Ruth's Chris Steak House Announces Asheville Plans

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by Christine Sykes Lowe
on Monday, January 24, 2011

Opening Fall 2011 Biltmore Village

Ruth's Chris Steak House has announced plans for an Asheville location, opening Fall 2011 in Biltmore Village. The official groundbreaking will take place on February 3rd, marking a two-year effort to bring the internationally renowned brand to the Western North Carolina market.

Asheville Prime LLC, the ownership group, consists of local developer and entrepreneur John Bell, CEO of The Columbus Group, Inc., and Ruth's Chris franchisee Paula Conway. Paula and her husband Jeff, former CFO of Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc., formed Charlotte Prime LLC in 2005 when offered the rare opportunity to become franchise owners. Since then, they have opened three restaurants, two in Charlotte, NC and one in historic Savannah, GA.

The restaurant, which will be located at 26 All Souls Crescent, has building plans that are harmonious with the architecture to the surrounding Biltmore Village area. Bell's father, Bill Bell, is known as a pioneer in the revitalization of Biltmore Village, and Bell recognizes this importance. "Biltmore Village is a special place, one where we plan to keep the integrity of the historical architectural surroundings very much alive and intact," says Bell.

The Columbus Group's subsidiary, Biltmore Property Group, LLC, is managing the development of the restaurant and local company, Beverly-Grant Inc., will be the contractor. Building plans designed by CJMW Architecture of Asheville.

With seating for over 200, there are plans to employ approximately 70 people as well as philanthropically give back to the Asheville community. "Jeff and I are committed to Asheville and have plans to be actively involved.", says franchisee Paula Conway. "We strongly recognize the importance of local partnerships. That's why we are excited to have The Columbus Group as our developer and partner. We have entered into a long-term, 30-year lease arrangement, one that we are eager to get underway."

About Ruth's Chris Steak House

Ruth's Chris Steak House is a part of Ruth's Hospitality Group Inc. Founded in New Orleans by Ruth Fertel in 1965, Ruth's Chris specializes in USDA Prime grade steaks served in Ruth's Chris signature fashion "sizzling." To experience fine dining at its prime just follow the sizzle to Ruth's Chris Steak House. For additional information, please visit www.RuthsChris.com.

About The Columbus Group, Inc.

The Columbus Group, Inc. (CGI) was formed in 1996 to leverage the unique heritage, expertise and holdings of the Bell Family as well as partners, John A. Batt, Jr. (Jay) and Fenn French. CGI's business interests are primarily in retail, real estate development and financial institutions. In retail, CGI and its affiliates are Jos. A. Bank Clothier's largest franchisee, with twelve stores located throughout the south.

About Charlotte Prime, LLC

Charlotte Prime was formed by Paula and Jeff Conway when they received the opportunity to become franchise owners. With assistance from partners David Halpern and Gary Solomon, Charlotte Prime opened their initial Ruth's Chris Steak House in Charlotte's SouthPark area in 2005. The group now owns and operates three Ruth's Chris Steak Houses; two in Charlotte, with the second opening having occurred in Uptown in March 2007, and the third, which opened in Savannah, GA in November 2008.

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