings				(1,261)
Treasury stock
Total shareholders' equity				(1,261)
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity				166,507
ASC 842 [Member] | Franchise Rights [Member]
Current assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization				44,919
ASC 842 [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Current assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization				4,104
ASC 842 [Member] | Other Intangible Assets [Member] | Adjustments [Member]
Current assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization				$ (758)

Leases - Summarizes Impacts o_2

Leases - Summarizes Impacts of Adopting Topic 842 on Company's Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheet (Parentheticals) (Details) - $ / shares	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Leases [Abstract]
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	28,624,637	29,268,776
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	28,624,637	29,268,776
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	71,950	71,950

Leases - Schedule of Components

Leases - Schedule of Components of Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 6,962	$ 20,055
Variable lease cost	2,417	7,770
Total lease cost	$ 9,379	$ 27,825

Leases - Schedule of Maturities

Leases - Schedule of Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2019USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2019, excluding first thirty-nine weeks ended September 29, 2019	$ 6,958
2020	28,039
2021	26,892
2022	25,654
2023	22,660
Thereafter	208,059
Total future minimum rental commitments	$ 318,262

Leases - Schedule of Future Min

Leases - Schedule of Future Minimum Annual Rental Commitments for Operating Leases Prior to Adoption of ASC 842 (Details) $ in Thousands	Dec. 30, 2018USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2019	$ 25,767
2020	24,177
2021	22,520
2022	21,388
2023	18,858
Thereafter	154,661
Total future minimum rental commitments	$ 267,371

Leases - Schedule of Supplement

Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019USD ($)
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 19,688
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$ 41,522

Revenue - Summary of Disaggrega

Revenue - Summary of Disaggregated Revenue by Major Component for Each Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 103,009	$ 99,015	$ 332,993	$ 325,175
Restaurant Sales [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	97,226	93,488	314,229	307,390
Franchise Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	3,928	4,030	12,907	12,905
Other Operating Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,855	1,497	5,857	4,880
Domestic [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	102,348	98,376	330,889	323,119
Domestic [Member] | Restaurant Sales [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	97,226	93,488	314,229	307,390
Domestic [Member] | Franchise Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	3,267	3,391	10,803	10,849
Domestic [Member] | Other Operating Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,855	1,497	5,857	4,880
International [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	661	639	2,104	2,056
International [Member] | Franchise Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 661	$ 639	$ 2,104	$ 2,056

Revenue - Summary of Receivable

Revenue - Summary of Receivables and Deferred Revenue Liabilities from Contract with Customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2019 - $170; 2018 - $322	$ 11,105	$ 18,336
Deferred revenue	40,999	48,370
Unearned franchise fees	$ 2,738	$ 2,680

Revenue - Summary of Receivab_2

Revenue - Summary of Receivables and Deferred Revenue Liabilities from Contract with Customers (Details) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 170	$ 322

Revenue - Summary of Significan

Revenue - Summary of Significant Changes in Deferred Revenue and Unearned Franchise Fees (Details) $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019USD ($)
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue, Beginning balance	$ 48,370
Deferred Revenue, Decreases in the beginning balance from gift card redemptions	(25,455)
Deferred Revenue, Increases due to proceeds received, excluding amounts recognized during the period	17,020
Deferred Revenue, Increases due to acquisition of franchise restaurants	725
Deferred Revenue, Other	339
Deferred Revenue, Ending balance	40,999
Unearned Franchise Fees, Beginning balance	2,680
Unearned Franchise Fees, Decreases due to recognition of franchise development and opening fees	(192)
Unearned Franchise fees, Increases due to proceeds received for franchise development and opening fees	250
Unearned Franchise Fees, Ending balance	$ 2,738

Long-term Debt - Summary of Lon

Long-term Debt - Summary of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility	$ 83,000	$ 41,000
Less current maturities	0	0
Long-term debt	$ 83,000	$ 41,000

Long-term Debt (Details Textual

Long-term Debt (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Feb. 02, 2017	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 18, 2019
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time		3.70%
Amended Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member]
Debt Instrument, Maturity Date	Feb. 2, 2022
Senior Credit Facility [Member]
Long-term Line of Credit		$ 83,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity		$ 32,500,000
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage		0.30%
Letter of Credit [Member]
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount		$ 4,500,000
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time		1.90%
Letter of Credit [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 5,000,000
Letter of Credit [Member] | First Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 5,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	90,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity upon Satisfaction of Certain Conditions	$ 150,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | First Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			120,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity upon Satisfaction of Certain Conditions			150,000,000
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Federal Funds Rate [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.00%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	2.25%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base [Member] | Minimum [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	0.50%
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Base [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	1.25%
Swingline Loans [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity	$ 5,000,000
Swingline Loans [Member] | First Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 5,000,000

Shareholders' Equity (Details T

Shareholders' Equity (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Nov. 01, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Oct. 01, 2019
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared per common share		$ 0.13	$ 0.11	$ 0.39	$ 0.33
Restricted Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number		874,903		874,903
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number		22,960		22,960
Dividend Declared 2 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Payment Date				Jun. 6, 2019	Jun. 7, 2018
Dividend record date				May 23, 2019	May 24, 2018
Subsequent Event [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount						$ 60,000,000
Subsequent Event [Member] | Dividend Declared 2 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.13
Dividends Payable, Current	$ 3,800,000
Payment Date	Dec. 5, 2019
Dividend record date	Nov. 21, 2019
The 2017 Share Repurchase Plan [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Share repurchased				940,515
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value				$ 20,600,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Average Cost per Share				$ 21.90
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount		$ 11,500,000		$ 11,500,000
The 2017 Share Repurchase Plan [Member] | Common Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Share repurchased				2,100,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value				$ 48,500,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Average Cost per Share				$ 23.31

