10-Q

 UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark One)

☒ QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2013

OR

☐ TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934  

For the transition period from                       to                      

Commission File Number 000-51485

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	72-1060618
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
1030 W. Canton Avenue, Suite 100, Winter Park, FL	32789
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip code)

(407) 333-7440

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code

None.

Former name, former address and former fiscal year, if changed since last report.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).    Yes  ☒    No  ☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company. See definition of “accelerated filer,” “large accelerated filer,” and “smaller reporting company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act (check one):

Large accelerated filer	☐	Accelerated filer	☒
Non-accelerated filer	☐	Smaller reporting company	☐

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.).    Yes  ☐    No  ☒

The number of shares outstanding of the registrant’s common stock as of August 2, 2013 was 35,661,252, which includes 625,948 shares of unvested restricted stock.

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

		Page
Part I — Financial Information		3
Item 1.	Financial Statements:	3
	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2013 and December 30, 2012	3
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss) for the Thirteen and Twenty-six Week Periods ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012	4
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the Twenty-six Week Periods ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012	5
	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the Twenty-six Week Periods ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012	6
	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	7
Item 2.	Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	14
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk	19
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	20
Part II — Other Information		20
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	20
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	20
Item 2.	Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds	21
Item 3.	Defaults Upon Senior Securities	21
Item 4.	Mine Safety Disclosures	21
Item 5.	Other Information	21
Item 6.	Exhibits	21
Signatures…..		22

2

PART I – FINANCIAL INFORMATION

ITEM 1. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—Unaudited

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

  

	June 30,			December 30,
	2013			2012
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$	5,530		$	7,909
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2013 - $656; 2012 - $378		8,938			11,295
Inventory		7,202			7,921
Assets held for sale		0			1,153
Prepaid expenses and other		2,248			1,863
Deferred income taxes		2,267			1,855
Total current assets		26,185			31,996
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 2013 - $118,910; 2012 - $112,292		90,936			89,979
Goodwill		22,097			22,097
Franchise rights		32,200			32,200
Trademarks		10,676			10,676
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 2013 - $2,596; 2012 - $2,456		5,891			6,031
Deferred income taxes		31,485			35,472
Other assets		2,690			2,906
Total assets	$	222,160		$	231,357
Liabilities and Shareholders' Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	$	9,527		$	13,126
Accrued payroll		12,694			16,023
Accrued expenses		8,384			7,097
Deferred revenue		20,430			31,214
Other current liabilities		5,865			7,189
Total current liabilities		56,900			74,649
Long-term debt		40,000			45,000
Deferred rent		23,509			24,358
Other liabilities		4,776			4,962
Total liabilities		125,185			148,969
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)		0			0
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 34,920,369 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 34,434,858 shares issued and outstanding at December 30, 2012		349			344
Additional paid-in capital		166,559			167,403
Accumulated deficit		(69,933	)		(85,359	)
Treasury stock, at cost; 71,950 shares at June 30, 2013 and December 30, 2012		0			0
Total shareholders' equity		96,975			82,388
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$	222,160		$	231,357

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

3

RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)—Unaudited

(Amounts in thousands, except share and per share data)

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Revenues:
Restaurant sales	$	95,135		$	91,221		$	197,929		$	187,774
Franchise income		3,647			3,243			7,310			6,698
Other operating income		3,034			2,647			3,937			2,904
Total revenues		101,816			97,111			209,176			197,376
Costs and expenses:
Food and beverage costs		28,888			29,339			60,949			60,235
Restaurant operating expenses		47,823			46,529			97,218			93,615
Marketing and advertising		3,600			2,409			5,600			4,138
General and administrative costs		7,339			6,227			14,592			13,112
Depreciation and amortization expenses		3,138			3,639			6,743			7,347
Pre-opening costs		142			75			143			120
Total costs and expenses		90,930			88,218			185,245			178,567
Operating income		10,886			8,893			23,931			18,809
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net		(415	)		(598	)		(931	)		(1,079	)
Debt issuance costs written-off		0			0			0			(807	)
Other		4			(48	)		38			(61	)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense		10,475			8,247			23,038			16,862
Income tax expense		2,612			2,403			6,419			4,976
Income from continuing operations		7,863			5,844			16,619			11,886
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(96	)		(12	)		(1,192	)		41
Net income		7,767			5,832			15,427			11,927
Preferred stock dividends		0			0			0			514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		0			0			0			73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed		0			0			0			35,776
Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$	7,767		$	5,832		$	15,427			(24,436	)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.48		$	(0.71	)
Discontinued operations		-			-			(0.03	)		-
Basic earnings (loss) per share	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.45		$	(0.71	)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.46		$	(0.71	)
Discontinued operations		-			-			(0.03	)		-
Diluted earnings (loss) per share	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.43		$	(0.71	)
Shares used in computing net income (loss) per common share:
Basic		34,660,149			34,304,948			34,554,692			34,237,788
Diluted		35,681,077			35,133,637			35,585,807			34,237,788
Dividends declared per common share	$	0.04		$	-		$	0.04		$	-

  See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

4

RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity—Unaudited

for the Twenty-six Weeks ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012

(Amounts in thousands) 

					Additional			Accumu-				Treasury					Share-
	Common Stock				Paid-in			lated				Stock					holders'
	Shares		Value		Capital				Deficit				Shares		Value			Equity
Balance at December 30, 2012		34,434	$	344	$	167,403			$	(85,359	)			72	$	-		$	82,388
Net income		-		-		-				15,427				-		-			15,427
Dividends		-		-		(1,430	)			-				-		-			(1,430	)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan net of shares withheld for tax effects		486		5		(1,674	)			-				-		-			(1,670	)
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation		-		-		898				-				-		-			898
Stock-based compensation		-		-		1,362				-				-		-			1,362
Balance at June 30, 2013		34,920	$	349	$	166,559			$	(69,933	)			72		-		$	96,975
Balance at December 25, 2011		34,150	$	341	$	200,524			$	(101,225	)			72	$	-		$	99,640
Net income		-		-		-				11,927				-		-			11,927
Preferred stock dividends		-		-		-				(514	)			-		-			(514	)
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-		-		(73	)			-				-		-			(73	)
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of Preferred Shares redeemed		-		-		(35,776	)			-				-		-			(35,776	)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan including tax effects		223		2		324				-				-		-			325
Stock-based compensation		-		-		1,048				-				-		-			1,048
Balance at June 24, 2012		34,373	$	343	$	166,047			$	(89,813	)			72		-		$	76,577

 

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements. 

5

RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC AND SUBSIDIARIES

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Unaudited

(Amounts in thousands)

	26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$	15,427		$	11,927
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization		6,743			7,346
Deferred income taxes		3,575			2,658
Non-cash interest expense		210			258
Debt issuance costs written-off		0			807
Loss on the disposal of property and equipment, net		3			0
Amortization of below market lease		65			65
Stock-based compensation expense		1,362			1,048
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivables		2,357			4,292
Inventories		718			74
Prepaid expenses and other		(385	)		(135	)
Other assets		5			1
Accounts payable and accrued expenses		(9,094	)		(4,411	)
Deferred revenue		(10,783	)		(7,521	)
Deferred rent		(849	)		83
Other liabilities		101			854
Net cash provided by operating activities		9,455			17,346
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment		(5,737	)		(4,653	)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment		1,104			0
Net cash used in investing activities		(4,633	)		(4,653	)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal borrowings on long-term debt		3,500			68,000
Principal repayments on long-term debt		(8,500	)		(19,000	)
Redemption of Series A 10% redeemable convertible preferred stock		0			(59,740	)
Income tax benefits from the vesting of restricted stock		898			0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options		101			0
Tax payments pertaining to the vesting of restricted stock		(1,770	)		0
Dividend payments		(1,430	)		(1,103	)
Deferred financing costs		0			(610	)
Other		0			324
Net cash used in financing activities		(7,201	)		(12,129	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		(2,379	)		564
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		7,909			3,925
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	$	5,530		$	4,489
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	$	798		$	912
Income taxes	$	2,269		$	757
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Excess accrual-based acquisition of property and equipment	$	1,840		$	(207	)

See accompanying notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

6

RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements—Unaudited

(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 June 30, 2013 and December 30, 2012 and for the fiscal quarters and twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012 have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. is a leading restaurant company focused on the upscale dining segment. The Company owns the Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Columbus Fish Market, Mitchell’s Steakhouse and Cameron’s Steakhouse concepts.

As of June 30, 2013, there were 138 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, of which 63 were Company-owned, 74 were franchisee-owned, and one location was operating under a management agreement. The franchisee-owned restaurants include eighteen international restaurants in Aruba, Canada, China (Hong Kong), El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. A Ruth’s Chris Steak House located at Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, NC operates under a management agreement between the Company and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The management fee and our share of the income from the Cherokee, NC location are included in other operating income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss).

Two new Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations opened during the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013, including a second franchise restaurant located in San Juan in April 2013 and a franchise restaurant opened in early 2013 in Las Vegas under a licensing agreement with Harrah’s Casino. The fee from the licensing agreement is included in franchise income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). Due to an expiring lease term, the Company closed its Ruth’s Chris Steak House location in Phoenix, AZ, on March 31, 2013. The Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House location in Houston, TX was relocated in July 2013.

The Company also operates 19 Mitchell’s Fish Markets and three Cameron’s/Mitchell’s Steakhouse restaurants, located primarily in the Mid-west and Florida.

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 June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012.

The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in December. The fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012 each contained 13 weeks and are referred to herein as the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 and the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, respectively. Fiscal year 2013 is a 52-week year and fiscal year 2012 was a 53-week year.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount of property and equipment, goodwill, franchise rights, trademarks and obligations related to workers’ compensation and medical insurance. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

The operating results of a closed location (see Note 9) have been reclassified to the discontinued operations line of the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.

7

Recent Accounting Pronouncements for Future Application

Accounting standards that have been issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or other standard-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

(2) Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

In February 2010, the Company issued and sold 25,000 shares of Preferred Stock to Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. Management, L.P. and affiliates (BRS) in a private placement transaction. The Company received proceeds of $23.2 million, net of approximately $1.8 million in closing and issuance costs. The Preferred Stock was classified as temporary shareholders’ equity since the shares had certain conditions that allowed the holder to redeem the Preferred Stock for cash, and for which redemption was not solely within the control of the Company.

Each share of the Preferred Stock had an initial liquidation preference of $1,000. The holders of the Preferred Stock were entitled to quarterly dividends accruing at a 10% annual rate. The Preferred Stock was also convertible, under certain circumstances, into the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the quotient of the liquidation preference, including accrued dividends, divided by the conversion price. Using the liquidation preference of $25.0 million as of December 25, 2011, a conversion of Preferred Stock into the Company’s common stock would have resulted in the issuance of 8,620,690 additional common shares. The Preferred Stock was convertible at any time, at the option of the holders. The Company had the option to convert the Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, after February 12, 2012 if the closing price of the Company’s common stock equaled or exceeded 225% of the then applicable conversion price for a period of 20 trading days over any 30 consecutive trading day period. At the option of the Company, the Preferred Stock could have been redeemed on or after February 12, 2015 without regard to the Company’s stock price. At the option of the holders, the Preferred Stock could have been redeemed on or after February 12, 2017. The redemption price per share was to equal the liquidation preference, including any accrued dividends. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 480-10-S99, the Company was accreting the carrying value of Preferred Stock to its redemption value of $25 million from the date of issuance to the earliest redemption date, February 12, 2015.

