Toms River: If you notice the amount of restaurants closing locations recently has been plenty- you’d be correct. It sadly seems that unless Covid or Covid restrictions ease up soon, even more restaurants and business will close soon. Last week it was Charlie Browns, and now it’s the final two Ruby Tuesday locations in our area. Ruby Tuesday recently closed a bunch of locations in NJ, specifically Freehold Raceway Mall and Lakewood. Toms River and Monmouth Mall were the last holdouts for the chain, but now indeed it’s Goodbye Ruby Tuesday.
The printed signs greeted patrons on the doors of Toms River near the Marquee Theater informing them the restaurant was closed. Ruby Tuesday has been struggling in recent years as the sit-down casual chain restaurant segment has been hit hard. Consumers are changing their eating patterns, and salad bar restaurants are going to be a tough sell during and after Covid. As of now the Ruby Tuesday website yields no open restaurants in New Jersey, or even within 60 miles of Toms River. It appears the onset of struggling sales and Covid restrictions just broke this camel’s back.
In a statement provided to the media on behalf of Ruby Tuesday corporation- Ruby Tuesday Chief Marketing Officer Jenifer Boyd Harmon offered this canned response. She said in a prepared statement that, “after careful consideration, we decided to close the Toms River, New Jersey location in an effort to better position our restaurants for future business.” Harmon added, “we value the dedication and hard work of all our employees and we greatly appreciate the community that has supported us.”
In a statement on the Ruby Tuesday website regarding restructuring dated October 7, 2020- the CEO said this:
To Our Loyal Ruby Tuesday Employees, Guests and Vendor Partners,
Today, we announced that Ruby Tuesday filed a voluntary petition for reorganization under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code. Prior to its filing, the Company reached an understanding with its secured lenders to support its restructuring through financing and an agreement regarding the terms of a plan that will provide a sustainable path forward for the restaurant chain.
We plan to use this filing to strengthen our business by reducing liabilities and reposition the Company to emerge a stronger organization built for the future. We intend to move through the process as quickly as possible.
A few important points I would like you to know:
- Ruby Tuesday is open for business as usual. This includes Dining Rooms, Ruby TueGo, Curbside, Catering and Delivery. We will continue to operate with our same standards of excellence.
- Your Ruby Tuesday gift cards and So Connected Rewards will continue to be valid and retain their value.
This announcement does not mean ‘Goodbye, Ruby Tuesday’ but ‘Hello, to a stronger Ruby Tuesday’. We very much appreciate your continued support and love for Ruby Tuesday since 1972. We enjoy serving you every day and look forward to seeing you soon.
Sincerely,
Shawn Lederman
CEO
Charlie Browns closed? That stinks!!
Great job governor
Thank MURDERING MURPHY who killed Nana and G-pa then NJ business.
Thank the democrats who destroyed our state BEFORE the china bio attack.
Why won’t the rats attack and speak against china for the virus?
Co- conspirators.
Any large-scale corporation will simply choose not to do business in NJ due to death by taxes, over-regulation, and toxic anti-business climate. It’s been happening for years and Phil keeps pouring gas on that fire. It’s more sad for the small business owners who can’t just concentrate their operations in more conservatively run states.
They were struggling, but Gov. Kevorkian is making it so that these businesses can’t keep their heads above water. As far as I’m concerned, this is yet another business that is lost because of his worthless ass. Well, I didn’t vote for the POS, and shame on all of the geniuses who did.
Emily Brennan
Heather Thomson come onnnnn man wtf!!!!
Emily Brennan better get to Friendly’s before they’re next
Heather Thomson seriously I’m gonna have to go this week
Emily Brennan
Friendly’s is on advanced life support- better enjoy a Fribble before she’s gone for good too! ????
Ocean County Scanner News she’s due in like 10 days, hopefully she can make it ????
Ocean County Scanner News whos in charge of pulling the plug on my Friendly’s? I’d like to have a word with them
Ocean County Scanner News also, I’m upset I lost my top fan status, who do I complain to?
Heather Thomson
The complaint thread is buried in the mystery dog story that may or may not bite one day. Look for the complaint phone number somewhere between the burning pitchforks and empty threats of calling any organization who may listen about about Facebook.
Emily Brennan
Down to 130 stores with a bankruptcy filing last month. Enjoy her while you still can.
https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/11/03/friendlys-files-for-bankruptcy-and-will-be-sold-fo/
As long as they sell their Peanut Butter Cup ice cream at Shop Rite, I’m good!!!! ????????????
Ellen Jeyschune Turkey Hill Chocolate Peanut Butter Cup rocks !
Angel Cruz omggg
Kaitlin Kerico nooo
If your restaurant was struggling before the pandemic, there is a good chance it will not make it. Charlie Brown’s and Ruby Tuesday’s were franchises whose days came and went. Same with Perkins – a 1980’s-style franchise that didn’t keep up with the times. Parking lots were empty more often than not. Same thing with individual restaurants; Social 37 wasn’t that great, and lost a lot of business being next door to Buffalo Wild Wings. The White Rooster on Fischer Blvd had it’s own problems long before this all started. On the other hand, Burger 25 not only managed to stay afloat but moved into the old Wolfie’s and is making money hand over fist. Not to mention the microbreweries downtown that were popular all summer.
I’m not a fan but stop blaming Murphy. The shutdowns were necessary to curtail this virus. I know people who were horribly sick and at least one who died. If a restaurant has the regular clientele and the kind of menu it needs to survive, it will.
True, The White Rooster on Fisher was an absolute train wreck. I gave it a few ties but they were always poorly managed.
Ellen Jeyschune wrong on the shutdowns…especially during summer
Im sorry that ruby was the worse and the staff was notting out on drugs it was to disgusting for me
Ashley Samson ????
Haze Joy I know!! ???? Gone are the days of rushing to work on a Sunday after practice lol
As soon as they big wig franchises started verifying social security numbers it all went downhill hiring unqualified employees and management
Shitty food
Goodbye Ruby Tuesday
More unemployment and more vacant building and blight in the towns…very sad!!
Good riddance
Sorry but when I went there food and service was terrible