U.S. restaurant chain eyes expansion in Philippines

U.S. restaurant chain Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse is planning to put up one or two more branches in the Philippines as part of its aggressive expansion in the Asian region.

“Judging by the success of this branch (Ore Central Tower in Bonifacio Global City), I think there is an opportunity and we do have the demand for it,” Kieran Galway, regional director of the Ruth’s Chris Steak House in Asia-Pacific, said in a recent media roundtable.

Galway, who also oversees operations of their branches in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, China, Singapore, and Indonesia, said they saw a big fanbase of Filipinos in other countries, prompting them to open one in the Philippines back in 2021.

“Judging by our guests in Singapore and Hong Kong, we got a lot of Filipino guests. So, there is a big fanbase. It’s by popular demand and we have a very good local partner,” said Galway.

He said they are partnered with the Am-Phil group, which also manages the local American casual dining restaurant chain Chili’s Grill and Bar, Chinese restaurant chain Super Bowl of China, and  Japanese restaurant brand Nanbantei Yakitori Bar.

Local branches of the Salvatore Cuomo and Bar, the Wild West Roadhouse Grill, and the Tokyo Tonteki are also under the Am-Phil group.

Galway said they will open one or two more branches in the Philippines in the future, scoping prospects outside of the capital region for a suitable location.

In Asia, there are currently 14 branches according to the RCS executive, with more seen in the future.

The Ruth’s Chris Steak House footprint in Asia began almost 30 years ago in Taipei, Taiwan, with all the branches in the region under the franchisee-owner restaurant group Hasmore Limited.

The restaurant chain brand is touted as the largest upscale steak house company in the world, with over 130 restaurant locations around the globe.

The steakhouse was founded in New Orleans, Louisiana by Ruth Fertel in 1965, specializing in prime grade steaks.