On March 8, 2012, the Company repurchased all of the outstanding Preferred Stock for $60.2 million. The purchase price, which includes payment of all accrued and unpaid dividends owed on the Preferred Stock, was funded using borrowings from the Company’s $100 million senior credit facility. After the repurchase and retirement of the Preferred Stock, the Company’s fully diluted common share base decreased by approximately 8.6 million shares and the 10% annual dividend on the preferred stock, which amounted to $2.5 million in fiscal year 2011, was eliminated. The Company recorded a reduction of net income applicable to shareholders of approximately $35.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 to reflect the excess of the redemption value over the financial statement carrying value of the preferred shares redeemed. In connection with the repurchase of Preferred Stock, the BRS director designee resigned from his position as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

(3) Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

 

	June 30,		December 30,
	2013		2012
Senior Credit Facility:
Revolving credit facility	$	40,000	$	45,000
Less current maturities		-		-
	$	40,000	$	45,000

As of June 30, 2013, the Company had an aggregate of $40 million of outstanding indebtedness under its senior credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 3.09% with approximately $55.9 million of borrowings available, net of outstanding letters of credit of approximately $4.1 million. The 3.09% weighted average rate includes a 2.5% interest rate on outstanding indebtedness, plus fees on the Company’s unused borrowing capacity and outstanding letters of credit.

On February 14, 2012, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, as administrative agent, and certain other lenders (the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement allows for loan advances plus outstanding letters of credit of up to $100.0 million to be outstanding at any time that the conditions for borrowings are met. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement sets the interest rates applicable to borrowings based on the Company’s actual leverage ratio, ranging (a) from 2.00% to 2.75% above the applicable LIBOR rate or (b) at the Company’s option, from 1.00% to 1.75% above the applicable base rate.

8

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary covenants and restrictions, including, but not limited to: (1) prohibitions on incurring additional indebtedness and from guaranteeing obligations of others; (2) prohibitions on creating, incurring, assuming or permitting to exist any lien on or with respect to any property or asset; (3) limitations on the Company’s ability to enter into joint ventures, acquisitions, and other investments; (4) prohibitions on directly or indirectly creating or becoming liable with respect to certain contingent liabilities; and (5) restrictions on directly or indirectly declaring, ordering, paying, or making any restricted junior payments. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25:1.00 and the maximum leverage ratio of 2.50:1.00. The agreement was amended in May 2013 to reset the limit applicable to junior stock payments, which include both cash dividend payments and repurchase of common and preferred stock. Junior stock payments made subsequent to December 30, 2012 through the end of the agreement are limited to $100 million; $1.4 million of such payments had been made as of June 30, 2013. The Company’s obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by each of its existing and future subsidiaries and are secured by substantially all of its assets and a pledge of the capital stock of its subsidiaries. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes customary events of default. As of June 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

As a result of the February 2012 amendment, $100 thousand of legal fees were incurred in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012. In addition, $807 thousand of previously deferred debt issuance costs were written off because the participants of the lending group changed.

(4) Shareholders’ Equity

On May 3, 2013, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program. Under the program the Company may from time to time purchase up to $30 million of its outstanding common stock. The share repurchases will be made at the Company’s discretion, within pricing parameters set by the Board of Directors, in the open market or in negotiated transactions depending on share price, market conditions or other factors. As of June 30, 2013, no shares have been repurchased under the common stock 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 2013:
May 3, 2013	$	0.04	May 16, 2013	$	1,430	May 30, 2013
July 24, 2013	$	0.04	August 15, 2013	$	1,424	August 29, 2013

(5) 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 June 30, 2013 have variable interest rates that reflect currently available terms and conditions for similar debt. The carrying amount of this debt is a reasonable estimate of its fair value (Level 2).

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company had no assets or liabilities measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements of “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” FASB ASC Topic 820.

(6) Franchise Income

There are 74 Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchise locations, including 18 international locations. During the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013, two new Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchise locations opened, including a second franchise restaurant located in San Juan in April 2013 and a location in Las Vegas, NV operating under a license agreement with the Company. In January 2013, the Company signed an agreement with the Ko Group for the development of four new franchised Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants to be opened in the People’s Republic of China over the next three years. Franchise income includes opening and development fees and income generated from existing franchise locations.

9

(7) Stock-Based Employee Compensation

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held on May 30, 2013, the stockholders of the Company approved the proposed amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the number of shares covered by the Plan by 2,000,000 shares to 5,862,500 shares, extend the Plan’s expiration date to May 30, 2018, and approve the material terms of performance goals under the Plan.

Under the 2000 Stock Option Plan, there were 9,527 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options at June 30, 2013 and no future grants are able to be made. Under the Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, at June 30, 2013 there were 1,378,775 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options, 686,143 currently outstanding restricted stock awards and 2,429,214 shares available for future grants. Outstanding restricted stock is not included in common stock outstanding amounts. Total stock compensation expense recognized during the second quarters of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 was $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Total stock compensation expense recognized for the first twenty-six weeks of June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012 was $1.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

(8) Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory rate to the effective rate applicable to continuing operations for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 follows:

		26 Weeks Ended
		June 30,			June 24,
		2013			2012
Income tax expense at statutory rates			35.0	%		35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		4.5	%		4.5	%
	Employment tax credits		-10.4	%		-9.5	%
	Prior year state credits		-2.6	%		0.0	%
	Other		1.4	%		-0.5	%
Effective tax rate			27.9	%		29.5	%

Income tax expense (benefit) is allocated to discontinued operations based on the marginal tax impact of discontinued operations. The Company’s effective tax rate for combined income from continuing operations and discontinued operations was 24.8% and 29.1% for the second quarters of fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for combined income from continuing operations and discontinued operations was 26.9% and 29.4% for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the second fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company recognized a state income tax benefit for employment related tax credits aggregating $1.0 million based on qualified employee wages during the years 2006 through 2012. These prior year state tax credits resulted in a discrete $600 thousand reduction (net of federal and state tax consequences) in income tax expense. Approximately half of the benefit will be realized on a carryback basis by amending prior year state income tax returns and management expects that the remainder of the benefit will be realized on a carryforward basis. Pursuant to state legislation enacted in July 2013, restaurant companies will not be able to claim credits for employees hired after January 1, 2014 and the carryforward period for existing credits is limited to ten years.

The Company files consolidated and separate income tax returns in the United States Federal jurisdiction and many state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal income or state tax examinations for years before 2009.

(9) Discontinued Operations

The Company accounts for its closed restaurants in accordance with the provisions of “Property, Plant and Equipment—Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” FASB ASC Topic 360-10. Therefore, when a restaurant is closed, and the restaurant is either held for sale or abandoned, the restaurant’s operations are eliminated from the ongoing operations. Accordingly, the operations of such restaurants, net of applicable income taxes, are presented as discontinued operations and prior period operations of such restaurants, net of applicable income taxes, are reclassified.

10

Discontinued operations consist of the following (in thousands):

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Revenues	$	-		$	602		$	808		$	1,339
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(152	)	$	(26	)	$	(1,947	)	$	37
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(96	)	$	(12	)	$	(1,192	)	$	41

In March 2013, the Company closed the Ruth’s Chris Steak House located in Phoenix, AZ after twenty-seven years of operation. As the closing of this restaurant coincided with the termination of the lease agreement, the Company did not incur significant expenses related to closing this location. The results of operations with respect to this location for all periods prior to closing have been reclassified and are now included in discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss).

The Company accounts for the exit costs in accordance with the provisions of “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations,” FASB ASC Topic 420, which requires that such costs be expensed in the periods when such costs are incurred. All of the losses incurred are included in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income (loss). In August 2005, the Company ceased operations at its location near the United Nations in Manhattan. The Company has remaining lease commitments of $0.6 million per fiscal year through September 2016. The Company entered into a sublease agreement in April 2011 in order to recover some of the amounts due under the remaining lease term. As of December 30, 2012, the Company had recorded a contingent lease liability of $0.8 million related to this property which was net of a contra-liability for the present value of anticipated sublease income. In March 2013, the subtenant vacated the property. The Company has commenced legal proceedings to recover all amounts due. Loss from discontinued operations for the first twenty-six weeks of 2013 includes the impact of a remeasurement of our lease exit costs. The remeasurement included (a) the write-off of the $1.4 million contra liability and (b) the write-off of past due rent and utility amounts owed by the subtenant. The loss before income taxes on discontinued operations for the first twenty-six weeks of 2013 includes $1.8 million from the location near the United Nations in Manhattan. As of June 30, 2013, the contingent lease liability was $2.0 million and the subtenant owed the Company $570 thousand for past due rent and utilities.

(10) Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed under the two-class method as provided in “Earnings Per Share,” FASB ASC Topic 260. Under the two-class method a portion of net income is allocated to participating securities, such as the Company’s Preferred Stock, and therefore is excluded from the calculation of earnings per share allocated to common shares. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing the net income applicable to common shareholders for the period by the weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Net income, in both the basic and diluted earnings per common share calculations, is reduced by the Preferred Stock dividends and accretion of the Preferred Stock to its redemption value. Additionally, net income for the twenty-six weeks ended June 24, 2012 in both the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was reduced by the excess of the redemption value over the carrying value of the preferred shares redeemed.

Diluted earnings per share for the second quarters of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 excludes stock options and restricted shares of 307,232 and 669,153, respectively, which were outstanding during the period but were anti-dilutive. The weighted average exercise prices of the anti-dilutive stock options for second quarters of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were $18.66 and $12.89 per share, respectively.

Diluted earnings per share for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 and 2012 excludes stock options and restricted shares of 318,732 and 760,715, respectively, which were outstanding during the period but were anti-dilutive. Diluted earnings per share for the first twenty-six weeks ended June 24, 2012 also excludes the 8,620,690 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 25,000 shares of Preferred Stock, which were outstanding until their repurchase and retirement on March 8, 2012, but were anti-dilutive. The weighted average exercise prices of the anti-dilutive stock options for the twenty-six weeks of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were $18.34 and $12.63 per share, respectively.

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The following table sets forth the computation of basic earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

 

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Income from continuing operations	$	7,863		$	5,844		$	16,619		$	11,886
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(96	)		(12	)		(1,192	)		41
Net income		7,767			5,832			15,427			11,927
Preferred stock dividends		-			-			-			514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			-			73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redeemed		-			-			-			35,776
Undistributed net income (loss)		7,767			5,832			15,427			(24,436	)
Undistributed net income (loss) allocated to preferred shareholders		-			-			-			-
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders	$	7,767		$	5,832		$	15,427		$	(24,436	)
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,660,149			34,304,948			34,554,692			34,237,788
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.48		$	(0.71	)
Discontinued operations		-			-			(0.03	)		-
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.45		$	(0.71	)

The following table sets forth the computation of diluted earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Income from continuing operations	$	7,863		$	5,844		$	16,619		$	11,886
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(96	)		(12	)		(1,192	)		41
Net income		7,767			5,832			15,427			11,927
Preferred stock dividends		-			-			-			514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			-			73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redeemed		-			-			-			35,776
Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$	7,767		$	5,832		$	15,427		$	(24,436	)
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,660,149			34,304,948			34,554,692			34,237,788
Dilutive shares		1,020,928			828,689			1,031,115			-
Dilutive convertible preferred stock		-						-			-
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted		35,681,077			35,133,637			35,585,807			34,237,788
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.46		$	(0.71	)
Discontinued operations		-			-			(0.03	)		-
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.43		$	(0.71	)

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(11) 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 our results of operations and cash flows in future periods.

