Ruths Hospitality (RUTH) 10-Q 8 May 20 2020 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document And Entity Information

Document And Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Apr. 30, 2020
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	Mar. 29, 2020
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2020
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
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)		28,585,268
Unvested Restricted Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares)		954,650

Condensed Consolidated Balance

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 70,792	$ 5,567
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2020 - $270; 2019 - $241	8,642	23,769
Inventory	8,450	9,623
Prepaid expenses and other	2,913	3,052
Total current assets	90,797	42,011
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 2020 - $170,188; 2019 - $173,845	140,967	142,962
Operating lease right of use assets	200,489	206,358
Goodwill	45,549	45,549
Deferred income taxes	6,901	4,929
Other assets	778	702
Total assets	535,860	496,876
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	7,616	13,598
Accrued payroll	10,550	17,303
Accrued expenses	5,417	10,574
Deferred revenue	47,403	52,856
Current operating lease liabilities	17,516	14,313
Other current liabilities	2,837	4,237
Total current liabilities	91,339	112,881
Long-term debt	145,000	64,000
Operating lease liabilities	222,941	223,292
Unearned franchise fees	2,430	2,489
Other liabilities	69	69
Total liabilities	461,779	402,731
Commitments and contingencies (Note 12)
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 27,617,472 shares issued and outstanding at March 29, 2020, 28,418,691 shares issued and outstanding at December 29, 2019	276	284
Additional paid-in capital	28,652	40,462
Retained earnings	45,153	53,399
Treasury stock, at cost; 71,950 shares at March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019
Total shareholders' equity	74,081	94,145
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	535,860	496,876
Franchise Rights [Member]
Current assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	46,168	49,916
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Current assets:
Intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization	$ 4,211	$ 4,449

Condensed Consolidated Balanc_2

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets (Current Period Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 270	$ 241
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation	$ 170,188	$ 173,845
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)	27,617,472	28,418,691
Common stock, shares outstanding (in shares)	27,617,472	28,418,691
Treasury stock, shares (in shares)	71,950	71,950
Franchise Rights [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 4,850	$ 4,401
Other Intangible Assets [Member]
Finite-lived intangible assets, accumulated amortization	$ 1,472	$ 1,439

Condensed Consolidated Statemen

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 108,536	$ 119,741
Costs and expenses:
Marketing and advertising	3,438	3,629
General and administrative costs	8,031	8,751
Depreciation and amortization expenses	5,822	4,969
Pre-opening costs	477	98
Loss on impairment	8,697
Total costs and expenses	112,645	102,898
Operating income (loss)	(4,109)	16,843
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(628)	(405)
Other	33	2
Income (loss) before income taxes	(4,704)	16,440
Income tax expense (benefit)	(886)	2,529
Net income (loss)	$ (3,818)	$ 13,911
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$ (0.13)	$ 0.48
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$ (0.13)	$ 0.47
Shares used in computing earnings (loss) per common share:
Basic (in shares)	28,287,261	29,275,501
Diluted (in shares)	28,287,261	29,903,511
Cash dividends declared per common share	$ 0.15	$ 0.13
Restaurant Sales [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 103,040	$ 112,986
Franchise Income [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	3,626	4,558
Other Operating Income [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	1,870	2,197
Food and Beverage [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	30,626	31,848
Restaurant Operating Expenses [Member]
Costs and expenses:
Cost of goods sold	$ 55,554	$ 53,603

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 [Member]	Treasury Stock [Member]
Balance at Dec. 30, 2018	$ 90,132	$ 293	$ 61,819	$ 28,020
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 30, 2018		29,269			72
Net Income (loss)	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. 29, 2019	94,145	$ 284	40,462	53,399
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 29, 2019		28,419			72
Net Income (loss)	(3,818)			(3,818)
Cash dividends	(4,428)			(4,428)
Repurchase of common stock	(13,226)	$ (9)	(13,217)
Repurchase of common stock (in shares)		(902)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects	(658)	$ 1	(659)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects (in shares)		100
Stock-based compensation	2,065		2,065
Balance at Mar. 29, 2020	$ 74,081	$ 276	$ 28,652	$ 45,153
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 29, 2020		27,617			72

Condensed Consolidated Statem_3

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders' Equity (Unaudited) (Parentheticals) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Statement Of Stockholders Equity [Abstract]
Common Stock, Dividends, Per Share, Cash Paid	$ 0.15	$ 0.13

Condensed Consolidated Statem_4

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss)	$ (3,818)	$ 13,911
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	5,822	4,969
Deferred income taxes	(1,973)	95
Non-cash interest expense	24	21
Loss on impairment	8,697
Stock-based compensation expense	2,065	2,033
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable	17,076	8,077
Inventories	1,174	820
Prepaid expenses and other	139	(540)
Other assets		(42)
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(21,333)	(13,511)
Deferred revenue	(5,453)	(5,864)
Operating lease liabilities and assets	3,119	(171)
Other liabilities	1,026	2,281
Net cash provided by operating activities	6,565	12,079
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(3,928)	(5,860)
Net cash used in investing activities	(3,928)	(5,860)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal borrowings on long-term debt	85,000	7,000
Principal repayments on long-term debt	(4,000)	(9,000)
Repurchase of common stock	(13,226)	(568)
Cash dividend payments	(4,428)	(3,967)
Tax payments from the vesting of restricted stock and option exercises	(658)	(1,630)
Deferred financing costs	(100)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities	62,588	(8,165)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	65,225	(1,946)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	5,567	5,062
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	70,792	3,116
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	554	427
Income taxes	75	31
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Accrued acquisition of property and equipment	$ 4,190	$ 667

