Marlin & Ray's Closes its Doors
The Bensalem chain restaurant closed as a result of Ruby Tuesday, Inc.'s decision to make Ruby Tuesday restaurants the "most critical priority" going forward.
The Marlin & Ray's chain, including its Bensalem location, has closed its doors as of Wednesday, Jan. 10, so the company can focus more on its Ruby Tuesday brand, according to a Ruby Tuesday, Inc. earnings call.
JJ Buettgen, the president and CEO of Ruby Tuesday Inc. reported a net loss of $15.1 million for the fiscal second quarter, which ended Dec. 4, 2012, and announced the plan to exit Marlin & Ray's, as well as Truffles Grill and Wok Hay concepts. The decision was made so that the company can focus on Ruby Tuesday's sales growth.
"Based on a significant amount of discussion and analysis, and a clear understanding that driving profitable same-restaurant sales at Ruby Tuesday is our first and most critical priority, we have decided to close our 13 Marlin & Ray’s restaurants immediately," said JJ Buettgen, Ruby Tuesday Inc.'s President and CEO.
"While this was a difficult decision to make, we have determined the Marlin & Ray’s brand is not an optimal conversion vehicle for us going forward."
Buettgen went on to say that the company appreciates the passion and commitment of the team members of the closed restaurants.
To show its appreciation, the Communications Manager for Ruby Tuesday, Inc. told Bensalem Patch that the company is trying to find other positions for team members of the closed restaurants.
"We are currently working to ensure that team members affected by these closings are given opportunities at Ruby Tuesday or Lime Fresh restaurants," said Meridith Hammond, the Communications Manager for Ruby Tuesday, Inc.
The Bensalem location of the sea-food centric Marlin & Ray's opened on May 16, 2012 across from Neshaminy Mall. The building was formerly the home to a Ruby Tuesday, before it closed for business on March 18, to make the transition to Marlin & Ray's.
Though Marlin & Ray's will no longer be open, Hammond explained that if people have unused gift cards to the restaurant, they can be redeemed at any Ruby Tuesday location.
Frank Marsh
8:51 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
You really need to get a proof reader
Dave Fiedler
9:51 am on Friday, January 11, 2013
I had patronized that location a number of times as a Ruby Tuesday but never made it to Marlin & Ray's. Intended to give it a try but best laid plans as they say. I don't imagine they'll convert it back to a Ruby Tuesday, so it will likely be posted for sale and sit vacant at least for a while. Good location traffic-wise, but people not familiar with the area that are driving west don't see it until having driven by the entrance.
Robert E.
12:08 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
The food was lousy. The menu was largely comprised of fried fish, with only a small section for fresh or broiled fish. Even the biscuits were an odd choice; the had jalapeno pepers in them, which is fine if you like peppers. If not, you had no bread choice. I liked them, but my kids were screwed with no bread. They won't be missed.
Kevin Brutschea
3:04 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I agree with you Robert, even though I never actually ate there, I downloaded the menu. It was very "Southern fare" in it's offerings. There are too many good seafood places in the area to compromise what we like just to "try" what they had. I knew they wouldn't last long.
tom
3:37 pm on Friday, January 11, 2013
Damn union wait staff ruined another company, oh wait they were non union and got paid less than minimum wage. Must have been poor management.
tony grace
12:53 am on Saturday, January 12, 2013
I just bought a gift cert there for my parents last week. Thats not right obviously they new and still sold me the card
Jesseka Kadylak
3:08 pm on Thursday, January 17, 2013
I don't know how much the employees that actually worked at the restaurant knew... The higher ups had the meeting and then closed the doors of restaurants immediately after. So I'm not sure there was much warning. At any rate—the gift card can be used at any Ruby Tuesday location, so at least you aren't losing your money.