Ryan’s Steakhouse was once a beloved name in the buffet restaurant industry. Known for its affordable meals and family-friendly atmosphere, it attracted diners across the United States. Over the years, however, the restaurant’s presence has faded, leaving many to wonder: is Ryan’s Steakhouse still in business? In this blog post, we’ll explore the history of Ryan’s Steakhouse, its current status, and its ownership.
History of Ryan’s Steakhouse
Ryan’s Steakhouse began its journey in 1977 in Greer, South Carolina. It was founded by Alvin McCall and the Ryan family, who sought to create a restaurant offering hearty meals at reasonable prices. The concept caught on quickly. By the 1980s, Ryan’s had expanded across the Southeast, becoming a household name for its buffet-style dining.
Known for its “mega bar” and endless options, Ryan’s was a pioneer in the casual buffet dining niche. Families loved the variety of food choices, including steaks, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, and salads. For many, it became a go-to spot for celebrations, Sunday lunches, and casual outings.
Is Ryan’s Steakhouse Still in Business?
So, is Ryan’s Steakhouse still in business today? The short answer is Yes. Ryan’s Steakhouse is longer operating as a prominent buffet chain. The brand suffered significant setbacks during the 2010s, leading to the closure of most, if not all, of its locations. One of the biggest blows came when Buffets, Inc. filed for bankruptcy multiple times.
The buffet dining model, once hugely popular, began to lose favor with diners. Health concerns, especially the rise of awareness around obesity and nutrition, made buffets less appealing. The COVID-19 pandemic dealt a severe blow to buffet-style restaurants.Social distancing and hygiene concerns led many buffets to close their doors permanently, including Ryan’s.
Who Owns Ryan’s Steakhouse?
Ryan’s Steakhouse was last owned by Ovation Brands, the parent company of several buffet restaurant chains. Ovation Brands was formerly known as Buffets, Inc., which acquired Ryan’s in 2006. The acquisition was part of a strategy to strengthen its portfolio of buffet-style restaurants. Ovation Brands also owned Old Country Buffet, Hometown Buffet, and Fire Mountain.
Unfortunately, Ovation Brands faced financial difficulties throughout its history. The company filed for bankruptcy multiple times, with its most recent filing in 2016. During these periods of financial instability, many of its restaurants, including Ryan’s, were closed. Ovation Brands was eventually acquired by Food Management Partners (FMP), a San Antonio-based company specializing in distressed restaurant assets.
Current Strategy of Ryan’s Steakhouse
Ryan’s Steakhouse was known for its buffet-style dining and reasonably priced steak meals.Over time, as financial issues piled up, the company began closing many of its restaurants. The goal was to reduce costs and limit losses. Instead of trying to grow, the strategy shifted to survival—by shutting down underperforming locations and scaling back operations.
How Ryan’s Steakhouse Managed Its Financial Mess
Ryan’s filed for bankruptcy more than once—first in 2008 and again in 2012. Both times, it tried to recover by cutting jobs and closing restaurants. In 2012 alone, it shut down 81 locations. Things didn’t improve much, and when the COVID-19 pandemic hit, the situation got worse. In 2021, the parent company filed for bankruptcy again. Changes in how people eat and growing debt were among the main reasons.
Reviews from Customers
Customer reviews were mixed. Some people remember Ryan’s fondly, especially for its honey-butter rolls, dessert bars, and casual family vibe. Others said the food quality dropped over the years, and service was hit or miss. On job websites, employees gave average ratings. Some said it was a decent place to work, while others mentioned poor management and low pay
Future Prospects
At this point, Ryan’s Steakhouse is no longer active. Most, if not all, of its locations have closed, and there are no plans to bring it back. The company that owned it—VitaNova Brands—still runs other restaurant chains, but Ryan’s has been phased out completely. For now, it only lives on in people’s memories and online posts.
Conclusion
Ryan’s Steakhouse was once a favorite spot for families looking for a big meal at a fair price. But over the years, financial trouble, declining food quality, and strong competition hurt the business. Despite multiple efforts to recover, the chain ultimately closed its doors While the brand is gone, many still remember the good times they had there.
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