Jeff Ruby
{{Short description|American restaurateur and businessman}}
{{Infobox person
| birth_name = Brian Jeffrey Kranz
| birth_date =
| birth_place = Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
| citizenship = American
| alma_mater = Cornell University
| occupation = {{Unbulleted list|Restaurateur|Businessman}}
| years_active = 1981–present
| known_for = Jeff Ruby Steakhouse
| children = {{Unbulleted list|Britney Ruby Miller (CEO Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment)|
Dillon Ruby|Brandon Ruby}}
| website = {{URL|jeffruby.com}}
}}
Jeffrey Ruby (born Brian Jeffrey Kranz) is an American restaurateur and businessman.{{Cite web |last=Moorwood |first=Victoria |title='Jeff Ruby Way' coming to a Downtown street in honor of local restaurateur |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2022/12/07/cincinnati-restaurateur-jeff-ruby-honored-street-renaming-jeff-ruby-way/69708450007/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} He owns several restaurants in Ohio, Kentucky, and Tennessee.{{cite news |last1=Bollaci |first1=Fred |date=July 16, 2016 |title=EFF RUBY'S STEAKHOUSE & THE PRECINCT BY JEFF RUBY |url=https://www.fredbollacienterprises.com/fred-bollaci-on-dining/jeff-ruby-steakhouse-prime-time-cincinnati-oh/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Fred Bollaci Enterprises}}{{Cite web |last=Bleiberg |first=Larry |title=10Best: Kix Brooks sings the praises of these steakhouses |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/travel/destinations/10greatplaces/2015/08/07/kix-brooks-steakhouses/31215899/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}
Life
Jeff Ruby was born in Newark, New Jersey. He left home at the age of 15 and rented a small room in a house he shared with senior citizens.{{cite web |last1=Paolello |first1=Sheree |date=23 May 2017 |title=Meet Jeff Ruby: The story behind the provocative, outspoken restaurateur |url=https://www.wlwt.com/article/meet-jeff-ruby-the-story-behind-the-provocative-outspoken-restaurateur/9908482 |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=wlwt.com |publisher=WLWT}} Jeff started working at Perkins Restaurant and Bakery while still in his high school. His high school football coach assisted with Ruby getting a scholarship to Cornell University. Ruby attended Cornell University School of Hotel Administration, graduating in 1965.{{cite web |last1=Weaver |first1=Bridgett |date=2017-11-21 |title=IN PERSON: Jeff Ruby says, 'They come to our restaurants to celebrate life' |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/louisville/news/2017/11/21/in-person-jeff-ruby-says-they-come-to-our.html |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Louisville Business First}}
After graduating from Cornell, Ruby worked for Holiday Inn in Cincinnati. He met Johnny Bench and Pete Rose, and with their financial backing, Ruby was able to open his first restaurant, The Precinct, in 1981.{{cite web |last1=Wiley |first1=Chelsea |date=9 December 2017 |title=Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse Is Audacious, Excessive, And Outrageous ... And You're Going To Love It |url=https://www.columbusnavigator.com/jeff-rubys-steakhouse-columbus/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Columbus Navigator}} Ruby's second restaurant, The Waterfront, opened in 1986. The Waterfront was a floating restaurant on the Ohio River in Cincinnati. In the 2010s, The Waterfront struggled due to issues with the restaurant breaking free twice from its dock and a barge hitting it. The Waterfront became submerged in the Ohio River and had to be demolished in October 2014.{{cite news |last1=BieryGolic |first1=Keith |date=October 17, 2014 |title=Ruby's Waterfront became 'Poseidon Adventure' |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/news/2014/10/27/demolition-begins-on-jeff-rubys-waterfront/18030887/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Cincinnati}}