The Company and Basis of Presen

The Company and Basis of Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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 March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019 and for the thirteen week periods ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 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 March 29, 2020, there were 159 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, including 83 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. During January 2020 a Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant was relocated in Washington, D.C. 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 7. 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 March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 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 29, 2019. The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in December. The fiscal quarters ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 each contained thirteen weeks and are referred to herein as the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, respectively. Fiscal years 2020 and 2019 are both 52-week years. COVID-19 Impact In March 2020 the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus ( mandatory restaurant closures, capacity limitations, social distancing guidelines or other restrictions . As a result of these developments, the Company is experiencing a significant negative impact on its revenues, results of operations and cash flows which could impact its ability to meet its obligations over the next twelve months. In response to the business disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Company has taken the following actions, which management expects will enable it to meet its obligations over the next twelve months. Operating Initiatives. Due to the government mandates regarding limiting or prohibiting in-restaurant dining due to COVID-19, the Company is leveraging its Ruth’s Anywhere program in markets where take-out and delivery sales are sufficient to cover the costs of management staffing those locations. As of the date of this report the dining rooms in all of the Company-owned restaurants are closed. The Company is operating take-out and delivery in 56 Company-owned restaurants where it is permitted by local regulations and economically viable and 30 Company-owned and -managed restaurants are closed. As of the date of this report, our labor and supply chain have not been disrupted. Many of the franchisee-owned locations are experiencing similar disruptions to their business, and as a result, the Company has waived franchise royalty requirements until their dining rooms have re-opened. The Company currently expects the majority of its dining rooms to remain closed through most of the second fiscal quarter of 2020. Capital and Expense Reductions . The Company has suspended all new restaurant construction and non-essential capital expenditures. The Company has also made significant reductions in ongoing operating expenses, including curtailing operations in restaurants where take-out and delivery is not viable and furloughing a significant number of team members in the field and in the Company’s Home Office. In addition, the Company has also implemented pay reductions for all remaining Home Office and field employees. We have taken measures to reduce payments to our landlords and vendors in April 2020 and have begun discussions with our landlords and vendors to reduce or defer our payments. We are unable to predict the outcome of these discussions and the extent to which we will be able to negotiate to reduce or defer payments . With payments being delayed, landlords or vendors may terminate our leases and contracts or could take other actions that restrict our ability to access or reopen our stores in a timely manner. Dividends and Share Buybacks . The Company suspended the quarterly cash dividend and there are no plans for share buybacks in the foreseeable future. Balance Sheet. In March 2020, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to our Credit Agreement (‘Second Amendment”), which increased the Company’s borrowing capacity to $150.0 million and relaxed the leverage covenant restrictions to 4.0 times Bank Adjusted EBITDA through the first quarter of 2021. We borrowed the remaining available amount under the Revolving Credit Facility as a precautionary measure in order to increase the Company’s cash position and preserve financial flexibility. On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to our Credit Agreement (“Third Amendment”), which waived financial covenants until the first quarter of 2021, further relaxed the leverage covenant restrictions during the first and second quarters of 2021 and added a monthly liquidity covenant. This is an unprecedented event in the Company’s history and it is uncertain how the conditions surrounding will change including the timing of lifting any restrictions or closure requirements, when the Company’s dining rooms will re-open, and what level of customer demand the Company will experience once the dining rooms are permitted to re-open. if the Company fails to comply with its financial covenants and is unable to remedy or obtain a waiver or amendment, an event of default would result. the Company the Company 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 Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. This update requires immediate recognition of management’s estimates of current expected credit losses. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial reporting. In January 2017 the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Impairment Test for Goodwill. This update eliminated the calculation of implied goodwill fair value. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial reporting. In August 2018 the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This update primarily amended the disclosures required surrounding Level 3 fair value measurements. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial reporting. In August 2018 the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This update aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial reporting. In August 2018 the FASB issued ASU 2018-1 9 , Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses . This update clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 20 19 . The adoption of ASU 201 8 -1 9 did not have a significant impact o n the Company’s financial reporting. In December 2019 the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740). This update modifies Topic 740 to simplify the accounting for income taxes. This update is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s ongoing financial reporting.

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	(2) 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 March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019 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). During the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, primarily due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred requiring an impairment evaluation of its long-lived assets, territory rights, indefinite lived intangible assets and goodwill. After performing a Step 1 analysis the Company determined there was no impairment of goodwill and franchise rights with indefinite lives in the first quarter of fiscal year 2020. The Company recorded a $5.6 million impairment loss related to long-lived assets at seven restaurants and a $3.1 million impairment loss related to territory rights. The impairment was measured based on the amount by which the carrying amount of the assets exceeded fair value. Fair value was estimated based on both the market and income approaches utilizing market participant assumptions reflecting all available information as of the balance sheet date. The impairment losses are included in the loss on impairment caption in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of operations. The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 29, 2020 were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value as of March 29, 2020 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 3) Total Losses on Impairment Long-lived assets $ 4,689 $ 4,689 $ 5,596 Fair Value as of March 29, 2020 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 3) Total Losses on Impairment Territory rights $ — $ — $ 3,101 As of December 29, 2019, the Company had no

Leases

Leases	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Leases	(3) Leases 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 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 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 March 29, 2020, 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 payment 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 4.9%, respectively. The components of lease expense are as follows (in thousands): 13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended Classification March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Operating lease cost Restaurant operating expenses and General and administrative costs $ 7,152 $ 6,380 Variable lease cost Restaurant operating expenses and General and administrative costs 2,726 2,757 Total lease cost $ 9,878 $ 9,137 As of March 29, 2020, maturities of lease liabilities are summarized as follows (in thousands): Operating Leases 2020, excluding first thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 $ 21,621 2021 28,290 2022 27,212 2023 24,290 2024 24,094 Thereafter 208,279 Total future minimum rental commitments 333,786 Imputed interest (93,329 ) $ 240,457 Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): 13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 6,507 $ 6,524 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 3,820 $ 4,055 Additionally, at March 29, 2020 we have executed seven leases for new Ruth’s Chris Steak House Restaurant locations with undiscounted fixed payments over the initial term of $35.7 million. These leases are expected to have an economic lease term of 20 years. These leases will commence when the landlords make the property available to us for the new restaurant construction. We will assess the reasonably certain lease term at the lease commencement date.

Revenue

Revenue	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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 March 29, 2020: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 103,040 $ — $ 103,040 Franchise income 3,059 567 3,626 Other operating income 1,870 — 1,870 Total revenue $ 107,969 $ 567 $ 108,536 13 Weeks Ended March 31, 2019: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 112,986 $ — $ 112,986 Franchise income 3,819 739 4,558 Other operating income 2,197 — 2,197 Total revenue $ 119,002 $ 739 $ 119,741 The following table provides information about receivables and deferred revenue liabilities from contracts with customers (in thousands). March 29, December 29, 2020 2019 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2020 - $270; 2019 - $241 $ 3,780 $ 19,615 Deferred revenue $ 47,403 $ 52,856 Unearned franchise fees $ 2,430 $ 2,489 Deferred Unearned Revenue Franchise Fees Balance at December 29, 2019 $ 52,856 $ 2,489 Decreases in the beginning balance from gift card redemptions (11,522 ) — Increases due to proceeds received, excluding amounts recognized during the period 6,115 — Decreases due to recognition of franchise development and opening fees — (59 ) Increases due to proceeds received for franchise development and opening fees — — Other (46 ) — Balance at March 29, 2020 $ 47,403 $ 2,430

