Ruby Tuesday Wins Top Honor in the 2010 Cheers Beverage Excellence Awards

By: Ruby Tuesday | 3 Shares 104 Reads

Best Chain Overall Beverage Program to be Awarded at Cheers Conference in Miami

MARYVILLE, Tenn. (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Ruby Tuesday has been recognized by Cheers magazine for something its customers have known for a while: it has the best overall beverage program.

Cheers, the leading beverage publication devoted to full-service restaurants, bars, and hotels, is awarding Ruby Tuesday its top honor for "Best Chain Overall Beverage Program." "We are honored that Ruby Tuesday has been recognized by Cheers as the best overall among chain operators across the nation, and are proud of our team's never-ending commitment to quality, freshness, variety, and value," says Andy Scoggins, Vice President of Culinary and Beverage for Ruby Tuesday, Inc.

The Cheers industry award program is open to all full-service chain restaurants nationwide, and beverage programs are evaluated based on creativity, originality, staff training, and overall impact on profitability. Scoggins adds, "Ruby Tuesday is dedicated to serving premium, high-quality beverages made with the freshest ingredients and providing them to our guests at a compelling value."

At a time when most companies are cutting corners, Ruby Tuesday has made it a priority to enhance the quality of its drinks by using fresh ingredients, all-natural fruit juices, and premium brands such as Bacardi and Beefeater for well liquors. "And that's not even the best part," says Scoggins. "Recent upgrades to quality were made without reducing portions or raising prices. For example, we are proud to offer a variety of specialty, hard-to-find craft beers that are not common in other casual dining restaurants and feature a true 16-ounce pint glass, not a smaller look-alike version."

Ruby Tuesday revolutionized bar business last month by actually reducing the price of many premium cocktails with the introduction of the 'all day, every day, $5 premium cocktail' program. There are hundreds of cocktails from which to choose, from premium well and specialty cocktails to signature sangrias, all for only $5.00.

Ruby Tuesday's award-winning beverage program compliments the company's marketing approach and in-restaurant promotions which include happy hour specials at the bar, seasonal and limited-time menu offerings, in addition to a new weekend brunch program. Moreover, all beverage upgrades have been supported with an aggressive retraining program for every bartender in the company. Program enhancements have resulted in an overall increase in sales of beer, wine, spirits and alcohol-free drinks. Ruby Tuesday will accept the award at the 2010 Cheers Beverage Excellence Awards Conference to be held January 25-26 in Miami, Florida.

About Ruby Tuesday

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. has company-owned and/or franchise Ruby Tuesday brand restaurants in 46 states, the District of Columbia, Guam, and 13 foreign countries. As of September 1, 2009, the company owned and operated 670 Ruby Tuesday restaurants, while domestic and international franchisees (including Hawaii) operated 171 and 55 restaurants, respectively.

Ruby Tuesday, Inc. is traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: RT).

SOURCE: Ruby Tuesday, Inc.

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