The Company is subject to unclaimed or abandoned property (escheat) laws which require the Company to turn over to certain state governmental authorities the property of others held by the Company that has been unclaimed for specified periods of time. The Company is subject to audit by individual U.S. states with regard to its escheatment practices. During fiscal year 2012, the Company agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle certain liabilities pertaining to unclaimed property returns which had not been filed timely, which was paid during the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. The settlement liability was previously accrued for and did not affect the fiscal year 2012 or fiscal year 2013 income statements. During fiscal year 2013, management expects to enter into settlement discussions with other states in an effort to settle liabilities pertaining to unclaimed property returns which have not been filed timely. Management does not expect the settlement of these liabilities to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

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.

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ITEM 2.      MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Forward-Looking Statements

This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains “forward-looking statements” that reflect, when made, the Company’s expectations or beliefs concerning future events that involve risks and uncertainties. Forward-looking statements frequently are identified by the words “believe,” “anticipate,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “project,” “will be,” “will continue,” “will likely result,” or other similar words and phrases. Similarly, statements herein that describe the Company’s objectives, plans or goals also are forward-looking statements. Actual results could differ materially from those projected, implied or anticipated by the Company’s forward-looking statements. Some of the factors that could cause actual results to differ include: changes in economic conditions and general trends; the loss of key management personnel; the effect of market volatility on the Company’s stock price; health concerns about beef or other food products; the effect of competition in the restaurant industry; changes in consumer preferences or discretionary spending; reductions in the availability of, or increases in the cost of, USDA Prime grade beef, fish and other food items; labor shortages or increases in labor costs; the impact of federal, state or local government regulations relating to Company employees, the sale or preparation of food, the sale of alcoholic beverages and the opening of new restaurants; harmful actions taken by the Company’s franchisees; the Company’s ability to protect its name and logo and other proprietary information; the impact of litigation; and the restrictions imposed by the Company’s Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. For a discussion of these and other risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from those contained in the forward-looking statements, see “Risk Factors” in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012, which is available on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, and the Company undertakes no obligation to revise or update this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q to reflect events or circumstances after the date hereof.

Unless the context otherwise indicates, all references in this report to the “Company,” “Ruth’s,” “we,” “us”, or “our” or similar words are to Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. is a Delaware corporation formerly known as Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Inc., and was founded in 1965.

Overview

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. is a leading restaurant company focused on the upscale dining segment. The Company owns the Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Columbus Fish Market, Mitchell’s Steakhouse and Cameron’s Steakhouse concepts.

As of June 30, 2013, there were 138 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, of which 63 were Company-owned, 74 were franchisee-owned, and one location was operating under a management agreement. The franchisee-owned restaurants include eighteen international franchisee-owned restaurants in Aruba, Canada, China (Hong Kong), El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. Two new Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations opened during the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013, including a second franchise restaurant located in San Juan in April 2013 and a franchise restaurant opened in early 2013 in Las Vegas under a licensing agreement with Harrah’s Casino under which we receive a fee as a percentage of sales. Due to an expiring lease term, we closed our Ruth’s Chris Steak House company-owned restaurant in Phoenix, AZ, on March 31, 2013. Our Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Houston, TX was relocated in July 2013. We are targeting to open a new company-owned restaurant in Denver in late 2013 . We expect that franchisees will open approximately three to four new restaurants during the remainder of 2013.

The Company operates 19 Mitchell’s Fish Markets and three Cameron’s Steakhouse restaurants, located primarily in the Mid-west and Florida.

In January 2013, we signed an agreement with the Ko Group for the development of four new franchised Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants to be opened in People’s Republic of China over the next three years. The new restaurants are planned for Shanghai and Beijing and will be the first Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants in People’s Republic of China. The Ko Group has had success as an existing franchisee with seven restaurants in Hong Kong, Japan, Taiwan, and Singapore.

Our business is subject to seasonal fluctuations. Historically, our first and fourth quarters have tended to be the strongest revenue quarters due, in part, to the year-end holiday season. Accordingly, results for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for any other quarter or for any year and comparable restaurant sales for any particular period may decrease.

Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012 provides additional information about our business, operations and financial condition.

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Results of Operations

The table below sets forth certain operating data expressed as a percentage of total revenues for the periods indicated, except as otherwise noted. Our historical results are not necessarily indicative of the operating results that may be expected in the future.

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Revenues:
Restaurant sales		93.4%			93.9%			94.6%			95.1%
Franchise income		3.6%			3.3%			3.5%			3.4%
Other operating income		3.0%			2.7%			1.9%			1.5%
Total revenues		100.0%			100.0%			100.0%			100.0%
Costs and expenses:
Food and beverage costs (percentage of restaurant sales)		30.4%			32.2%			30.8%			32.1%
Restaurant operating expenses (percentage of restaurant sales)		50.3%			51.0%			49.1%			49.9%
Marketing and advertising		3.5%			2.5%			2.7%			2.1%
General and administrative costs		7.2%			6.4%			7.0%			6.6%
Depreciation and amortization expenses		3.1%			3.7%			3.2%			3.7%
Pre-opening costs		0.1%			0.1%			0.1%			0.1%
Restructuring benefit		0.0%			0.0%			0.0%			0.0%
Total costs and expenses		89.3%			90.8%			88.6%			90.5%
Operating income		10.7%			9.2%			11.4%			9.5%
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net		(0.4%	)		(0.6%	)		(0.4%	)		(0.5%	)
Debt issuance costs written-off		0.0%			0.0%			0.0%			(0.4%	)
Other		0.0%			(0.0%	)		0.0%			(0.0%	)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense		10.3%			8.5%			11.0%			8.5%
Income tax expense		2.6%			2.5%			3.1%			2.5%
Income from continuing operations		7.7%			6.0%			7.9%			6.0%
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(0.1%	)		(0.0%	)		(0.6%	)		0.0%
Net income		7.6%			6.0%			7.4%			6.0%
Preferred stock dividends		0.0%			0.0%			0.0%			0.3%
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		0.0%			0.0%			0.0%			0.0%
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed		0.0%			0.0%			0.0%			18.1%
Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders		7.6%			6.0%			7.4%			(12.4%	)

Second Quarter Ended June 30, 2013 (13 Weeks) Compared to Second Quarter Ended June 24, 2012 (13 Weeks)

Overview. Second quarter fiscal year 2013 operating income increased from the second quarter fiscal year 2012 level by $2.0 million to $10.9 million. Second quarter fiscal year 2013 operating income was favorably impacted by a $3.9 million increase in restaurant sales which was somewhat offset by increased restaurant operating expenses. Higher restaurant sales were attributable both to an increase in the number of customers as measured by an increase in entrées and an increase in average check. Net income for the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 increased by $2.0 million to $7.8 million as compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2012.

Restaurant Sales. Restaurant sales increased $3.9 million, or 4.3%, to $95.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. Company-owned comparable restaurant sales for Ruth’s Chris Steak House increased 4.6%, which consisted of an entrée increase of 2.1% and an average check increase of 2.5%. Company-owned comparable restaurant sales at Mitchell’s Fish Market decreased 1.4%, which consisted of an entrée decrease of 2.8% and an average check increase of 1.5%. Our total company comparable sales growth in the second quarter of this year was adversely affected by the shift of the Easter Holiday from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 to the first quarter of fiscal year 2013.

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Franchise Income. Franchise income increased $0.4 million, or 12.5%, to $3.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. The increase was driven by five new locations which opened since June 2012 and an increase in comparable franchise-owned restaurant sales of 3.5%.

Other Operating Income. Other operating income increased $0.4 million to $3.0 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. The increase was attributable to our management fee and our share of income at the Cherokee location and higher gift card breakage income in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013. Our management fee and our share of income from our Cherokee location was $0.2 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 and $0 in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012.

Food and Beverage Costs. Food and beverage costs decreased $0.4 million, or 1.5%, to $28.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. As a percentage of restaurant sales, food and beverage costs decreased to 30.4% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from 32.2% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. This decrease in food and beverage costs as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to the favorable impact of higher restaurant sales and lower beef costs.

Restaurant Operating Expenses. Restaurant operating expenses increased $1.3 million, or 2.8%, to $47.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. Restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of restaurant sales, decreased to 50.3% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from 51.0% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 due to leveraging higher comparable restaurant sales.

Marketing and Advertising. Marketing and advertising expenses increased $1.2 million to $3.6 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. The increase in marketing and advertising expenses in the second quarter of fiscal 2013 was attributable to planned television advertising spending.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased $1.1 million to $7.3 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 primarily due to increases in performance-based compensation, stock compensation and professional fees.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.5 million to $3.1 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012 due to certain property and equipment becoming fully depreciated.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $0.2 million to $0.4 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 from the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. The decrease in expense was primarily due to a lower average debt balance in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

Income Tax Expense. During the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, we recognized income tax expense of $2.6 million. During the second quarter of fiscal 2012 we recognized income tax expense of $2.4 million. The effective tax rate decreased to 24.9% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 compared to 29.1% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. During the second fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company recognized a state income tax benefit for employment related tax credits aggregating $1.0 million generated during the years 2006 through 2012. These prior year state tax credits resulted in a discrete $600 thousand reduction (net of federal and state tax consequences) in income tax expense and lowered the effective income tax rate by 5.7% in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

Income from Continuing Operations. Income from continuing operations of $7.9 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 increased by $2.0 million compared to the second quarter of fiscal year 2012.

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Preferred and Common Shareholders. Net income applicable to preferred and common shareholders was $7.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 compared to $5.8 million in the second quarter of fiscal year 2012.

Twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013 compared to twenty-six weeks ended June 24, 2012

Overview. The first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 operating income increased from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012 by $5.1 million to $23.9 million. The first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 operating income was favorably impacted by a $10.1 million increase in restaurant sales which was somewhat offset by increased food and restaurant operating expenses. Higher restaurant sales were attributable both to an increase in the number of customers as measured by an increase in entrées and an increase in average check. Income from continuing operations increased from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012 by $4.7 million to $16.6 million. Net income for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 was adversely impacted by loss from discontinued operations. The first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 $1.2 million loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes, includes a $1.1 million loss attributable to property we lease near the United Nations in Manhattan. We recognized the loss as a consequence of a remeasurement of our lease exit costs due to the subtenant abandoning the property subleased from us. The first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 net income increased from first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012 by $3.5 million to $15.4 million.