Long-term Debt

Long-term Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Long-term Debt	(5) Long-term Debt Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands): March 29, December 29, 2020 2019 Senior Credit Facility: Revolving credit facility $ 145,000 $ 64,000 Less current maturities — — $ 145,000 $ 64,000 As of March 29, 2020, the Company had $145.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under its senior credit facility with approximately $201 thousand of borrowings available, net of outstanding letters of credit of approximately $4.8 million. As of March 29, 2020, the weighted average interest rate on the Company’s outstanding debt was 3.1% 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. 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 (“Consolidated 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 amended its Credit Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2017. The First Amendment, among other changes, increased the amount of the revolving credit facility to $120.0 million. The amounts of the letters of credit subfacility and swingline subfacility remain unchanged at $5.0 million each. On March 27, 2020, the Company, entered into the “Second Amendment” which amended its Credit Agreement, as amended by the First Amendment, with certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other agents party thereto. The Second Amendment, among other changes, increased the amount of the revolving credit facility to $150.0 million and The Second Amendment prohibits the Company from paying any dividends or repurchasing any shares of its common stock if the Company cannot demonstrate that its Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 2.50 to 1.00 (both before and after giving effect to the proposed repurchase or dividend), as determined commencing with the second fiscal quarter of 2020. The Second Amendment also prohibits the Company from making any capital expenditures other than maintenance capital expenditures if the Company cannot demonstrate that its Consolidated Leverage Ratio is less than 2.50 to 1.00 (both before and after giving effect to the proposed capital expenditure), as determined commencing with the second fiscal quarter 2020. The Credit Agreement, as amended by the Second Amendment 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 (“Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio”) and limiting the Company’s Consolidated Leverage Ratio. The Credit Agreement, as amended by the Second Amendment 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 Second Amendment and the lenders’ commitments may be terminated. The obligations under the Second Amendment are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s subsidiaries 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. Subsequent to the end of the first quarter of fiscal year 2020, on May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to Credit Agreement (the “Third Amendment”) which amends its existing Credit Agreement, dated as of February 2, 2017 as amended by the First Amendment thereto, dated as of September 18, 2019 and the Second Amendment thereto dated as of March 27, 2020 (the “Existing Credit Agreement” and the Existing Credit Agreement as amended by the Third Amendment, the “Amended Credit Agreement”) with certain direct and indirect subsidiaries of the Company as guarantors, Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as administrative agent, and the lenders and other agents party thereto. Like the Existing Credit Agreement, the Amended Credit Agreement provides for a $150.0 million revolving credit facility with a $5.0 million subfacility of letters of credit and a $5.0 million subfacility for swingline loans. The Third Amendment provides relief from the financial covenants to maintain a specified quarterly minimum adjusted Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio and maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio. Under the Existing Credit Agreement, the Company had to maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of at least 1.25 to 1.00. The Third Amendment waives the requirement to maintain any Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio for the remainder of fiscal year 2020 but, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 28, 2021, requires that the Company maintain a Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio of not less than 1.25 to 1.00 on an annualized basis, which will exclude the impact of fiscal year 2020. The Existing Credit Agreement required the Company to maintain a Consolidated Leverage Ratio of not more than 2.75 to 1.00. The Third Amendment waives any Consolidated Leverage Ratio requirement for the remainder of fiscal year 2020 but, commencing with the fiscal quarter ending March 28, 2021, requires a Consolidated Leverage Ratio based on annualized calculations, which will exclude the impact of fiscal year 2020, not to exceed the following thresholds for the periods indicated: Period Maximum Ratio The last day of the first Fiscal Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year 5.00 to 1.00 The last day of the second Fiscal Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year 4.50 to 1.00 The last day of the third Fiscal Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year 4.00 to 1.00 The last day of the fourth Fiscal Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year and thereafter 3.00 to 1.00 The Third Amendment requires that the Company meet minimum cash holding requirements (“Minimum Scheduled Cash”)through December 2020 in an amount equal to (a) 50% of the net cash proceeds of any equity issuances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries effected between May 1, 2020 and December 31, 2020 (excluding certain amounts required to be used to make prepayments on loans outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement) plus (b) the following amount for each month set forth below 1 May 2020 $34,000,000 June 2020 $29,000,000 July 2020 $21,000,000 August 2020 $19,000,000 September 2020 $15,000,000 October 2020 1 $13,000,000 November 2020 1 $13,000,000 December 2020 $14,000,000 1 Interest rates on loans under the Amended Credit Agreement are 2.75% and 1.75% above the LIBOR Rate and Base Rate, respectively, and the fee for the daily unused availability under the revolving credit facility is 0.40% until the Calculation Date for the fiscal quarter ending March 28, 2021. Thereafter, interest rate margins and the fee for the unused commitment will be calculated based on the Consolidated Leverage Ratio in accordance with the Existing Credit Agreement. The term “Calculation Date” means the date five (5) business days after the day on which the Company provides a compliance certificate required under the Amended Credit Agreement for its most recently ended fiscal quarter. The Third Amendment also provides that if by September 27, 2020, the Company has not received at least $20 million in gross proceeds from equity issuances, then from the fiscal quarter ending on September 27, 2020 until the Calculation Date with respect to the fiscal quarter ending on March 28, 2021, interest rates will be 3.25% and 2.25% above the LIBOR Rate and Base Rate, respectively, and the fee for the daily unused availability under the revolving credit facility will be 0.40% until the Calculation Date for the fiscal quarter ending March 28, 2021 at which point interest rates and the unused commitment fee will be calculated based on the Leverage Ratio in accordance with the Existing Credit Agreement. Until the Company can demonstrate compliance with both the minimum Fixed Coverage Charge Ratio and the maximum Consolidated Leverage Ratio following the end of the fiscal quarter ending March 28, 2021, the Third Amendment requires that the Company use 50% of the net cash proceeds of any equity issuances over $30.0 million (other than the exercise price on stock options issued as part of employee compensation) to make mandatory principal prepayments of loans outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement (with a permanent reduction to the revolving credit commitment under the Amended Credit Agreement in an amount corresponding to the amount of such prepayment), and/or cash collateralize the letter of credit obligations outstanding under the Amended Credit Agreement. The Third Amendment limits acquisitions by the Company until it can demonstrate compliance with the minimum Fixed Coverage Charge Ratio following the end of the fiscal quarter ending March 28, 2021.

