Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> October 6, 1999
SAMUEL E. BEALL III, is Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Ruby
Tuesday, Inc., an over 475-unit casual-dining restaurant company listed
on the New York Stock Exchange (RI). Mr. Beall leads a company of three,
well-positioned concepts, Ruby Tuesday, American Cafe, and Tia's Tex-
Mex. In 1971, while attending the University of Tennessee, Mr. Beall and
four college friends founded the Ruby Tuesday concept. Over the next 10
years, Mr. Beall and his team grew Ruby Tuesday to 16 units and, in
1982, opened the first L&N Seafood Grill at the World's Fair in
Knoxville. On May 1, 1982, Morrison Incorporated acquired the Ruby
Tuesday and L&N Seafood Grill concepts and named Mr. Beall President of
the Specialty Division. The Silver Spoon Cafe (formerly changed to
Mozzarella's Cafe, now known as American Cafe) concept was added in 1984
and the Tia's concept in 1995. Mr. Beall was named Executive Vice
President of Morrison in 1985, and was elected President and Chief
Operating Officer in 1986. He assumed the title of Chief Executive
Officer in 1992 and Chairman of the Board in May, 1995. In March, 1996,
Ruby Tuesday, Inc. became a separate, publicly held corporation with Mr.
Beall as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. In 1994, MUFSO (Multi-
Unit Food Service Operators) honored Mr. Beall as Operator of the Year
and presented him with the Golden Chain Award. This also marked the
year Mr. Beall was named Executive of the Year by Restaurants and
Institutions Magazine. In June of 1998, Ruby Tuesday, Inc. relocated
its corporate headquarters to Maryville. Mr. Beall serves as a director
of Pilot Corporation. He is a member of the University of Tennessee
Development Council, Maryville College Advisory Board, Board of Visitors
of the University of Alabama Culverhouse College of Commerce, Knoxville
Chamber Partnership Board, and the Young Presidents Organization. Profile
Inc., the company's history, activities, customers, services, those
kinds of things please.
Mr. Beall: Our company really
