Ruby Tuesday set to open May 15

by Casey Clapper
Staff Writer

How many cheese sticks are in a full order?
Eight.
This is one sample question for employees of Ruby Tuesday, 951 E. State St., who are preparing for the restaurant’s opening May 15.

Employees started training in one of two shifts, 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. or 6 p.m. to 10 p.m., last Sunday. They train until May 13, said Angie Kenisell, manager of Ruby Tuesday.

Management hired 148 employees who applied both at the restaurant or online, said Dave Springer, Ruby Tuesday managing partner.

They are waiting a few weeks before hiring more employees, Kenisell said.

Ruby Tuesday uses a training technique called team one. With this, employees in the front of the restaurant are cross-trained so they can perform at least two functions, such as waiter, busser or hostess. This way, they can on a regular schedule, said Bart Vig, director of operations for Ruby Tuesday.

“It’s a great benefit to teamwork and overall improvement and service,” he said. “We’re in the process of rolling it out company-wide. There are 25 (restaurants) on the program now. Athens will be one of the first to use it.”

Jen Ihrig, an Ohio University junior, is training at the restaurant, a part of the new development on East State Street.

“It’s very in-depth,” she said. “It’s two weeks, four hours every day. We’re tested every day on different sections of the menu, such as appetizers or burgers. The managers are very cool. They’re trying to get us motivated, get us to know each other.”

The restaurant’s opening was delayed from April 4 to May 15 because of a parking dispute between Ruby Tuesday and Continental Properties, Springer said.

“At this point in time, we’re at least moving forward on the parking dispute,” he said. “We’re not sure what the resolution will be at this time, but we’re moving forward with the opening.”

Vig said management is excited about opening in Athens.

“(Athens) is going to be a tremendous spot for us,” he said. “We enjoy being in small communities, and with the school and (East State Street) expansion, it’s going to be a great thing for us as well as for the city.”