Shareholders' Equity

Shareholders' Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity	(6) Shareholders’ Equity In October 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. During the first thirteen weeks of fiscal year 2020, 902,000 shares were repurchased at an aggregate cost of $13.2 million, or an average cost of $14.66 per share. As of March 29, 2020, $41.6 million remained available for future purchases under the 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 2020 February 21, 2020 $ 0.15 March 6, 2020 $ 4,428 March 20, 2020 Fiscal Year 2019 February 22, 2019 $ 0.13 March 7, 2019 $ 3,967 March 21, 2019 As a result of the impacts to our business arising from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Company has suspended its share repurchase program and dividend payments. The recent amendments to the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility currently prohibit the payment of dividends and share repurchases until our leverage ratio is less than 2.5 times Bank Adjusted EBITDA. Outstanding unvested restricted stock is not included in common stock outstanding amounts. Restricted stock awards outstanding as of March 29, 2020 aggregated 921,329 shares. Restricted stock units outstanding as of March 29, 2020 aggregated 54,550 shares.

Franchisee Acquisition

Franchisee Acquisition	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
MBR Franchise Acquisition Restaurants [Member]
Franchisee Acquisition	(7) Franchisee Acquisition 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 assets and liabilities of the MBR Franchise Acquisition restaurants were recorded at their respective fair values as of the date of the acquisition. 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 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 rights will be amortized over a weighted average term of 6.2 years, which reflects the remaining terms of the related franchise agreements, not including renewal options. The reacquired territory rights, which were valued at $3.3 million on the acquisition date, were impaired during the fiscal quarter ended March 29, 2020. Property and equipment will be depreciated over a period of two to twenty years.

Segment Information

Segment Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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 March 29, 2020, (i) the Company-owned steakhouse restaurant segment included 83 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 March 29, March 31, 2020 2019 Revenues: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 103,971 $ 114,184 Franchise operations 3,626 4,558 Unallocated other revenue and revenue discounts 939 999 Total revenues $ 108,536 $ 119,741 Segment profits: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 17,791 $ 28,733 Franchise operations 3,626 4,558 Total segment profit 21,417 33,291 Unallocated operating income 939 999 Marketing and advertising expenses (3,438 ) (3,629 ) General and administrative costs (8,031 ) (8,751 ) Depreciation and amortization expenses (5,822 ) (4,969 ) Pre-opening costs (477 ) (98 ) Loss on impairment (8,697 ) — Interest expense, net (628 ) (405 ) Other income 33 2 Income (loss) before income tax expense $ (4,704 ) $ 16,440 Capital expenditures: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 3,767 $ 5,096 Corporate assets 161 764 Total capital expenditures $ 3,928 $ 5,860 March 29, December 29, 2020 2019 Total assets: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 455,562 $ 471,756 Franchise operations 1,142 2,435 Corporate assets - unallocated 72,255 17,756 Deferred income taxes - unallocated 6,901 4,929 Total assets $ 535,860 $ 496,876

Stock-based Employee Compensati

Stock-based Employee Compensation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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 March 29, 2020, there were no shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options, and 384,663 currently outstanding unvested restricted stock awards under the 2005 Plan. As of March 29, 2020, there were 536,666 currently outstanding unvested restricted stock awards and 54,550 restricted stock units under the 2018 Plan. As of March 29, 2020, the 2018 Plan has 2,171,715 shares available for future grants. During the first thirteen weeks of fiscal year 2020, the Company issued 208,249 restricted stock awards and units to directors, officers and other employees of the Company. Of the 208,249 restricted stock awards and units issued during the first thirteen weeks of fiscal year 2020, 50,419 shares will vest in fiscal year 2021, 99,040 shares will vest in fiscal year 2022, 50,426 shares will vest in fiscal year 2023 and 8,364 shares will vest in fiscal year 2025. Total stock compensation expense recognized during the first thirteen weeks of fiscal years 2020 and 2019 was $2.0 million, in each case.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	(10) Income Taxes On March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security Act (CARES Act) was enacted. Intended to provide economic relief to those impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, the CARES Act includes provisions, among others, addressing the carryback of net operating losses (NOL)s, temporary modifications to the interest expense deduction limits, and technical amendments for qualified improvement property. Additionally, the CARES Act provides for refundable employee retention tax credits and the deferral of the employer-paid portion of social security taxes. The Company intends to take advantage of the ability to carryback to prior years federal NOLs generated in certain years, as well as the deferral offered for the employer-paid portion of social security tax. The Company continues to evaluate other provisions of the CARES Act and its impact on its effective tax rate. 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: 13 Weeks Ended March 29, March 31, 2020 2019 Income tax expense at statutory rates 21.0 % 21.0 % Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from: State income taxes, net of federal benefit 3.1 % 3.8 % Federal employment tax credits (4.2 %) (8.9 %) Non-deductible executive compensation 0.9 % 1.9 % Stock-based compensation (6.2 %) (1.3 %) Other 4.2 % (1.1 %) Effective tax rate 18.8 % 15.4 % The Employment-related tax credits line in the effective tax rate schedule above is comprised mainly of federal FICA tip credits which the Company utilizes to reduce its periodic federal income tax expense. A restaurant company employer may claim a credit against its federal income taxes for FICA taxes paid on certain 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. Reflected in the Other line in the effective tax rate schedule above for the quarter ended March 29, 2020 is a tax benefit of $1.8 million related to the carryback of federal NOLs under the CARES Act, and a tax expense of $1.7 million related to changes in valuation allowances against deferred tax assets for certain state NOL carryforwards.

Earnings Per Share

Earnings Per Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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 March 29, March 31, 2020 2019 Net income (loss) $ (3,818 ) $ 13,911 Shares: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 28,287,261 29,275,501 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 28,287,261 29,903,511 Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.13 ) $ 0.48 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.13 ) $ 0.47 Diluted earnings per share for the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 and 2019 excludes restricted shares of 341,451 and 27,788 which were outstanding during the period but were anti-dilutive and had no exercise price.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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. The COVID-19 outbreak and these responses have affected and will continue to adversely affect our revenue, operating costs and liquidity, and we cannot predict how long the outbreak will last or what other government responses may occur. The COVID-19 outbreak has also adversely affected our ability to open new restaurants. Due to the uncertainty in the economy and to preserve liquidity, we have paused all construction of new restaurants and major remodel projects at existing restaurants. These changes may materially adversely affect our ability to grow our business, particularly if these construction pauses are in place for a significant amount of time. As a result of the COVID-19 outbreak, we may be unable to secure additional liquidity. We have engaged in and are continuing to engage in discussions with various parties to explore financing opportunities to further enhance our liquidity Our restaurant operations could be further disrupted if large numbers of our employees are diagnosed with COVID-19. If a significant percentage of our workforce is unable to work, whether because of illness, quarantine, limitations on travel or other government restrictions in connection with COVID-19, our operations may be negatively impacted, potentially materially adversely affecting our liquidity, financial condition or results of operations. Team members might seek and find other employment during the COVID-19 business interruption, which could materially adversely affect our ability to properly staff and reopen our restaurants with experienced team members when the business interruptions caused by COVID-19 abate or end. Our suppliers could be adversely impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak. If our suppliers’ employees are unable to work, whether because of illness, quarantine, limitations on travel or other government restrictions in connection with COVID-19, we could face shortages of food items or other supplies at our restaurants, and our operations and sales could be adversely impacted by such supply interruptions. We did not pay rent to our landlords in April 2020. We have begun discussions with our landlords to reduce or defer our rent payments. We are unable to predict the outcome of these discussions and the extent to which we will be able to negotiate to reduce or defer rent. With rent payments being delayed, landlords may terminate our leases or could take other actions that restrict our ability to access or reopen our stores in a timely manner. Additional government regulations or legislation as a result of COVID-19 in addition to decisions we have made and may make in the future relating to the compensation of and benefit offerings for our restaurant team members could also have an adverse effect on our business. We cannot predict the types of additional government regulations or legislation that may be passed relating to employee compensation as a result of the COVID-19 outbreak. The Company could experience other potential impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic that are not completely known at this time, including, but not limited to, charges from potential adjustments to the carrying amount of goodwill, indefinite-lived intangibles and long-lived asset impairment charges. Our actual results may differ materially from the Company’s current estimates as the scope of the COVID-19 pandemic evolves, depending largely though not exclusively on the duration of the disruption to its business.