16

Preferred stock requirements are deducted from net income to arrive at net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders. During the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012, we reported a $24.4 million loss applicable to shareholders due to the repurchase of all of the Company’s Preferred Stock. We recorded a reduction of net income applicable to shareholders of $35.8 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012 to reflect the excess of the redemption value over the carrying value of the preferred shares redeemed.

Restaurant Sales. Restaurant sales increased $10.1 million, or 5.4%, to $197.9 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. Company-owned comparable restaurant sales for Ruth’s Chris Steak House increased 5.7%, which consisted of a traffic increase of 2.5% and an average check increase of 3.1%. Company-owned comparable restaurant sales at Mitchell’s Fish Market was relatively flat to the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. Mitchell’s Fish Market traffic decreased 0.1% and the average check increased 0.1%.

Franchise Income. Franchise income increased $0.6 million, or 9.1%, to $7.3 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. The increase was driven by five new locations which opened since June 2012 and an increase in comparable franchise-owned restaurant sales of 2.1%.

Other Operating Income. Other operating income increased $1.0 million to $3.9 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. The increase was attributable to higher gift card breakage income in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013. Our management fee and our share of income from the Cherokee location was $0.3 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 and $0 in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012.

Food and Beverage Costs. Food and beverage costs increased $0.7 million, or 1.2%, to $60.9 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. As a percentage of restaurant sales, food and beverage costs decreased to 30.8% in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from 32.1% in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. This decrease in food and beverage costs as a percentage of restaurant sales was primarily due to the favorable impact of sales increasing proportionally more than beef costs.

Restaurant Operating Expenses. Restaurant operating expenses increased $3.6 million, or 3.8%, to $97.2 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. Restaurant operating expenses, as a percentage of restaurant sales, decreased to 49.1% in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from 49.9% in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012 due to leveraging higher comparable restaurant sales.

Marketing and Advertising. Marketing and advertising expenses increased $1.5 million to $5.6 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. The increase in marketing and advertising expenses in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 was attributable to planned television advertising spending.

General and Administrative. General and administrative expenses increased $1.5 million to $14.6 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012 primarily due to increases in performance-based compensation, stock compensation and professional fees.

Depreciation and Amortization Expenses. Depreciation and amortization expense decreased $0.6 million to $6.7 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 primarily due to certain property and equipment becoming fully depreciated.

Interest Expense. Interest expense decreased $0.2 million to $0.9 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 from the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. The decrease in expense was due to lower interest rates and a lower average debt balance in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013.

Income Tax Expense. During the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013, we recognized income tax expense of $6.4 million. During the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal 2012 we recognized income tax expense of $5.0 million. The effective tax rate decreased to 27.9% in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 compared to 29.5% in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. During the second fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company recognized a state income tax benefit for employment related tax credits aggregating $1.0 million generated during the years 2006 through 2012. These prior year state tax credits resulted in a discrete $600 thousand reduction (net of federal and state tax consequences) in income tax expense and lowered the effective income tax rate by 2.6% in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013.

17

Income from Continuing Operations. Income from continuing operations of $16.6 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 increased by $4.7 million compared to the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012.

Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, net of income taxes. Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 was a loss of $1.2 million. The loss includes a $1.1 million loss, net of income tax benefit, attributable to property we lease near the United Nations in Manhattan. We recognized the loss as a consequence of the remeasurement of our lease exit costs due to the subtenant abandoning the property subleased from us.

Net Income (Loss) Applicable to Preferred and Common Shareholders. Net income applicable to preferred and common shareholders was $15.4 million in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 compared to $24.4 million net loss in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012. Net income applicable to preferred and common shareholders in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012 included charges for preferred stock dividends of $0.5 million and accretion of preferred stock redemption value of $0.1 million. We also recorded a reduction of net income applicable to shareholders of $35.8 million in the first fiscal twenty-six weeks of 2012 to reflect the excess of the redemption value over the carrying value of the preferred shares redeemed.

Liquidity and Capital Resources

Overview

Our principal sources of cash during the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 were net cash provided by operating activities and borrowings under our $100 million senior credit facility. Our principal uses of cash during the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 were for capital expenditures, principal repayments on our senior credit facility and dividends.

On March 8, 2012, we repurchased all of our issued and outstanding shares of Preferred Stock for $60.2 million in cash. The purchase price, which included all accrued and unpaid dividends owed on the preferred stock, was funded using borrowings under our $100 million senior credit facility. We believe the repurchase of all of the outstanding Preferred Stock enhanced our capital structure by reducing our potentially fully diluted common share base and eliminating the preferred dividends. As a result of the repurchase, our potential fully diluted common share base decreased by approximately 8.6 million shares and the 10% dividend on the preferred stock, which amounted to $2.5 million in fiscal year 2011, was eliminated.

On May 3, 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program. Under the program, we may from time to time purchase up to $30 million of our outstanding common stock. The share repurchases will be made at our discretion in the open market or in negotiated transactions depending on share price, market conditions or other factors. The share repurchase program does not obligate us to repurchase any dollar amount or number of shares. As of June 30, 2013, no shares have been repurchased under the common stock repurchase program.

On May 30, 2013, we paid a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share, $1.4 million in the aggregate.On August 2, 2013, we announced that our Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.04 per share, $1.4 million in aggregate, to be paid on August 29, 2013 to stockholders of record as of the close of business on August 15, 2013. Future dividends will be subject to the approval of our Board of Directors.

We have reduced borrowing under our senior credit facility by $5.0 million since the end of fiscal year 2012 and by $31.0 million since the end of the second quarter of fiscal year 2012. As of June 30, 2013, we had an aggregate of $40.0 million of outstanding indebtedness under our senior credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 3.09% with approximately $55.9 million of borrowings available, net of outstanding letters of credit of approximately $4.1 million. The 3.09% weighted average interest rate includes a 2.50% interest rate on outstanding indebtedness, plus fees on our unused borrowing capacity and outstanding letters of credit. As of June 30, 2013, we were in compliance with all the covenants under our senior credit facility. We amended our senior credit agreement in May 2013 to reset the limit applicable to junior stock payments, which include both cash dividend payments and repurchases of common and preferred stock. As a result of the amendment, we are now permitted to make up to $100 million in junior stock payments; $1.4 million of such payments had been made as of June 30, 2013.

We anticipate capital expenditures for fiscal year 2013 will aggregate approximately $14 million to $16 million. We believe that our borrowing ability under our senior credit facility coupled with our anticipated cash flow from operations should provide us with adequate liquidity in fiscal year 2013.

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Sources and Uses of Cash

The following table presents a summary of our net cash provided by (used in) operating, investing and financing activities (in thousands):

 

		26 Weeks Ended
		June 30,			June 24,
		2013			2012
Net cash provided by (used in):
	Operating activities	$	9,455		$	17,346
	Investing activities		(4,633	)		(4,653	)
	Financing activities		(7,201	)		(12,129	)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		$	(2,379	)	$	564

Operating cash inflows pertain primarily to restaurant sales and franchise income. Operating cash outflows pertain primarily to expenditures for food and beverages, restaurant operating expenses, marketing and advertising and general and administrative costs. Operating activities provided cash flow during the first quarters of both fiscal years 2013 and 2012 primarily because operating revenues have exceeded cash-based expenses. Cash provided by operating activities was lower in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 compared to the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012 primarily due to the fiscal year 2013 payments of fiscal year 2012 performance based compensation liabilities and a $2.5 million payment to settle certain liabilities pertaining to unclaimed property.

Cash used in investing activities in both periods pertained primarily to restaurant remodel projects. Investing activities in the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 also included the cost of relocating our Houston restaurant.

Financing activities used cash in both periods. During the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 we reduced the debt outstanding under our senior credit facility by $5.0 million. We also paid dividends of $1.4 million during the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013. During the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2012 we repurchased all of our outstanding preferred stock for $60.2 million, which was funded by our senior credit facility. We also repaid $11.0 million of debt, net, using cash provided by operations.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

As of June 30, 2013, we did not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

The preparation of our financial statements requires management to make estimates, judgments and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses during the periods presented. Our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012 includes a summary of the critical accounting policies and estimates that we believe are the most important to aid in the understanding our financial results. There have been no material changes to these critical accounting policies and estimates that impacted our reported amounts of assets, liabilities, revenues or expenses during the second quarter of fiscal year 2013.

ITEM 3.  QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK  

Interest Rate Risk

The Company is exposed to market risk from fluctuations in interest rates. For fixed rate debt, interest rate changes affect the fair market value of such debt but do not impact earnings or cash flows. Conversely for variable rate debt, including borrowings under the Company’s senior credit facility, interest rate changes generally do not affect the fair market value of such debt, but do impact future earnings and cash flows, assuming other factors are held constant. At June 30, 2013, the Company had $40.0 million of variable rate debt outstanding. The Company currently does not use financial instruments to hedge its risk to market fluctuations in interest rates. Ceteris paribus, a hypothetical immediate one percentage point change in interest rates would be expected to have an impact on pre-tax earnings and cash flows for fiscal year 2013 of approximately $0.4 million.

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Foreign Currency Risk

The Company believes that fluctuations in foreign exchange rates do not present a material risk to its operations due to the relatively small amount of franchise income it receives from outside the U.S.

Commodity Price Risk

The Company is exposed to market price fluctuations in beef and other food product prices. Given the historical volatility of beef and other food product prices, this exposure can impact the Company’s food and beverage costs. As the Company typically sets its menu prices in advance of its beef and other food product purchases, the Company cannot quickly react to changing costs of beef and other food items. To the extent that the Company is unable to pass the increased costs on to its guests through price increases, the Company’s results of operations would be adversely affected. The Company has purchase price agreements for beef representing approximately 50% to 55% of its needs from July through December 2013. The market for USDA Prime grade beef is particularly volatile. If prices increase, or the supply of beef is reduced, operating margin could be materially adversely affected. Ceteris paribus, a hypothetical 10% fluctuation in beef prices would have an approximate impact ranging from $2 million to $3 million on pre-tax earnings for the balance of fiscal year 2013.

From time to time, the Company enters into to purchase price agreements for other lower volume food products, including seafood. In the past, certain types of seafood have experienced fluctuations in availability. Seafood is also subject to fluctuations in price based on availability, which is often seasonal. If certain types of seafood are unavailable, or if the Company’s costs increase, the Company’s results of operations could be adversely affected.

Effects of Inflation

Components of the Company’s operations subject to inflation include food, beverage, lease and labor costs. The Company’s leases require it to pay taxes, maintenance, repairs, insurance and utilities, all of which are subject to inflationary increases. The Company believes inflation has not had a material impact on its results of operations in recent years.

ITEM 4.  CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES  

Evaluation of disclosure controls and procedures

Under the supervision and with the participation of the Company’s management, including the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer, the Company conducted an evaluation of the effectiveness of the design and operation of its disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 13a-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”)), as of June 30, 2013. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and the Chief Financial Officer concluded that the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures were effective as of June 30, 2013 to ensure that information required to be disclosed in reports filed or submitted by the Company under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms and that information required to be disclosed by the Company is accumulated and communicated to the Company’s management to allow timely decisions regarding the required disclosure.

