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.

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Sincerely,

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Shawn Lederman 

CEO