Significant Accounting Policies

Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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 March 29, 2020 and December 29, 2019 and for the thirteen week periods ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 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 March 29, 2020, there were 159 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, including 83 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. During January 2020 a Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurant was relocated in Washington, D.C. 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 7. 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 March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 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 29, 2019. The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in December. The fiscal quarters ended March 29, 2020 and March 31, 2019 each contained thirteen weeks and are referred to herein as the first quarter of fiscal year 2020 and the first quarter of fiscal year 2019, respectively. Fiscal years 2020 and 2019 are both 52-week years.
Covid-19 Impact	COVID-19 Impact In March 2020 the World Health Organization declared the novel coronavirus ( mandatory restaurant closures, capacity limitations, social distancing guidelines or other restrictions . As a result of these developments, the Company is experiencing a significant negative impact on its revenues, results of operations and cash flows which could impact its ability to meet its obligations over the next twelve months. In response to the business disruption caused by the COVID-19 outbreak, the Company has taken the following actions, which management expects will enable it to meet its obligations over the next twelve months. Operating Initiatives. Due to the government mandates regarding limiting or prohibiting in-restaurant dining due to COVID-19, the Company is leveraging its Ruth’s Anywhere program in markets where take-out and delivery sales are sufficient to cover the costs of management staffing those locations. As of the date of this report the dining rooms in all of the Company-owned restaurants are closed. The Company is operating take-out and delivery in 56 Company-owned restaurants where it is permitted by local regulations and economically viable and 30 Company-owned and -managed restaurants are closed. As of the date of this report, our labor and supply chain have not been disrupted. Many of the franchisee-owned locations are experiencing similar disruptions to their business, and as a result, the Company has waived franchise royalty requirements until their dining rooms have re-opened. The Company currently expects the majority of its dining rooms to remain closed through most of the second fiscal quarter of 2020. Capital and Expense Reductions . The Company has suspended all new restaurant construction and non-essential capital expenditures. The Company has also made significant reductions in ongoing operating expenses, including curtailing operations in restaurants where take-out and delivery is not viable and furloughing a significant number of team members in the field and in the Company’s Home Office. In addition, the Company has also implemented pay reductions for all remaining Home Office and field employees. We have taken measures to reduce payments to our landlords and vendors in April 2020 and have begun discussions with our landlords and vendors to reduce or defer our payments. We are unable to predict the outcome of these discussions and the extent to which we will be able to negotiate to reduce or defer payments . With payments being delayed, landlords or vendors may terminate our leases and contracts or could take other actions that restrict our ability to access or reopen our stores in a timely manner. Dividends and Share Buybacks . The Company suspended the quarterly cash dividend and there are no plans for share buybacks in the foreseeable future. Balance Sheet. In March 2020, the Company entered into a Second Amendment to our Credit Agreement (‘Second Amendment”), which increased the Company’s borrowing capacity to $150.0 million and relaxed the leverage covenant restrictions to 4.0 times Bank Adjusted EBITDA through the first quarter of 2021. We borrowed the remaining available amount under the Revolving Credit Facility as a precautionary measure in order to increase the Company’s cash position and preserve financial flexibility. On May 7, 2020, the Company entered into a Third Amendment to our Credit Agreement (“Third Amendment”), which waived financial covenants until the first quarter of 2021, further relaxed the leverage covenant restrictions during the first and second quarters of 2021 and added a monthly liquidity covenant. This is an unprecedented event in the Company’s history and it is uncertain how the conditions surrounding will change including the timing of lifting any restrictions or closure requirements, when the Company’s dining rooms will re-open, and what level of customer demand the Company will experience once the dining rooms are permitted to re-open. if the Company fails to comply with its financial covenants and is unable to remedy or obtain a waiver or amendment, an event of default would result. the Company the Company
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 Accounting Pronouncements In June 2016 the FASB issued ASU 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses. This update requires immediate recognition of management’s estimates of current expected credit losses. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2016-13 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial reporting. In January 2017 the FASB issued ASU 2017-04, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other: Simplifying the Impairment Test for Goodwill. This update eliminated the calculation of implied goodwill fair value. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2017-04 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial reporting. In August 2018 the FASB issued ASU 2018-13, Fair Value Measurement – Disclosure Framework – Changes to the Disclosure Requirements for Fair Value Measurement. This update primarily amended the disclosures required surrounding Level 3 fair value measurements. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-13 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial reporting. In August 2018 the FASB issued ASU 2018-15, Intangibles – Goodwill and Other – Internal-Use Software (Subtopic 350-40). This update aligns the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred in a cloud computing arrangement that is a service contract with the requirements for capitalizing implementation costs incurred to develop or obtain internal-use software. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 2019. The adoption of ASU 2018-15 did not have a significant impact on the Company’s financial reporting. In August 2018 the FASB issued ASU 2018-1 9 , Codification Improvements to Topic 326, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses . This update clarifies that receivables arising from operating leases are not within the scope of Subtopic 326-20. Instead, impairment of receivables arising from operating leases should be accounted for in accordance with Topic 842. The Company adopted this new standard on December 30, 20 19 . The adoption of ASU 201 8 -1 9 did not have a significant impact o n the Company’s financial reporting. In December 2019 the FASB issued ASU 2019-12, Income Taxes (Topic 740). This update modifies Topic 740 to simplify the accounting for income taxes. This update is effective for the Company in the first quarter of fiscal year 2021. The adoption of ASU 2019-12 is not expected to have a significant impact on the Company’s ongoing financial reporting.

