Embassy to house Ruth's Chris

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

By MARIAN ACCARDIand WAYNE SMITH

Times Business Staff

Steak franchise aims to offer city 'superior dining'

Wanda Gaddis says she's been getting calls almost every day asking about the new restaurant that's coming to town along with Embassy Suites.

Now it's official: Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc. is opening a new restaurant in downtown Huntsville in the lobby of the 295-room Embassy Suites hotel now under construction.

Both the restaurant and the 10-story hotel are scheduled to open late this fall.

"We're very excited to be partnering with them," said Gaddis, the director of sales for Embassy Suites.

"They've wanted to come into the Huntsville market and we wanted to bring in a first-class restaurant along with the hotel. It's a good partnership for both of us."

The 10,000-square-foot steakhouse will be operated by Ruth's Chris franchisees Phil Brooks, Jim Brooks and Nancy and Mark Oswald. The Brooks-Oswald franchise now owns and operates three Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurants in Atlanta and one in Birmingham.

"We look forward to working together with the Embassy Suites to provide a superior dining experience for both Huntsville residents and visitors," said managing partner Mark Oswald in a press release. Two of the franchise group's existing restaurants are located in hotels, "a synergy that has been successful and welcomed," Oswald said.

The restaurant will include patio dining overlooking Big Spring International Park. Ruth's Chris will also provide food service for the hotel's banquet facilities, which include a 4,800-square-foot ballroom and three private board rooms on the second floor of the 10-story atrium Embassy Suites.

Ruth's Chris, which was founded in New Orleans more than 40 years ago, has 93 locations worldwide, both franchised restaurants and company-owned restaurants. Its only other Alabama location is in Birmingham.

The Embassy Suites hotel will be operated by John Q. Hammons Hotels Development LLC. Construction on the $40 million hotel started in December 2004.



Embassy to house Ruth's Chris Tuesday, June 13, 2006 By MARIAN ACCARDIand WAYNE SMITH Times Business Staff Steak franchise aims to offer city 'superior dining' Wanda Gaddis says she's been getting calls almost every day asking about the new restaurant that's coming to town along with Embassy Suites. Now it's official: Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc. is opening a new restaurant in downtown Huntsville in the lobby of the 295-room Embassy Suites hotel now under construction. Both the restaurant and the 10-story hotel are scheduled to open late this fall. "We're very excited to be partnering with them," said Gaddis, the director of sales for Embassy Suites. "They've wanted to come into the Huntsville market and we wanted to bring in a first-class restaurant along with the hotel. It's a good partnership for both of us." The 10,000-square-foot steakhouse will be operated by Ruth's Chris franchisees Phil Brooks, Jim Brooks and Nancy and Mark Oswald. The Brooks-Oswald franchise now owns and operates three Ruth's Chris Steak House restaurants in Atlanta and one in Birmingham. "We look forward to working together with the Embassy Suites to provide a superior dining experience for both Huntsville residents and visitors," said managing partner Mark Oswald in a press release. Two of the franchise group's existing restaurants are located in hotels, "a synergy that has been successful and welcomed," Oswald said. The restaurant will include patio dining overlooking Big Spring International Park. Ruth's Chris will also provide food service for the hotel's banquet facilities, which include a 4,800-square-foot ballroom and three private board rooms on the second floor of the 10-story atrium Embassy Suites. Ruth's Chris, which was founded in New Orleans more than 40 years ago, has 93 locations worldwide, both franchised restaurants and company-owned restaurants. Its only other Alabama location is in Birmingham. The Embassy Suites hotel will be operated by John Q. Hammons Hotels Development LLC. Construction on the $40 million hotel started in December 2004. © 2006 The Huntsville Times © 2006 al.com All Rights Reserved.