Changes in internal control over financial reporting

During the fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2013, there was no change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 13a-15(f) under the Exchange Act) that in the Company’s judgment has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II—OTHER INFORMATION

ITEM 1.  LEGAL PROCEEDINGS  

From time to time, the Company is involved in various disputes and litigation matters that arise in the ordinary course of business. While litigation is subject to uncertainties and the outcome of litigated matters is not predictable with assurance, the Company is not aware of any legal proceedings pending or threatened against it that it expects to have a material adverse effect on its financial condition or results of operations.

ITEM  1A.  RISK FACTORS  

There have been no material changes in the risk factors included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012, except for the following, which should be read in conjunction with the risk factors and information disclosed in such Annual Report on Form 10-K.

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We cannot assure you that we will continue to pay quarterly cash dividends on our common stock. Failure to continue to pay quarterly cash dividends to our stockholders could cause the market price for our common stock to decline.

Our ability to pay quarterly cash dividends will be subject to, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, business prospects, capital requirements, contractual restrictions, any indebtedness we may incur, restrictions imposed by applicable law, tax considerations and other factors that our board of directors deems relevant. There can be no assurance that we will continue to pay a quarterly cash dividend in the future. Any reduction or discontinuance by us of the payment of quarterly cash dividends could cause the market price of our common stock to decline. Moreover, in the event our payment of quarterly cash dividends is reduced or discontinued, our failure or inability to resume paying quarterly cash dividends at historical levels could result in a lower market valuation of our common stock.

ITEM 2.  UNREGISTERED SALES OF EQUITY SECURITIES AND USE OF PROCEEDS  

None.

ITEM  3.  DEFAULTS UPON SENIOR SECURITIES  

None.

ITEM  4.  MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES  

None.

ITEM 5.      OTHER INFORMATION

None.

ITEM  6.  EXHIBITS 

10.1  Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. Amended and Restated 2005 Long-Term Equity Incentive Plan, filed as Appendix A to the Proxy Statement dated April 19, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.

10.2  First Amendment to the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, dated as of May 8, 2013, by and among the Company, the lenders from time to time party thereto, the guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo, National Association, as administrative agent, filed as Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed on May 13, 2013 and incorporated by reference herein.

31.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

31.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.1  Certification of Chief Executive Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

32.2  Certification of Chief Financial Officer pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.

101.INS*     XBRL Instance Document.

101.SCH*      XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL*     XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF*     XBRL Taxonomy Definition Linkbase Document.

101.LAB*     XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.

101.PRE*     XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

* Pursuant to Rule 406T of Regulation S-T, these interactive data files are deemed not filed or part of a registration statement or prospectus for purposes of Sections 11 or 12 of the Securities Act of 1933, are not deemed filed for purposes of Section 18 of the Exchange Act and otherwise are not subject to liability under these sections.

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SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

RUTH’S HOSPITALITY GROUP, INC.
By:	/S/ MICHAEL P. O’DONNELL
	Michael P. O’Donnell
	Chairman of the Board, President and Chief Executive Officer
	(Principal Executive Officer)
By:	/s/ ARNE G. HAAK
	Arne G. Haak
	Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (Principal Financial Officer)
By:	/s/ MARK W. OSTERBERG
	Mark W. Osterberg
	Vice President of Accounting and Chief Accounting Officer (Principal Accounting Officer)

Date: August 5, 2013

22

EX-31

Exhibit 31.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Michael P. O’Donnell, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (the “Company”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 5, 2013
	By:	/s/ Michael P. O’Donnell
		Michael P. O’Donnell
		President and Chief Executive Officer of
		Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

EX-31

Exhibit 31.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 302 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

I, Arne G. Haak, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (the “Company”);

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the Company as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4. The Company’s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f)) for the Company and have:

(a) Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the Company, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b) Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c) Evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

(d) Disclosed in this report any change in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the Company’s most recent fiscal quarter that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5. The Company’s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the Company’s auditors and the audit committee of the Company’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a) All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the Company’s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

(b) Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.

Date: August 5, 2013
	By:	/s/ Arne G. Haak
		Arne G. Haak
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (Principal Financial Officer)

EX-32

Exhibit 32.1

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, the President and Chief Executive Officer of the Company, certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: August 5, 2013
	By:	/s/ Michael P. O’Donnell
		Michael P. O’Donnell
		President and Chief Executive Officer of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc.

EX-32

Exhibit 32.2

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO SECTION 906 OF

THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

In connection with the quarterly report on Form 10-Q of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (the “Company”) for the quarter ended June 30, 2013, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the “Report”), the undersigned, the Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of the Company, certifies, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. § 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

(1) The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

(2) The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

Date: August 5, 2013
	By:	/s/ Arne G. Haak
		Arne G. Haak
		Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. (Principal Financial Officer)

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Note 10 - Earnings Per Share

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

(10) Earnings Per Share

Basic earnings per common share is computed under the two-class method as provided in “Earnings Per Share,” FASB ASC Topic 260. Under the two-class method a portion of net income is allocated to participating securities, such as the Company’s Preferred Stock, and therefore is excluded from the calculation of earnings per share allocated to common shares. Diluted earnings per common share is computed by dividing the net income applicable to common shareholders for the period by the weighted average number of common and potential common shares outstanding during the period. Net income, in both the basic and diluted earnings per common share calculations, is reduced by the Preferred Stock dividends and accretion of the Preferred Stock to its redemption value. Additionally, net income for the twenty-six weeks ended June 24, 2012 in both the basic and diluted earnings per share calculations was reduced by the excess of the redemption value over the carrying value of the preferred shares redeemed.

Diluted earnings per share for the second quarters of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 excludes stock options and restricted shares of 307,232 and 669,153, respectively, which were outstanding during the period but were anti-dilutive. The weighted average exercise prices of the anti-dilutive stock options for second quarters of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were $18.66 and $12.89 per share, respectively.

Diluted earnings per share for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal year 2013 and 2012 excludes stock options and restricted shares of 318,732 and 760,715, respectively, which were outstanding during the period but were anti-dilutive. Diluted earnings per share for the first twenty-six weeks ended June 24, 2012 also excludes the 8,620,690 shares of common stock issuable upon the conversion of 25,000 shares of Preferred Stock, which were outstanding until their repurchase and retirement on March 8, 2012, but were anti-dilutive. The weighted average exercise prices of the anti-dilutive stock options for the twenty-six weeks of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 were $18.34 and $12.63 per share, respectively.

The following table sets forth the computation of basic earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Income from continuing operations	$	7,863		$	5,844		$	16,619		$	11,886
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(96	)		(12	)		(1,192	)		41
Net income		7,767			5,832			15,427			11,927
Preferred stock dividends		-			-			-			514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			-			73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redeemed		-			-			-			35,776
Undistributed net income (loss)		7,767			5,832			15,427			(24,436	)
Undistributed net income (loss) allocated to preferred shareholders		-			-			-			-
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders	$	7,767		$	5,832		$	15,427		$	(24,436	)
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,660,149			34,304,948			34,554,692			34,237,788
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.48		$	(0.71	)
Discontinued operations		-			-			(0.03	)		-
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.45		$	(0.71	)

The following table sets forth the computation of diluted earnings per share (amounts in thousands, except share and per share amounts):

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Income from continuing operations	$	7,863		$	5,844		$	16,619		$	11,886
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(96	)		(12	)		(1,192	)		41
Net income		7,767			5,832			15,427			11,927
Preferred stock dividends		-			-			-			514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			-			73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redeemed		-			-			-			35,776
Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$	7,767		$	5,832		$	15,427		$	(24,436	)
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,660,149			34,304,948			34,554,692			34,237,788
Dilutive shares		1,020,928			828,689			1,031,115			-
Dilutive convertible preferred stock		-						-			-
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted		35,681,077			35,133,637			35,585,807			34,237,788
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.46		$	(0.71	)
Discontinued operations		-			-			(0.03	)		-
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.43		$	(0.71	)

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income (Loss)—Unaudited (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Revenues:
Restaurant sales	$ 95,135	$ 91,221	$ 197,929	$ 187,774
Franchise income	3,647	3,243	7,310	6,698
Other operating income	3,034	2,647	3,937	2,904
Total revenues	101,816	97,111	209,176	197,376
Costs and expenses:
Food and beverage costs	28,888	29,339	60,949	60,235
Restaurant operating expenses	47,823	46,529	97,218	93,615
Marketing and advertising	3,600	2,409	5,600	4,138
General and administrative costs	7,339	6,227	14,592	13,112
Depreciation and amortization expenses	3,138	3,639	6,743	7,347
Pre-opening costs	142	75	143	120
Total costs and expenses	90,930	88,218	185,245	178,567
Operating income	10,886	8,893	23,931	18,809
Other income (expense):
Interest expense, net	(415)	(598)	(931)	(1,079)
Debt issuance costs written-off	0	0	0	(807)
Other	4	(48)	38	(61)
Income from continuing operations before income tax expense	10,475	8,247	23,038	16,862
Income tax expense	2,612	2,403	6,419	4,976
Income from continuing operations	7,863	5,844	16,619	11,886
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(96)	(12)	(1,192)	41
Net income	7,767	5,832	15,427	11,927
Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0	514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value	0	0	0	73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred shares redeemed	0	0	0	35,776
Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$ 7,767	$ 5,832	$ 15,427	$ (24,436)
Basic earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.17	$ 0.48	$ (0.71)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (0.03)	$ 0
Basic earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.17	$ 0.45	$ (0.71)
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.17	$ 0.46	$ (0.71)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (0.03)	$ 0
Diluted earnings (loss) per share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.17	$ 0.43	$ (0.71)
Shares used in computing net income (loss) per common share:
Basic (in Shares)	34,660,149	34,304,948	34,554,692	34,237,788
Diluted (in Shares)	35,681,077	35,133,637	35,585,807	34,237,788
Dividends declared per common share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.04		$ 0.04

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Note 3 - Long-Term Debt

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Long-term Debt [Text Block]

(3) Long-term Debt

Long-term debt consists of the following (in thousands):

	June 30,		December 30,
	2013		2012
Senior Credit Facility:
Revolving credit facility	$	40,000	$	45,000
Less current maturities		-		-
	$	40,000	$	45,000

As of June 30, 2013, the Company had an aggregate of $40 million of outstanding indebtedness under its senior credit facility at a weighted average interest rate of 3.09% with approximately $55.9 million of borrowings available, net of outstanding letters of credit of approximately $4.1 million. The 3.09% weighted average rate includes a 2.5% interest rate on outstanding indebtedness, plus fees on the Company’s unused borrowing capacity and outstanding letters of credit.

On February 14, 2012, the Company entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement with Wells Fargo Bank, as administrative agent, and certain other lenders (the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement). The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement allows for loan advances plus outstanding letters of credit of up to $100.0 million to be outstanding at any time that the conditions for borrowings are met. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement sets the interest rates applicable to borrowings based on the Company’s actual leverage ratio, ranging (a) from 2.00% to 2.75% above the applicable LIBOR rate or (b) at the Company’s option, from 1.00% to 1.75% above the applicable base rate.