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Assets Measured at Fair Value on Non-recurring Basis	The Company’s non-financial assets measured at fair value on a non-recurring basis as of March 29, 2020 were as follows (in thousands): Fair Value as of March 29, 2020 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 3) Total Losses on Impairment Long-lived assets $ 4,689 $ 4,689 $ 5,596 Fair Value as of March 29, 2020 Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 3) Total Losses on Impairment Territory rights $ — $ — $ 3,101

Leases (Tables)

Leases (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Leases [Abstract]
Schedule of Components of Lease Expense	The components of lease expense are as follows (in thousands): 13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended Classification March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Operating lease cost Restaurant operating expenses and General and administrative costs $ 7,152 $ 6,380 Variable lease cost Restaurant operating expenses and General and administrative costs 2,726 2,757 Total lease cost $ 9,878 $ 9,137
Schedule of Maturities of Lease Liabilities	As of March 29, 2020, maturities of lease liabilities are summarized as follows (in thousands): Operating Leases 2020, excluding first thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020 $ 21,621 2021 28,290 2022 27,212 2023 24,290 2024 24,094 Thereafter 208,279 Total future minimum rental commitments 333,786 Imputed interest (93,329 ) $ 240,457
Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases	Supplemental cash flow information related to leases was as follows (in thousands): 13 Weeks Ended 13 Weeks Ended March 29, 2020 March 31, 2019 Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities: Operating cash flows from operating leases $ 6,507 $ 6,524 Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations: Operating leases $ 3,820 $ 4,055

Revenue (Tables)

Revenue (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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 March 29, 2020: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 103,040 $ — $ 103,040 Franchise income 3,059 567 3,626 Other operating income 1,870 — 1,870 Total revenue $ 107,969 $ 567 $ 108,536 13 Weeks Ended March 31, 2019: Domestic International Total Revenue Restaurant sales $ 112,986 $ — $ 112,986 Franchise income 3,819 739 4,558 Other operating income 2,197 — 2,197 Total revenue $ 119,002 $ 739 $ 119,741
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). March 29, December 29, 2020 2019 Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2020 - $270; 2019 - $241 $ 3,780 $ 19,615 Deferred revenue $ 47,403 $ 52,856 Unearned franchise fees $ 2,430 $ 2,489 Deferred Unearned Revenue Franchise Fees Balance at December 29, 2019 $ 52,856 $ 2,489 Decreases in the beginning balance from gift card redemptions (11,522 ) — Increases due to proceeds received, excluding amounts recognized during the period 6,115 — Decreases due to recognition of franchise development and opening fees — (59 ) Increases due to proceeds received for franchise development and opening fees — — Other (46 ) — Balance at March 29, 2020 $ 47,403 $ 2,430

Long-term Debt (Tables)

Long-term Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments	Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands): March 29, December 29, 2020 2019 Senior Credit Facility: Revolving credit facility $ 145,000 $ 64,000 Less current maturities — — $ 145,000 $ 64,000
Schedule of Consolidated Leverage Ratio	Period Maximum Ratio The last day of the first Fiscal Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year 5.00 to 1.00 The last day of the second Fiscal Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year 4.50 to 1.00 The last day of the third Fiscal Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year 4.00 to 1.00 The last day of the fourth Fiscal Quarter of the 2021 Fiscal Year and thereafter 3.00 to 1.00
Schedule of Minimum Cash Requirement	May 2020 $34,000,000 June 2020 $29,000,000 July 2020 $21,000,000 August 2020 $19,000,000 September 2020 $15,000,000 October 2020 1 $13,000,000 November 2020 1 $13,000,000 December 2020 $14,000,000 1

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

Shareholders' Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Stockholders Equity Note [Abstract]
Schedule of Dividends Declared and Payable	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 2020 February 21, 2020 $ 0.15 March 6, 2020 $ 4,428 March 20, 2020 Fiscal Year 2019 February 22, 2019 $ 0.13 March 7, 2019 $ 3,967 March 21, 2019

Segment Information (Tables)

Segment Information (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information, Operating Profit (Loss)	13 Weeks Ended March 29, March 31, 2020 2019 Revenues: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 103,971 $ 114,184 Franchise operations 3,626 4,558 Unallocated other revenue and revenue discounts 939 999 Total revenues $ 108,536 $ 119,741 Segment profits: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 17,791 $ 28,733 Franchise operations 3,626 4,558 Total segment profit 21,417 33,291 Unallocated operating income 939 999 Marketing and advertising expenses (3,438 ) (3,629 ) General and administrative costs (8,031 ) (8,751 ) Depreciation and amortization expenses (5,822 ) (4,969 ) Pre-opening costs (477 ) (98 ) Loss on impairment (8,697 ) — Interest expense, net (628 ) (405 ) Other income 33 2 Income (loss) before income tax expense $ (4,704 ) $ 16,440 Capital expenditures: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 3,767 $ 5,096 Corporate assets 161 764 Total capital expenditures $ 3,928 $ 5,860
Segment Information, Assets	March 29, December 29, 2020 2019 Total assets: Company-owned steakhouse restaurants $ 455,562 $ 471,756 Franchise operations 1,142 2,435 Corporate assets - unallocated 72,255 17,756 Deferred income taxes - unallocated 6,901 4,929 Total assets $ 535,860 $ 496,876

Income Taxes (Tables)

Income Taxes (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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: 13 Weeks Ended March 29, March 31, 2020 2019 Income tax expense at statutory rates 21.0 % 21.0 % Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from: State income taxes, net of federal benefit 3.1 % 3.8 % Federal employment tax credits (4.2 %) (8.9 %) Non-deductible executive compensation 0.9 % 1.9 % Stock-based compensation (6.2 %) (1.3 %) Other 4.2 % (1.1 %) Effective tax rate 18.8 % 15.4 %

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020
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 March 29, March 31, 2020 2019 Net income (loss) $ (3,818 ) $ 13,911 Shares: Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic 28,287,261 29,275,501 Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted 28,287,261 29,903,511 Basic earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.13 ) $ 0.48 Diluted earnings (loss) per common share $ (0.13 ) $ 0.47

The Company and Basis of Pres_2

The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details Textual) $ in Millions	Mar. 27, 2020	Jul. 29, 2019USD ($)	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)Restaurant
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate	4
Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Second Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity upon Satisfaction of Certain Conditions | $			$ 150
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate			4
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			159
Ruths Chris Steak House [Member] | Company [Member]
Organization And Basis Of Presentation [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants			83
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

