How Much Does a Ruth's Chris Steak House Franchise Cost?
Data from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document
Investment Summary
Total Investment
$2.5M – $6.4M
Franchise Fee
$100K
Royalty
5.0%
Ad Fund
1.0%
Cost Breakdown
Initial Franchise Fee
The initial franchise fee for Ruth's Chris Steak House is $100K. This one-time payment covers the right to operate under the brand, access to proprietary systems, and initial training programs.
Total Investment Range
Opening a Ruth's Chris Steak House franchise requires a total investment of $2.5M – $6.4M. This range typically includes real estate or leasehold improvements, equipment and fixtures, initial inventory, signage, insurance, and working capital to sustain operations during the ramp-up period.
Working capital alone ranges from $150K to $350K.
Ongoing Costs
Beyond the initial investment, Ruth's Chris Steak House franchisees pay ongoing fees. The royalty fee is 5.0% of gross sales (Net Sales). The advertising or brand fund contribution is 1.0% of gross sales. There is also a technology fee of $0.
Net Worth & Liquid Capital Requirements
Ruth's Chris Steak House requires working capital of $150K – $350K to cover initial operating expenses. This is the liquid cash you should have available beyond the franchise fee and buildout costs.
What Can You Earn?
Ruth's Chris Steak House does not disclose earnings data in Item 19 of its Franchise Disclosure Document. Not all franchisors choose to publish financial performance representations, though this is a data point many prospective franchisees consider important.
How Do Banks View Ruth's Chris Steak House?
SBA Loans Issued
2
Default Rate
0.0%
The SBA (Small Business Administration) tracks loan performance for franchise brands. Ruth's Chris Steak House has 2 SBA-backed loans on record. The default rate is 0.0%, which is below the franchise industry average, indicating relatively lower lending risk. A lower default rate generally indicates that lenders view the franchise as a safer investment, though past performance does not guarantee future results.
Next Steps
Talk to current Ruth's Chris Steak House franchise owners
Get verified franchisee phone numbers for due diligence
See full Ruth's Chris Steak House research
Risk analysis, unit growth, contract terms, and more
Compare Ruth's Chris Steak House to similar franchises
Side-by-side investment, revenue, and risk comparison