The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary covenants and restrictions, including, but not limited to: (1) prohibitions on incurring additional indebtedness and from guaranteeing obligations of others; (2) prohibitions on creating, incurring, assuming or permitting to exist any lien on or with respect to any property or asset; (3) limitations on the Company’s ability to enter into joint ventures, acquisitions, and other investments; (4) prohibitions on directly or indirectly creating or becoming liable with respect to certain contingent liabilities; and (5) restrictions on directly or indirectly declaring, ordering, paying, or making any restricted junior payments. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement requires the Company to maintain a fixed charge coverage ratio of 1.25:1.00 and the maximum leverage ratio of 2.50:1.00. The agreement was amended in May 2013 to reset the limit applicable to junior stock payments, which include both cash dividend payments and repurchase of common and preferred stock. Junior stock payments made subsequent to December 30, 2012 through the end of the agreement are limited to $100 million; $1.4 million of such payments had been made as of June 30, 2013. The Company’s obligations under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are guaranteed by each of its existing and future subsidiaries and are secured by substantially all of its assets and a pledge of the capital stock of its subsidiaries. The Amended and Restated Credit Agreement includes customary events of default. As of June 30, 2013, the Company was in compliance with the covenants under the Amended and Restated Credit Agreement.

As a result of the February 2012 amendment, $100 thousand of legal fees were incurred in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012. In addition, $807 thousand of previously deferred debt issuance costs were written off because the participants of the lending group changed.

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Note 10 - Earnings Per Share (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Earnings Per Share [Text Block]

Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted [Table Text Block]

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Income from continuing operations	$	7,863		$	5,844		$	16,619		$	11,886
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(96	)		(12	)		(1,192	)		41
Net income		7,767			5,832			15,427			11,927
Preferred stock dividends		-			-			-			514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			-			73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redeemed		-			-			-			35,776
Undistributed net income (loss)		7,767			5,832			15,427			(24,436	)
Undistributed net income (loss) allocated to preferred shareholders		-			-			-			-
Net income (loss) applicable to common shareholders	$	7,767		$	5,832		$	15,427		$	(24,436	)
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,660,149			34,304,948			34,554,692			34,237,788
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.48		$	(0.71	)
Discontinued operations		-			-			(0.03	)		-
Basic earnings per common share	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.45		$	(0.71	)

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Income from continuing operations	$	7,863		$	5,844		$	16,619		$	11,886
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes		(96	)		(12	)		(1,192	)		41
Net income		7,767			5,832			15,427			11,927
Preferred stock dividends		-			-			-			514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		-			-			-			73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redeemed		-			-			-			35,776
Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$	7,767		$	5,832		$	15,427		$	(24,436	)
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic		34,660,149			34,304,948			34,554,692			34,237,788
Dilutive shares		1,020,928			828,689			1,031,115			-
Dilutive convertible preferred stock		-						-			-
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted		35,681,077			35,133,637			35,585,807			34,237,788
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.46		$	(0.71	)
Discontinued operations		-			-			(0.03	)		-
Diluted earnings per common share	$	0.22		$	0.17		$	0.43		$	(0.71	)

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Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]

(11) 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 our results of operations and cash flows in future periods.

The Company is subject to unclaimed or abandoned property (escheat) laws which require the Company to turn over to certain state governmental authorities the property of others held by the Company that has been unclaimed for specified periods of time. The Company is subject to audit by individual U.S. states with regard to its escheatment practices. During fiscal year 2012, the Company agreed to pay $2.5 million to settle certain liabilities pertaining to unclaimed property returns which had not been filed timely, which was paid during the first quarter of fiscal year 2013. The settlement liability was previously accrued for and did not affect the fiscal year 2012 or fiscal year 2013 income statements. During fiscal year 2013, management expects to enter into settlement discussions with other states in an effort to settle liabilities pertaining to unclaimed property returns which have not been filed timely. Management does not expect the settlement of these liabilities to have a material adverse effect on the financial position, results of operations or liquidity of the Company.

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.

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Note 10 - Earnings Per Share (Details) - Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Computation of Basic and Diluted Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Income from continuing operations	$ 7,863	$ 5,844	$ 16,619	$ 11,886
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	(96)	(12)	(1,192)	41	(96)	(12)
Net income	7,767	5,832	15,427	11,927
Preferred stock dividends	0	0	0	514
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value	0	0	0	73
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of preferred stock redeemed	0	0	0	35,776
Undistributed net income (loss)	7,767	5,832	15,427	(24,436)
Undistributed net income (loss) allocated to preferred shareholders	0	0	0	0
Net income (loss) available to common shareholders/Net income (loss) applicable to preferred and common shareholders	$ 7,767	$ 5,832	$ 15,427	$ (24,436)
Shares:
Weighted average number of common shares outstanding - basic (in Shares)	34,660,149	34,304,948	34,554,692	34,237,788
Dilutive shares (in Shares)	1,020,928	828,689	1,031,115	0
Dilutive convertible preferred stock (in Shares)	0	0	0	0
Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding - diluted (in Shares)	35,681,077	35,133,637	35,585,807	34,237,788
Diluted earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.17	$ 0.46	$ (0.71)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (0.03)	$ 0
Diluted earnings per common share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.17	$ 0.43	$ (0.71)
Basic earnings per common share:
Continuing operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.17	$ 0.48	$ (0.71)
Discontinued operations (in Dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ (0.03)	$ 0
Basic earnings per common share (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.22	$ 0.17	$ 0.45	$ (0.71)

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Note 3 - Long-Term Debt (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended			6 Months Ended				0 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Mar. 25, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Feb. 14, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013 Senior Credit Facility [Member]	Feb. 14, 2012 Maximum [Member]	Feb. 14, 2012 Minimum [Member]
Note 3 - Long-Term Debt (Details) [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Amount Outstanding (in Dollars)							$ 40,000,000
Long-term Debt, Weighted Average Interest Rate							3.09%
Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity (in Dollars)							55,900,000
Letters of Credit Outstanding, Amount (in Dollars)	4,100,000			4,100,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage							2.50%
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity (in Dollars)								100,000,000
Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate								2.75%	2.00%
Debt Instrument Basis Spread on Base Rate								1.75%	1.00%
Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio after Amendment						1.25
Maximum Leverage Ratio after Amendment						2.50
Debt Instrument Covenants on Cash Dividend Payments and Repurchases of Common or Preferred Stock (in Dollars)	1,400,000			1,400,000		100,000,000
Legal Fees (in Dollars)			100,000
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost (in Dollars)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 807,000	$ 0	$ 807,000

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Note 2 - Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	1 Months Ended	6 Months Ended			1 Months Ended
	Mar. 08, 2012	Dec. 25, 2011	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Feb. 28, 2010	Feb. 28, 2010 Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock [Member]
Note 2 - Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock (Details) [Line Items]
Preferred Stock Issued And Sold During Period (in Shares)						25,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock						$ 23,200,000
Equity Offering Costs						1,800,000
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference Per Share (in Dollars per share)					$ 1,000
Preferred Stock, Dividend Rate, Percentage	10.00%					10.00%
Preferred Stock, Liquidation Preference, Value		25,000,000
Number of Common Stock That Would Have Been Issued Had Preferred Stock Converted (in Shares)		8,620,690
Preferred Stock Conversion Date		Feb. 12, 2012
Closing Price as Percentage of Conversion Price		225.00%
Applicable Conversion Price for Period of Trading Days		20 days
Consecutive Trading Day Period		30 days
Preferred Stock Expected Redemption Date		Feb. 12, 2015
Preferred Stock Redeem Date Option for Holders		Feb. 12, 2017
Preferred Stock, Redemption Amount		25,000,000
Payments for Repurchase of Convertible Preferred Stock	60,200,000		0	59,740,000
Senior Credit Facility Used for Repurchase of Preferred Stock	100,000,000
Diluted Common Share Decreased Due to Repurchase of Preferred Stock (in Shares)	8,600,000
Dividend Amount Eliminated	2,500,000
Reduction in Net Income Due to Redemption of Preferred Stock	$ 35,800,000

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Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) - Reconciliation of the U.S. Statutory Rate to the Effective Rate	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Reconciliation of the U.S. Statutory Rate to the Effective Rate [Abstract]
Income tax expense at statutory rates	35.00%	35.00%
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
State income taxes, net of federal benefit	4.50%	4.50%
Employment tax credits	(10.40%)	(9.50%)
Prior year state credits	(2.60%)	0.00%
Other	1.40%	(0.50%)
Effective tax rate	27.90%	29.50%

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Note 6 - Franchise Income (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jan. 31, 2013
Franchise Income [Text Block]
Number of Franchise Restaurants	74
Number of Franchisee Owned International Restaurants	18
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period	2
Number of New Franchised Restaurants to be Opened		4

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Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details)	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Franchisee Owned International Restaurants	18
Number of Franchise Restaurants Opened During Period	2
Entity Operated Units [Member] | Ruth Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Restaurants	138
Entity Operated Units [Member] | Mitchell Fish Market [Member]
Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Fish Markets	19
Entity Operated Units [Member] | Cameron Steakhouse [Member]
Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items]
Number of Steak House Restaurants	3
Company Owned [Member] | Ruth Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items]
Restaurants Owned	63
Franchisee Owned [Member] | Ruth Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items]
Restaurants Owned	74
Management Agreement Operating Unit [Member] | Ruth Chris Steak House [Member]
Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation (Details) [Line Items]
Restaurants Owned	1

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Unaudited (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income	$ 15,427	$ 11,927
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	6,743	7,347
Deferred income taxes	3,575	2,658
Non-cash interest expense	210	258
Debt issuance costs written-off	0	807
Loss on the disposal of property and equipment, net	3	0
Amortization of below market lease	65	65
Stock-based compensation expense	1,362	1,048
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivables	2,357	4,292
Inventories	718	74
Prepaid expenses and other	(385)	(135)
Other assets	5	1
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	(9,094)	(4,411)
Deferred revenue	(10,783)	(7,521)
Deferred rent	(849)	83
Other liabilities	101	854
Net cash provided by operating activities	9,455	17,346
Cash flows from investing activities:
Acquisition of property and equipment	(5,737)	(4,653)
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment	1,104	0
Net cash used in investing activities	(4,633)	(4,653)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Principal borrowings on long-term debt	3,500	68,000
Principal repayments on long-term debt	(8,500)	(19,000)
Redemption of Series A 10% redeemable convertible preferred stock	0	(59,740)
Income tax benefits from the vesting of restricted stock	898	0
Proceeds from exercise of stock options	101	0
Tax payments pertaining to the vesting of restricted stock	(1,770)	0
Dividend payments	(1,430)	(1,103)
Deferred financing costs	0	(610)
Other	0	324
Net cash used in financing activities	(7,201)	(12,129)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	(2,379)	564
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	7,909	3,925
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	5,530	4,489
Cash paid during the period for:
Interest, net of capitalized interest	798	912
Income taxes	2,269	757
Noncash investing and financing activities:
Excess accrual-based acquisition of property and equipment	$ 1,840	$ (207)

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Note 1 - The Company and Basis of Presentation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block]

(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 June 30, 2013 and December 30, 2012 and for the fiscal quarters and twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012 have been prepared by the Company pursuant to the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC). The consolidated financial statements include the financial statements of Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. and its wholly owned subsidiaries. All significant inter-company balances and transactions have been eliminated in consolidation.