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details Textual) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)Restaurant
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment of goodwill and franchise rights	$ 0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Non-financial assets	0
Long-lived Assets [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment loss	$ 5,600
Number of restaurants | Restaurant	7
Long-lived Assets [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment loss	$ 5,596
Non-financial assets	4,689
Territory Rights [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment loss	3,100
Territory Rights [Member] | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment loss	$ 3,101

Fair Value Measurements - Asset

Fair Value Measurements - Assets Measured at Fair Value on Non-recurring Basis (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)
Long-lived Assets [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment loss	$ 5,600
Territory Rights [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment loss	3,100
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value	0
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Long-lived Assets [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Fair value	4,689
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 3)	4,689
Impairment loss	5,596
Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring [Member] | Territory Rights [Member]
Fair Value Assets And Liabilities Measured On Recurring And Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Impairment loss	$ 3,101

Leases (Details Textual)

Leases (Details Textual) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)Lease
Leases [Line Items]
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	4.90%
Number of leases executed | Lease	7
Undiscounted fixed payments over the initial term | $	$ 35.7
Lease description	Additionally, at March 29, 2020 we have executed seven leases for new Ruth’s Chris Steak House Restaurant locations with undiscounted fixed payments over the initial term of $35.7 million.  These leases are expected to have an economic lease term of 20 years.  These leases will commence when the landlords make the property available to us for the new restaurant construction.  We will assess the reasonably certain lease term at the lease commencement date.
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

Leases - Schedule of Components

Leases - Schedule of Components of Lease Expense (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Leases [Abstract]
Operating lease cost	$ 7,152	$ 6,380
Variable lease cost	2,726	2,757
Total lease cost	$ 9,878	$ 9,137

Leases - Schedule of Maturities

Leases - Schedule of Maturities of Lease Liabilities (Details) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)
Leases [Abstract]
2020, excluding first thirteen weeks ended March 29, 2020	$ 21,621
2021	28,290
2022	27,212
2023	24,290
2024	24,094
Thereafter	208,279
Total future minimum rental commitments	333,786
Imputed interest	(93,329)
Total	$ 240,457

Leases - Schedule of Supplement

Leases - Schedule of Supplemental Cash Flow Information Related to Leases (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of lease liabilities:
Operating cash flows from operating leases	$ 6,507	$ 6,524
Right-of-use assets obtained in exchange for lease obligations:
Operating leases	$ 3,820	$ 4,055

Revenue - Summary of Disaggrega

Revenue - Summary of Disaggregated Revenue by Major Component for Each Category (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 108,536	$ 119,741
Restaurant Sales [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	103,040	112,986
Franchise Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	3,626	4,558
Other Operating Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,870	2,197
Domestic [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	107,969	119,002
Domestic [Member] | Restaurant Sales [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	103,040	112,986
Domestic [Member] | Franchise Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	3,059	3,819
Domestic [Member] | Other Operating Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	1,870	2,197
International [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	567	739
International [Member] | Franchise Income [Member]
Disaggregation Of Revenue [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 567	$ 739

Revenue - Summary of Receivable

Revenue - Summary of Receivables and Deferred Revenue Liabilities from Contract with Customers (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019	Mar. 31, 2019	Dec. 30, 2018
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2020 - $270; 2019 - $241	$ 3,780	$ 19,615
Deferred revenue	47,403	52,856	$ 42,506	$ 48,370
Unearned franchise fees	$ 2,430	$ 2,489	$ 2,855	$ 2,680

Revenue - Summary of Receivab_2

Revenue - Summary of Receivables and Deferred Revenue Liabilities from Contract with Customers (Details) (Parentheticals) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Allowance for doubtful accounts	$ 270	$ 241

Revenue - Summary of Significan

Revenue - Summary of Significant Changes in Deferred Revenue and Unearned Franchise Fees (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenue From Contract With Customer [Abstract]
Deferred Revenue, Beginning balance	$ 52,856	$ 48,370
Deferred Revenue, Decreases in the beginning balance from gift card redemptions	(11,522)	(12,663)
Deferred Revenue, Increases due to proceeds received, excluding amounts recognized during the period	6,115	6,613
Deferred Revenue, Other	(46)	186
Deferred Revenue, Ending balance	47,403	42,506
Unearned Franchise Fees, Beginning balance	2,489	2,680
Unearned Franchise Fees, Decreases due to recognition of franchise development and opening fees	(59)	(125)
Unearned Franchise fees, Increases due to proceeds received for franchise development and opening fees		300
Unearned Franchise Fees, Ending balance	$ 2,430	$ 2,855

Long-term Debt - Summary of Lon

Long-term Debt - Summary of Long-term Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Revolving credit facility	$ 145,000	$ 64,000
Long-term debt	$ 145,000	$ 64,000

Long-term Debt (Details Textual

Long-term Debt (Details Textual)

Sep. 27, 2020USD ($)

Mar. 27, 2020USD ($)

Sep. 18, 2019USD ($)

Feb. 02, 2017USD ($)

Mar. 28, 2021USD ($)

Mar. 29, 2020USD ($)

Dec. 31, 2021

Sep. 30, 2021

Jun. 30, 2021

Mar. 31, 2021

Dec. 31, 2020

May 07, 2020USD ($)

Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate, at Point in Time

3.10%

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Feb. 2, 2017

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

4

Amended Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member]

Debt Instrument, Maturity Date

Feb. 2, 2022

Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast

Percentage of net cash proceeds

50.00%

Proceeds from issuance of equity

$ 20,000,000

Minimum [Member] | Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast

Percentage of net cash proceeds

50.00%

Proceeds from issuance of equity

$ 30,000,000

Maximum [Member] | Second Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Repurchase or Dividend [Member]

Consolidated leverage ratio

250.00%

Maximum [Member] | Second Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Capital Expenditure [Member]

Consolidated leverage ratio

250.00%

Maximum [Member] | Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast

Consolidated leverage ratio

275.00%

300.00%

400.00%

450.00%

500.00%

Fixed charge coverage ratio

125.00%

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

2.75%

London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] | Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

3.25%

Base [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

1.75%

Base [Member] | Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

2.25%

Senior Credit Facility [Member]

Long-term Line of Credit

$ 145,000,000

Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity

$ 201,000,000

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.30%

Letter of Credit [Member]

Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount

$ 4,800,000

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

Letter of Credit [Member] | Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

$ 5,000,000

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Amended Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.40%

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

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

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Second Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member]

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity upon Satisfaction of Certain Conditions

$ 150,000,000

Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate

4

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Second Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member]

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity upon Satisfaction of Certain Conditions

$ 150,000,000

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast

Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage

0.40%

Revolving Credit Facility [Member] | Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

