Ruth Fertel: The Woman Who Lit the Fire of a Steakhouse Empire
Once upon a time, in the heart of Louisiana, a petite woman with big dreams and a fiery spirit dared to take on a world where men ruled the kitchens and controlled the business deals. Her name was Ruth Fertel. She didn’t wear a cape, but in her own way, she was a hero—one who would go on to build one of the most famous fine-dining empires in America, Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
It all started not with a craving for steak, but with love. Love for her family, love for hard work, and eventually, a deep love for what she built with her bare hands. But the journey wasn’t easy. Ruth’s story is not just about cooking steaks; it’s about burning down stereotypes, searing doubt with determination, and seasoning success with heart.
The Beginning: A Woman Ahead of Her Time
Ruth Fertel was born in 1927 in a small town near New Orleans. Even as a child, Ruth showed signs of grit. She was curious, bold, and had a laugh that made people smile. Her family wasn’t wealthy, but she was rich in values—honesty, strength, and resilience. She loved science and math, and when most girls were taught to sew or cook, Ruth was solving equations and dreaming of becoming something more.
At just 19, she earned a degree in chemistry from Louisiana State University. It was rare back then for a woman to study science, let alone graduate early. But Ruth wasn’t one to follow the rules. She was already paving her own path.
After college, she married and had two sons. But life threw her a curveball—her marriage didn’t last. Suddenly, Ruth was a single mother. She didn’t cry about it. She simply rolled up her sleeves and got to work. She took a job as a lab tech and even taught school to keep the lights on. Still, something inside her whispered, “You were made for more.”
A Bold Bet: The First Steakhouse
In 1965, Ruth saw a classified ad in the newspaper. A local steakhouse was up for sale. It was called “Chris Steak House.” It was small, with just 60 seats, and the owner wanted $18,000 for it. Ruth didn’t have the money, but she believed in herself. She mortgaged her house, betting it all on a dream she didn’t even know she had.
People thought she was crazy. She had never worked in a restaurant. She didn’t know anything about steak. But Ruth had what money couldn’t buy—courage and common sense. She believed if she worked hard, learned fast, and treated people right, she could make it.
She bought the place and kept the name, Chris Steak House, because the deal said the name had to stay. She was the only woman owner on the block, and some suppliers wouldn’t even talk to her. So, Ruth did what she always did—she learned. She learned how to butcher meat. She cooked the steaks herself. She answered phones, waited tables, cleaned the floors, and greeted every guest with a smile. She didn’t just run the restaurant—she lived it.
In the hot, smoky kitchen, Ruth found her rhythm. She discovered the secret to a great steak: simplicity, quality, and fire. She used USDA Prime beef, never frozen, seared at 1800°F, served sizzling in butter on a 500°F plate. The sound, the smell, the taste—it was unforgettable.
From One to Many: A Fire That Spread
The restaurant grew fast. Word spread that Chris Steak House, now run by a woman named Ruth, was serving the best steak in town. Locals loved it. Tourists raved about it. Politicians and celebrities started to visit. Business was booming.
But then, in 1976, disaster struck. A fire destroyed the original building. Ruth didn’t break down. She found a new location just four blocks away and reopened. But there was one problem—her contract said she couldn’t use the name “Chris Steak House” in a different location.
So, she added her own name and called it: “Ruth’s Chris Steak House.”
It was a mouthful, and Ruth joked that it was the most awkward name in the business. But the brand stuck. People trusted Ruth. Her name meant sizzling steak, warmth, and excellence. Her name was the brand.
Ruth didn’t just rebuild. She expanded. In 1977, she sold her first franchise. Then another. And another. By the 1980s, Ruth’s Chris had become a national name. But she was careful. She didn’t just sell to anyone. Franchisees had to share her values—respect for guests, commitment to quality, and love for the steak.
Each new location was trained by Ruth herself. She flew across the country, often wearing simple clothes, blending in with kitchen staff, teaching them how to cook, how to welcome guests, and how to run a business with heart.
She made sure her restaurants had soul. It wasn’t about just making money. It was about making people feel special. That’s why servers wore tuxedos, the tables were set with fine linen, and guests were treated like royalty.
The Ruth Style of Business: People First
Ruth’s leadership style was rare. She didn’t lead with fear—she led with love. She remembered birthdays, supported her staff like family, and helped her employees grow. Many of her staff stayed with her for decades. She believed in second chances, often hiring people others had turned away. She trusted her gut, and her gut rarely failed her.
She also helped other women. Ruth knew how tough it was to break into business, especially in a world where doors were often closed to women. She opened those doors for others. She shared her story, gave advice, and lifted women up—one job, one opportunity, one steak at a time.
She didn’t chase fame. She focused on her guests. But her success spoke for itself. By the 1990s, Ruth’s Chris was the largest fine-dining steakhouse chain in the U.S., with locations across the country and even internationally.
Despite all the success, Ruth stayed grounded. She still answered phones sometimes. She still talked to guests. She still believed in hard work and humility.
A Lasting Flame: Ruth’s Legacy
Ruth Fertel passed away in 2002, but the fire she lit never went out.
Her story is more than just a business success. It’s a lesson in belief. In a world that said, “You can’t,” Ruth said, “Watch me.” She didn’t wait for permission. She didn’t ask for applause. She just did the work.
Today, Ruth’s Chris Steak House continues to serve sizzling steaks to millions of guests each year. But behind every steak is a memory of the woman who started it all with a loan, a dream, and a deep belief in doing things right.
She showed us that you don’t need to be born into power to build something powerful. You don’t need to be loud to be strong. And you don’t need to follow others to lead. Ruth led with her hands, her heart, and her soul.
Her legacy lives in every hot plate, every happy diner, every server proud to wear the name Ruth.
Because when you build with purpose, your story never really ends—it just keeps on sizzling.