Shareholders' Equity - Dividend

Shareholders' Equity - Dividends Declared (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Dividend Declared 1 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	Feb. 22, 2019	Feb. 21, 2018
Dividend Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.11
Record Date	Mar. 7, 2019	Mar. 8, 2018
Total Amount	$ 3,967	$ 3,390
Payment Date	Mar. 21, 2019	Mar. 22, 2018
Dividend Declared 2 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	May 3, 2019	May 4, 2018
Dividend Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.11
Record Date	May 23, 2019	May 24, 2018
Total Amount	$ 3,931	$ 3,397
Payment Date	Jun. 6, 2019	Jun. 7, 2018
Dividend Declared 3 [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	Aug. 2, 2019	Aug. 10, 2018
Dividend Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.13	$ 0.11
Record Date	Aug. 22, 2019	Aug. 23, 2018
Total Amount	$ 3,854	$ 3,389
Payment Date	Sep. 5, 2019	Sep. 6, 2018

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) - USD ($)	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Non-financial assets	$ 0	$ 0
Non-financial liabilities	$ 0	$ 0

Segment Information (Details Te

Segment Information (Details Textual)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019RestaurantSegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments | Segment	2
Ruths Chris Steak House [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	157
Company [Member] | Ruths Chris Steak House [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	81
Operated under Contractual Agreements [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	3
Franchised Units [Member] | Ruths Chris Steak House [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	73

Segment Information - Segment I

Segment Information - Segment Information, Operating Profit (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 103,009	$ 99,015	$ 332,993	$ 325,175
Segment profits:
Gross profit	22,370	22,445	84,983	84,864
Unallocated operating income	606	504	2,348	2,089
Marketing and advertising expenses	(3,174)	(3,813)	(10,925)	(11,930)
General and administrative costs	(8,335)	(8,809)	(26,016)	(27,056)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	(5,361)	(4,628)	(15,453)	(13,762)
Pre-opening costs	(535)	(845)	(876)	(1,258)
Interest expense, net	(638)	(470)	(1,460)	(1,253)
Other	18	(65)	33	(31)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	4,951	4,319	32,634	31,663
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditure	8,908	10,224	19,864	22,113
Operating Segments [Member] | Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	98,475	94,481	317,738	310,181
Segment profits:
Gross profit	18,442	18,415	72,076	71,959
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditure	8,495	9,574	18,186	20,615
Operating Segments [Member] | Franchise Operations [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	3,928	4,030	12,907	12,905
Segment profits:
Gross profit	3,928	4,030	12,907	12,905
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	606	504	2,348	2,089
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditure	$ 413	$ 650	$ 1,678	$ 1,498

Segment Information - Segment_2

Segment Information - Segment Information, Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Sep. 29, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 470,709	$ 254,613
Operating Segments [Member] | Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	451,819	233,446
Operating Segments [Member] | Franchise Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,497	2,911
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	12,587	12,903
Deferred income taxes - unallocated	$ 4,806	$ 5,353

Stock-based Employee Compensa_2

Stock-based Employee Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 15, 2018	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		$ 6.1	$ 5.7
Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number		874,903
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number		22,960
Omnibus Incentive Plan 2018 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Authorized Number of Shares Reserved for Future grants	2,500,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant		2,350,670
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross		267,208
Omnibus Incentive Plan 2018 [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche One [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross		47,504
Omnibus Incentive Plan 2018 [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Two [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross		143,859
Omnibus Incentive Plan 2018 [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Three [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross		57,191
Omnibus Incentive Plan 2018 [Member] | Share-based Compensation Award, Tranche Four [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross		18,654
Omnibus Incentive Plan 2018 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number		373,717
Omnibus Incentive Plan 2018 [Member] | Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number		22,960
Long-term Equity Incentive Plan 2005 [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Plan expiration date	May 30, 2018
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares, Cancelled	1,649,394
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Issuable upon Exercise of Currently Outstanding Option		1,500
Long-term Equity Incentive Plan 2005 [Member] | Restricted Stock [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number		501,186

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the U.S. Statutory Rate to the Effective Rate (Details)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations Tax Rate Reconciliation [Abstract]
Income tax expense at statutory rates	21.00%	21.00%
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	4.00%	3.60%
Federal employment tax credits	(9.60%)	(9.60%)
Non-deductible executive compensation	2.10%	2.30%
Other	(2.50%)	(1.90%)
Effective tax rate	15.00%	15.40%

Earnings Per Share - Computatio

Earnings Per Share - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended						9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Jun. 30, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Jul. 01, 2018	Apr. 01, 2018	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 4,528			$ 3,592			$ 27,748	$ 26,790
Income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes				9				30
Net income	$ 4,528	$ 9,309	$ 13,911	$ 3,601	$ 9,573	$ 13,646	$ 27,748	$ 26,820
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	28,951,612			29,720,472			29,159,922	29,708,055
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	29,191,076			30,358,284			29,563,396	30,370,193
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in dollars per share)	$ 0.16			$ 0.12			$ 0.95	$ 0.90
Basic earnings per share	0.16			0.12			0.95	0.90
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	0.16			0.12			0.94	0.88
Diluted earnings per share	$ 0.16			$ 0.12			$ 0.94	$ 0.88

Earnings Per Share (Details Tex

Earnings Per Share (Details Textual) - shares	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018	Sep. 29, 2019	Sep. 30, 2018
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	44,565	0	28,011	727

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)	Sep. 29, 2019Supplier
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of Suppliers	2