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

Swingline Loans [Member] | Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Wells Fargo Bank, National Association and Other Lenders [Member] | Subsequent Event [Member]

Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity

$ 5,000,000

Long-term Debt - Schedule of Co

Long-term Debt - Schedule of Consolidated Leverage Ratio (Details)	Dec. 31, 2021	Sep. 30, 2021	Jun. 30, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 28, 2021
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Maximum [Member] | Forecast
Consolidated leverage ratio	300.00%	400.00%	450.00%	500.00%	275.00%

Long-term Debt - Schedule of Mi

Long-term Debt - Schedule of Minimum Cash Requirement (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands		Dec. 31, 2020	Nov. 30, 2020	Oct. 31, 2020	Sep. 30, 2020	Aug. 31, 2020	Jul. 31, 2020	Jun. 30, 2020	May 31, 2020
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast
Minimum cash holding requirements	[1]	$ 14,000,000	$ 13,000,000	$ 13,000,000	$ 15,000,000	$ 19,000,000	$ 21,000,000	$ 29,000,000	$ 34,000,000
[1]	For each of October 2020 and November 2020, to the extent that any net cash proceeds of any equity issuances by the Company or any of its subsidiaries are included in the calculation of Minimum Scheduled Cash for such month, the amounts for such month in the chart above will be deemed to be $12,000,000 and $10,000,000, respectively.

Long-term Debt - Schedule of _2

Long-term Debt - Schedule of Minimum Cash Requirement (Parenthetical) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Nov. 30, 2020	Oct. 31, 2020
Third Amendment to Credit Agreement [Member] | Forecast
Deemed Minimum Scheduled Cash	$ 10,000,000	$ 12,000,000

Shareholders' Equity (Details T

Shareholders' Equity (Details Textual) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Oct. 31, 2019
Restricted Stock [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	921,329
Restricted Stock Units [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number	54,550
Revolving Credit Facility [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Share-based Payment Award, Description	The recent amendments to the Company’s Revolving Credit Facility currently prohibit the payment of dividends and share repurchases until our leverage ratio is less than 2.5 times Bank Adjusted EBITDA.
The 2019 Share Repurchase Plan [Member]
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Share repurchased	902,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value	$ 13,200,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Average Cost per Share	$ 14.66
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 41,600,000
Stock Repurchase Program, Authorized Amount		$ 60,000,000

Shareholders' Equity - Dividend

Shareholders' Equity - Dividends Declared (Details) - Dividend Declared 1 [Member] - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Dividends Payable [Line Items]
Declaration Date	Feb. 21, 2020	Feb. 22, 2019
Dividend Per Share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.15	$ 0.13
Record Date	Mar. 6, 2020	Mar. 7, 2019
Total Amount	$ 4,428	$ 3,967
Payment Date	Mar. 20, 2020	Mar. 21, 2019

Franchisee Acquisition (Details

Franchisee Acquisition (Details Textual) - MBR Franchise Acquisition Restaurants [Member] - USD ($) $ in Millions	Jul. 29, 2019	Mar. 29, 2020
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition of franchise restaurant, net of cash acquired	$ 18.6
Weighted average amortization period of reaquired franchise and territory rights		6 years 2 months 12 days
Minimum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life		2 years
Territory rights fully impaired		$ 3.3
Maximum [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Property and equipment, useful life		20 years

Segment Information (Details Te

Segment Information (Details Textual)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020RestaurantSegment
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Operating Segments | Segment	2
Ruths Chris Steak House [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	159
Company [Member] | Ruths Chris Steak House [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	83
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
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Revenues:
Revenues	$ 108,536	$ 119,741
Segment profits:
Gross profit	21,417	33,291
Unallocated operating income	939	999
Marketing and advertising expenses	(3,438)	(3,629)
General and administrative costs	(8,031)	(8,751)
Depreciation and amortization expenses	(5,822)	(4,969)
Pre-opening costs	(477)	(98)
Loss on impairment	(8,697)
Interest expense, net	(628)	(405)
Other	33	2
Income (loss) before income tax expense	(4,704)	16,440
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditure	3,928	5,860
Operating Segments [Member] | Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	103,971	114,184
Segment profits:
Gross profit	17,791	28,733
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditure	3,767	5,096
Operating Segments [Member] | Franchise Operations [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	3,626	4,558
Segment profits:
Gross profit	3,626	4,558
Segment Reconciling Items [Member]
Revenues:
Revenues	939	999
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Capital expenditures:
Capital expenditure	$ 161	$ 764

Segment Information - Segment_2

Segment Information - Segment Information, Assets (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 29, 2020	Dec. 29, 2019
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	$ 535,860	$ 496,876
Operating Segments [Member] | Company-owned Steakhouse Restaurants [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	455,562	471,756
Operating Segments [Member] | Franchise Operations [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	1,142	2,435
Corporate, Non-Segment [Member]
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Assets	72,255	17,756
Deferred income taxes - unallocated	$ 6,901	$ 4,929

Stock-based Employee Compensa_2

Stock-based Employee Compensation (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Millions	May 15, 2018	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019	Sep. 29, 2019
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated Share-based Compensation Expense		$ 2	$ 2
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		921,329
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		54,550
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				2,171,715
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, Restricted Stock Award, Gross		208,249
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		50,419
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		99,040
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		50,426
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		8,364
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		536,666
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		54,550
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				0
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				384,663

Income Taxes - Reconciliation o

Income Taxes - Reconciliation of the U.S. Statutory Rate to the Effective Rate (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
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	3.10%	3.80%
Federal employment tax credits	(4.20%)	(8.90%)
Non-deductible executive compensation	0.90%	1.90%
Stock-based compensation	(6.20%)	(1.30%)
Other	4.20%	(1.10%)
Effective tax rate	18.80%	15.40%

Income Taxes (Details Textual)

Income Taxes (Details Textual) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Income Tax [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	$ 886	$ (2,529)
CARES Act [Member]
Income Tax [Line Items]
Income tax benefit	1,800
Income tax expense related to valuation allowance against deferred tax assets	$ 1,700

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
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Net Income (loss)	$ (3,818)	$ 13,911
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic	28,287,261	29,275,501
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - diluted	28,287,261	29,903,511
Basic earnings (loss) per common share	$ (0.13)	$ 0.48
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share	$ (0.13)	$ 0.47

Earnings Per Share (Details Tex

Earnings Per Share (Details Textual) - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 29, 2020	Mar. 31, 2019
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	341,451	27,788

Commitments and Contingencies (

Commitments and Contingencies (Details Textual)	Mar. 29, 2020Supplier
Commitments And Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of Suppliers	2