Ruth’s Hospitality Group, Inc. is a leading restaurant company focused on the upscale dining segment. The Company owns the Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Mitchell’s Fish Market, Columbus Fish Market, Mitchell’s Steakhouse and Cameron’s Steakhouse concepts.

As of June 30, 2013, there were 138 Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants, of which 63 were Company-owned, 74 were franchisee-owned, and one location was operating under a management agreement. The franchisee-owned restaurants include eighteen international restaurants in Aruba, Canada, China (Hong Kong), El Salvador, Japan, Mexico, Singapore, Taiwan, and the United Arab Emirates. A Ruth’s Chris Steak House located at Harrah’s Casino in Cherokee, NC operates under a management agreement between the Company and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. The management fee and our share of the income from the Cherokee, NC location are included in other operating income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss).

Two new Ruth’s Chris Steak House locations opened during the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013, including a second franchise restaurant located in San Juan in April 2013 and a franchise restaurant opened in early 2013 in Las Vegas under a licensing agreement with Harrah’s Casino. The fee from the licensing agreement is included in franchise income in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). Due to an expiring lease term, the Company closed its Ruth’s Chris Steak House location in Phoenix, AZ, on March 31, 2013. The Company-owned Ruth’s Chris Steak House location in Houston, TX was relocated in July 2013.

The Company also operates 19 Mitchell’s Fish Markets and three Cameron’s/Mitchell’s Steakhouse restaurants, located primarily in the Mid-west and Florida.

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 June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012 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 accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America have been condensed or omitted pursuant to the SEC’s rules and regulations. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 30, 2012.

The Company operates on a 52- or 53-week fiscal year ending on the last Sunday in December. The fiscal quarters ended June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012 each contained 13 weeks and are referred to herein as the second quarter of fiscal year 2013 and the second quarter of fiscal year 2012, respectively. Fiscal year 2013 is a 52-week year and fiscal year 2012 was a 53-week year.

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 U.S. generally accepted accounting principles. Significant items subject to such estimates and assumptions include the carrying amount of property and equipment, goodwill, franchise rights, trademarks and obligations related to workers’ compensation and medical insurance. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

Reclassifications

The operating results of a closed location (see Note 9) have been reclassified to the discontinued operations line of the condensed consolidated statements of income (loss). These reclassifications had no effect on previously reported net income.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements for Future Application

Accounting standards that have been issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) or other standard-setting bodies that do not require adoption until a future date are not expected to have a material impact on the consolidated financial statements upon adoption.

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Note 4 - Shareholders' Equity

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

(4) Shareholders’ Equity

On May 3, 2013, the Company announced that the Board of Directors approved a common stock repurchase program. Under the program the Company may from time to time purchase up to $30 million of its outstanding common stock. The share repurchases will be made at the Company’s discretion, within pricing parameters set by the Board of Directors, in the open market or in negotiated transactions depending on share price, market conditions or other factors. As of June 30, 2013, no shares have been repurchased under the common stock 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 2013:
May 3, 2013	$	0.04	May 16, 2013	$	1,430	May 30, 2013
July 24, 2013	$	0.04	August 15, 2013	$	1,424	August 29, 2013

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Note 2 - Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Preferred Stock [Text Block]

Preferred Stock [Text Block]

(2) Redeemable Convertible Preferred Stock

In February 2010, the Company issued and sold 25,000 shares of Preferred Stock to Bruckmann, Rosser, Sherrill & Co. Management, L.P. and affiliates (BRS) in a private placement transaction. The Company received proceeds of $23.2 million, net of approximately $1.8 million in closing and issuance costs. The Preferred Stock was classified as temporary shareholders’ equity since the shares had certain conditions that allowed the holder to redeem the Preferred Stock for cash, and for which redemption was not solely within the control of the Company.

Each share of the Preferred Stock had an initial liquidation preference of $1,000. The holders of the Preferred Stock were entitled to quarterly dividends accruing at a 10% annual rate. The Preferred Stock was also convertible, under certain circumstances, into the number of shares of the Company’s common stock equal to the quotient of the liquidation preference, including accrued dividends, divided by the conversion price. Using the liquidation preference of $25.0 million as of December 25, 2011, a conversion of Preferred Stock into the Company’s common stock would have resulted in the issuance of 8,620,690 additional common shares. The Preferred Stock was convertible at any time, at the option of the holders. The Company had the option to convert the Preferred Stock, in whole or in part, after February 12, 2012 if the closing price of the Company’s common stock equaled or exceeded 225% of the then applicable conversion price for a period of 20 trading days over any 30 consecutive trading day period. At the option of the Company, the Preferred Stock could have been redeemed on or after February 12, 2015 without regard to the Company’s stock price. At the option of the holders, the Preferred Stock could have been redeemed on or after February 12, 2017. The redemption price per share was to equal the liquidation preference, including any accrued dividends. In accordance with FASB Accounting Standards Codification (ASC) Topic 480-10-S99, the Company was accreting the carrying value of Preferred Stock to its redemption value of $25 million from the date of issuance to the earliest redemption date, February 12, 2015.

On March 8, 2012, the Company repurchased all of the outstanding Preferred Stock for $60.2 million. The purchase price, which includes payment of all accrued and unpaid dividends owed on the Preferred Stock, was funded using borrowings from the Company’s $100 million senior credit facility. After the repurchase and retirement of the Preferred Stock, the Company’s fully diluted common share base decreased by approximately 8.6 million shares and the 10% annual dividend on the preferred stock, which amounted to $2.5 million in fiscal year 2011, was eliminated. The Company recorded a reduction of net income applicable to shareholders of approximately $35.8 million in the first quarter of fiscal year 2012 to reflect the excess of the redemption value over the financial statement carrying value of the preferred shares redeemed. In connection with the repurchase of Preferred Stock, the BRS director designee resigned from his position as a member of the Company’s Board of Directors.

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Note 3 - Long-Term Debt (Details) - Summary of Long-Term Debt (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Senior Credit Facility:
Revolving credit facility	$ 40,000	$ 45,000
Less current maturities	0	0
	$ 40,000	$ 45,000

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Note 7 - Stock-Based Employee Compensation (Details) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	May 30, 2013 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Equity Incentive Plan [Member]	Jun. 30, 2013 Stock Option Plan [Member]
Note 7 - Stock-Based Employee Compensation (Details) [Line Items]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Additional Shares Authorized					2,000,000
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized					5,862,500
Share Based Compensation Arrangement by Share Based Payment Award Shares Issuable						1,378,775	9,527
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Number						686,143
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant						2,429,214
Share-based Compensation (in Dollars)	$ 700	$ 600	$ 1,362	$ 1,048

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Note 10 - Earnings Per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Earnings Per Share [Text Block]
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share, Amount	307,232	669,153	318,732	760,715
Weighted Average Exercise Prices Anti Dilutive Stock Options (in Dollars per share)	$ 18.66	$ 12.89	$ 18.34	$ 12.63
Antidilutive Securities Excluded From Computation Of Earnings Per Share Amount Upto On Conversion				8,620,690
Preferred Stock Shares to be Converted			25,000

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—Unaudited (Parentheticals) (USD $) In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Allowance for doubtful accounts (in Dollars)	$ 656	$ 378
Property and equipment, accumulated depreciation (in Dollars)	118,910	112,292
Other intangibles, accumulated amortization (in Dollars)	$ 2,596	$ 2,456
Common stock, par value (in Dollars per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized	100,000,000	100,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	34,920,369	34,434,858
Common stock, shares outstanding	34,920,369	34,434,858
Treasury stock, shares	71,950	71,950

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Note 7 - Stock-Based Employee Compensation

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

Compensation and Employee Benefit Plans [Text Block]

(7) Stock-Based Employee Compensation

At the Annual Meeting of Stockholders of the Company held on May 30, 2013, the stockholders of the Company approved the proposed amendment to the Company’s Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan to, among other things, increase the number of shares covered by the Plan by 2,000,000 shares to 5,862,500 shares, extend the Plan’s expiration date to May 30, 2018, and approve the material terms of performance goals under the Plan.

Under the 2000 Stock Option Plan, there were 9,527 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options at June 30, 2013 and no future grants are able to be made. Under the Amended and Restated 2005 Equity Incentive Plan, at June 30, 2013 there were 1,378,775 shares of common stock issuable upon exercise of currently outstanding options, 686,143 currently outstanding restricted stock awards and 2,429,214 shares available for future grants. Outstanding restricted stock is not included in common stock outstanding amounts. Total stock compensation expense recognized during the second quarters of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 was $0.7 million and $0.6 million, respectively. Total stock compensation expense recognized for the first twenty-six weeks of June 30, 2013 and June 24, 2012 was $1.4 million and $1.0 million, respectively.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity—Unaudited (USD $) In Thousands	Common Stock [Member] USD ($)	Additional Paid-in Capital [Member] USD ($)	Retained Earnings [Member] USD ($)	Treasury Stock [Member]	Total USD ($)
Balance at Dec. 25, 2011	$ 341	$ 200,524	$ (101,225)		$ 99,640
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 25, 2011	34,150			72
Net income			11,927		11,927
Preferred stock dividends			(514)		(514)
Accretion of preferred stock redemption value		(73)			(73)
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of Preferred Shares redeemed		(35,776)			(35,776)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan including tax effects	2	324			325
Shares issued under stock compensation plan including tax effects (in Shares)	223
Stock-based compensation		1,048			1,048
Balance at Jun. 24, 2012	343	166,047	(89,813)		76,577
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 24, 2012	34,373			72
Balance at Dec. 30, 2012	344	167,403	(85,359)		82,388
Balance (in Shares) at Dec. 30, 2012	34,434			72
Net income			15,427		15,427
Preferred stock dividends					0
Excess of redemption value over carrying value of Preferred Shares redeemed					0
Dividends		(1,430)			(1,430)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan including tax effects	5	(1,674)			(1,670)
Shares issued under stock compensation plan including tax effects (in Shares)	486
Excess tax benefit from stock based compensation		898			898
Stock-based compensation		1,362			1,362
Balance at Jun. 30, 2013	$ 349	$ 166,559	$ (69,933)		$ 96,975
Balance (in Shares) at Jun. 30, 2013	34,920			72

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Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets—Unaudited (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Jun. 30, 2013	Dec. 30, 2012
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 5,530	$ 7,909
Accounts receivable, less allowance for doubtful accounts 2013 - $656; 2012 - $378	8,938	11,295
Inventory	7,202	7,921
Assets held for sale	0	1,153
Prepaid expenses and other	2,248	1,863
Deferred income taxes	2,267	1,855
Total current assets	26,185	31,996
Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation 2013 - $118,910; 2012 - $112,292	90,936	89,979
Goodwill	22,097	22,097
Franchise rights	32,200	32,200
Trademarks	10,676	10,676
Other intangibles, net of accumulated amortization 2013 - $2,596; 2012 - $2,456	5,891	6,031
Deferred income taxes	31,485	35,472
Other assets	2,690	2,906
Total assets	222,160	231,357
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	9,527	13,126
Accrued payroll	12,694	16,023
Accrued expenses	8,384	7,097
Deferred revenue	20,430	31,214
Other current liabilities	5,865	7,189
Total current liabilities	56,900	74,649
Long-term debt	40,000	45,000
Deferred rent	23,509	24,358
Other liabilities	4,776	4,962
Total liabilities	125,185	148,969
Commitments and contingencies (Note 11)	0	0
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, par value $.01 per share; 100,000,000 shares authorized, 34,920,369 shares issued and outstanding at June 30, 2013 34,434,858 shares issued and outstanding at December 30, 2012	349	344
Additional paid-in capital	166,559	167,403
Accumulated deficit	(69,933)	(85,359)
Treasury stock, at cost; 71,950 shares at June 30, 2013 and December 30, 2012	0	0
Total shareholders' equity	96,975	82,388
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 222,160	$ 231,357

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Note 4 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended	6 Months Ended
	May 03, 2013	Jun. 30, 2013
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]
Stock Repurchase Program, Remaining Authorized Repurchase Amount	$ 30,000,000
Stock Repurchased and Retired During Period, Value		$ 0

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Note 9 - Discontinued Operations (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]

Schedule of Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures [Table Text Block]

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Revenues	$	-		$	602		$	808		$	1,339
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(152	)	$	(26	)	$	(1,947	)	$	37
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(96	)	$	(12	)	$	(1,192	)	$	41

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Note 11 - Commitments and Contingencies (Details) (USD $)	0 Months Ended
	Dec. 26, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block]
Accrued Income Taxes		$ 0
Litigation Settlement, Amount	$ 2,500,000

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Note 9 - Discontinued Operations (Details) (USD $)	6 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Dec. 30, 2012
Note 9 - Discontinued Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Lease Commitments	$ 600,000		$ 600,000
Date of Sublease Agreement	April 2011
Contingent Lease Liability	2,000,000		2,000,000		800,000
Writeoff Of Contra Liability	1,400,000		1,400,000
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	(1,947,000)	37,000	(152,000)	(26,000)
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	8,938,000		8,938,000		11,295,000
Past Due Rent And Utilities [Member]
Note 9 - Discontinued Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Accounts Receivable, Net, Current	570,000		570,000
Manhattan [Member]
Note 9 - Discontinued Operations (Details) [Line Items]
Discontinued Operation, Gain (Loss) from Disposal of Discontinued Operation, before Income Tax	$ (1,800,000)

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Note 9 - Discontinued Operations (Details) - Summary of Discontinued Operations (USD $) In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended		15 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Summary of Discontinued Operations [Abstract]
Revenues			$ 808	$ 1,339		$ 602
Income (loss) before income taxes			(1,947)	37	(152)	(26)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$ (96)	$ (12)	$ (1,192)	$ 41	$ (96)	$ (12)

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Note 6 - Franchise Income

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Franchise Income [Text Block]

Franchise Income [Text Block]

(6) Franchise Income

There are 74 Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchise locations, including 18 international locations. During the twenty-six weeks ended June 30, 2013, two new Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchise locations opened, including a second franchise restaurant located in San Juan in April 2013 and a location in Las Vegas, NV operating under a license agreement with the Company. In January 2013, the Company signed an agreement with the Ko Group for the development of four new franchised Ruth’s Chris Steak House restaurants to be opened in the People’s Republic of China over the next three years. Franchise income includes opening and development fees and income generated from existing franchise locations.

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Note 4 - Shareholders' Equity (Details) - Dividends Declared by Board of Directors (USD $) In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013
May 3 2013 Declaration Date [Member]
Fiscal Year 2013:
Dividend per share	$ 0.04
Record Date	May 16, 2013
Total Amount (in Dollars)	$ 1,430
Payment Date	May 30, 2013
July 24 2013 Declaration Date [Member]
Fiscal Year 2013:
Dividend per share	$ 0.04
Record Date	Aug. 15, 2013
Total Amount (in Dollars)	$ 1,424
Payment Date	Aug. 29, 2013

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Note 9 - Discontinued Operations

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]

Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations, Disclosure [Text Block]

(9) Discontinued Operations

The Company accounts for its closed restaurants in accordance with the provisions of “Property, Plant and Equipment—Impairment or Disposal of Long-Lived Assets,” FASB ASC Topic 360-10. Therefore, when a restaurant is closed, and the restaurant is either held for sale or abandoned, the restaurant’s operations are eliminated from the ongoing operations. Accordingly, the operations of such restaurants, net of applicable income taxes, are presented as discontinued operations and prior period operations of such restaurants, net of applicable income taxes, are reclassified.

Discontinued operations consist of the following (in thousands):

	13 Weeks Ended						26 Weeks Ended
	June 30,			June 24,			June 30,			June 24,
	2013			2012			2013			2012
Revenues	$	-		$	602		$	808		$	1,339
Income (loss) before income taxes	$	(152	)	$	(26	)	$	(1,947	)	$	37
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of income taxes	$	(96	)	$	(12	)	$	(1,192	)	$	41

In March 2013, the Company closed the Ruth’s Chris Steak House located in Phoenix, AZ after twenty-seven years of operation. As the closing of this restaurant coincided with the termination of the lease agreement, the Company did not incur significant expenses related to closing this location. The results of operations with respect to this location for all periods prior to closing have been reclassified and are now included in discontinued operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income (loss).

The Company accounts for the exit costs in accordance with the provisions of “Exit or Disposal Cost Obligations,” FASB ASC Topic 420, which requires that such costs be expensed in the periods when such costs are incurred. All of the losses incurred are included in discontinued operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of income (loss). In August 2005, the Company ceased operations at its location near the United Nations in Manhattan. The Company has remaining lease commitments of $0.6 million per fiscal year through September 2016. The Company entered into a sublease agreement in April 2011 in order to recover some of the amounts due under the remaining lease term. As of December 30, 2012, the Company had recorded a contingent lease liability of $0.8 million related to this property which was net of a contra-liability for the present value of anticipated sublease income. In March 2013, the subtenant vacated the property. The Company has commenced legal proceedings to recover all amounts due. Loss from discontinued operations for the first twenty-six weeks of 2013 includes the impact of a remeasurement of our lease exit costs. The remeasurement included (a) the write-off of the $1.4 million contra liability and (b) the write-off of past due rent and utility amounts owed by the subtenant. The loss before income taxes on discontinued operations for the first twenty-six weeks of 2013 includes $1.8 million from the location near the United Nations in Manhattan. As of June 30, 2013, the contingent lease liability was $2.0 million and the subtenant owed the Company $570 thousand for past due rent and utilities.

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Note 5 - Fair Value Measurements

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Fair Value, Measurement Inputs, Disclosure [Text Block]

(5) 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 June 30, 2013 have variable interest rates that reflect currently available terms and conditions for similar debt. The carrying amount of this debt is a reasonable estimate of its fair value (Level 2).

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company had no assets or liabilities measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements of “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” FASB ASC Topic 820.

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Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows—Unaudited (Parentheticals)	Jun. 30, 2013
Series A 10% redeemable convertible preferred stock	10.00%

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Note 8 - Income Taxes (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012	Jun. 30, 2013	Jun. 24, 2012
Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]
Effective Income Tax Rate Continuing Operations and Discontinued Operations	24.80%	29.10%	26.90%	29.40%
Income Tax Credits and Adjustments (in Dollars)	$ 1,000,000
Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation, Tax Credit, Amount (in Dollars)	$ 600,000

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Accounting Policies, by Policy (Policies)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Accounting Policies [Abstract]

Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]

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 June 30, 2013 have variable interest rates that reflect currently available terms and conditions for similar debt. The carrying amount of this debt is a reasonable estimate of its fair value (Level 2).

During the second quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company had no assets or liabilities measured on a recurring or nonrecurring basis subject to the disclosure requirements of “Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures,” FASB ASC Topic 820.

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Note 8 - Income Taxes

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

(8) Income Taxes

A reconciliation of the U.S. statutory rate to the effective rate applicable to continuing operations for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal years 2013 and 2012 follows:

		26 Weeks Ended
		June 30,			June 24,
		2013			2012
Income tax expense at statutory rates			35.0	%		35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		4.5	%		4.5	%
	Employment tax credits		-10.4	%		-9.5	%
	Prior year state credits		-2.6	%		0.0	%
	Other		1.4	%		-0.5	%
Effective tax rate			27.9	%		29.5	%

Income tax expense (benefit) is allocated to discontinued operations based on the marginal tax impact of discontinued operations. The Company’s effective tax rate for combined income from continuing operations and discontinued operations was 24.8% and 29.1% for the second quarters of fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. The Company’s effective tax rate for combined income from continuing operations and discontinued operations was 26.9% and 29.4% for the first twenty-six weeks of fiscal years 2013 and 2012, respectively. During the second fiscal quarter of fiscal year 2013, the Company recognized a state income tax benefit for employment related tax credits aggregating $1.0 million based on qualified employee wages during the years 2006 through 2012. These prior year state tax credits resulted in a discrete $600 thousand reduction (net of federal and state tax consequences) in income tax expense. Approximately half of the benefit will be realized on a carryback basis by amending prior year state income tax returns and management expects that the remainder of the benefit will be realized on a carryforward basis. Pursuant to state legislation enacted in July 2013, restaurant companies will not be able to claim credits for employees hired after January 1, 2014 and the carryforward period for existing credits is limited to ten years.

The Company files consolidated and separate income tax returns in the United States Federal jurisdiction and many state jurisdictions. With few exceptions, the Company is no longer subject to U.S. Federal income or state tax examinations for years before 2009.

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Note 8 - Income Taxes (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block]

Schedule of Effective Income Tax Rate Reconciliation [Table Text Block]

		26 Weeks Ended
		June 30,			June 24,
		2013			2012
Income tax expense at statutory rates			35.0	%		35.0	%
Increase (decrease) in income taxes resulting from:
	State income taxes, net of federal benefit		4.5	%		4.5	%
	Employment tax credits		-10.4	%		-9.5	%
	Prior year state credits		-2.6	%		0.0	%
	Other		1.4	%		-0.5	%
Effective tax rate			27.9	%		29.5	%

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Note 3 - Long-Term Debt (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Disclosure Text Block [Abstract]

Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block]

	June 30,		December 30,
	2013		2012
Senior Credit Facility:
Revolving credit facility	$	40,000	$	45,000
Less current maturities		-		-
	$	40,000	$	45,000

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Document And Entity Information	6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2013	Aug. 02, 2013 Unvested Restricted Stock [Member]	Aug. 02, 2013 Common Stock [Member]
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	Ruths Hospitality Group, Inc.
Document Type	10-Q
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-29
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		625,948	35,661,252
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Central Index Key	0001324272
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Voluntary Filers	No
Entity Filer Category	Accelerated Filer
Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer	No
Document Period End Date	Jun. 30, 2013
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2013
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q2

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Note 4 - Shareholders' Equity (Tables)

6 Months Ended

Jun. 30, 2013

Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]

Schedule of Dividends Payable [Table Text Block]

Declaration Date	Dividend per Share		Record Date	Total Amount		Payment Date
Fiscal Year 2013:
May 3, 2013	$	0.04	May 16, 2013	$	1,430	May 30, 2013
July 24, 2013	$	0.04	August 15, 2013	$	1,424	August 29, 2013