In 1999, Ruby opened Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse. The steakhouse expanded with a second location in Louisville, Kentucky, in 2001, and between 2016 and 2019 to Columbus, Lexington, and Nashville.{{cite news |date=August 12, 2020 |title=Jeff Ruby says Louisville steakhouse is staying open |url=https://www.wdrb.com/news/jeff-ruby-says-louisville-steakhouse-is-staying-open/article_28bbe038-dcf3-11ea-8d4d-9f4c7c2b2c04.html |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=WDRB}}{{cite web |date=2016-07-12 |title=A Look Inside: Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse |url=http://nashvilleguru.com/53476/jeff-rubys-nashville |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Nashville Guru}}{{cite news |last1=Pandolfi |first1=Keith |date=January 18, 2022 |title='We will not let you down.' Jeff Ruby's to provide 'safe space' for Bengals fans in Nashville |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/dining/2022/01/18/jeff-rubys-steakhouse-open-bengals-fans-nashville-vs-titans/6565722001/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Cincinnati Enquirer}}{{cite news |last1=Brownfield |first1=Andy |date=May 5, 2016 |title=Jeff Ruby opening Columbus steakhouse |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/news/2016/05/05/exclusive-jeff-ruby-opening-columbus-steakhouse.html |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Cincinnati Business Courier}}{{cite news |date=March 28, 2019 |title=Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse announces Lexington opening; reservations being accepted |url=https://www.wkyt.com/content/news/Jeff-Rubys-Steakhouse-announces-Lexington-opening-reservations-being-accepted-507779951.html |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=WKYT}} In Spring of 2020, Ruby made daughter Britney Ruby Miller CEO of Jeff Ruby Culinary Entertainment.{{Cite web |last=Coolidge |first=Jason Williams and Sharon |title=Jeff Ruby's empire celebrates 40 years soon, and Britney Ruby Miller is building on dad's legacy |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/food/brewing-cincinnati/2021/08/19/jeff-rubys-ceo-i-hope-people-feel-nostalgia-waterfront-new-location-downtown-cincinnati/8197737002/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}
In 2010, Ruby began sponsoring jockeys in support of the Permanently Disabled Jockeys Fund.{{cite news |last1=Chengery |first1=Elyse |date=May 16, 2018 |title=Restauranteur [sic] Jeff Ruby talks charity work for injured jockeys, sponsoring KY Derby winner |url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/restauranteur-jeff-ruby-talks-charity-work-for-injured-jockeys-sponsoring-ky-derby-winner/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=NBC 4I}} In 2018, the Spiral Stakes, an American Thoroughbred horse race at Turfway Park, was renamed the Jeff Ruby Steaks.{{cite news |date=January 25, 2018 |title=From Spiral Stakes to Jeff Ruby Steaks |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/dining/2018/01/25/spiral-stakes-jeff-ruby-steaks/1065326001/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=The Enquirer}} In 2016, Ruby made a cameo appearance in the biopic "Gotti" (2018), which portrays life of John Gotti, the boss of the Gambino crime family.{{cite news |last1=Brownfield |first1=Andy |date=August 16, 2016 |title=Jeff Ruby cast in John Travolta film |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/cincinnati/blog/2016/08/jeff-ruby-cast-in-john-travolta-film.html |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Cincinnati Business Courier}}{{Cite web |last=Baker |first=Jennifer |date=2018-06-15 |title=Cincinnati-shot 'Gotti' biopic opens Friday with Jeff Ruby, Joe Deters in scenes |url=https://www.fox19.com/story/38431669/gotti-makes-big-screen-premiere-in-cincinnati-nationwide-release-friday |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=FOX19 |language=en}}{{cite news |last1=Motsinger |first1=Carol |date=June 15, 2018 |title='Gotti' is about a New York City icon, but we spotted Cincinnati throughout the new movie |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2018/06/15/where-gotti-filmed-cincinnati/702249002/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Cincinnati}}
Public image
In 2013, three former waitstaff employees from Carlo & Johnny and Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse downtown filed a federal lawsuit against the restaurants, claiming they were compelled to contribute some of their tips to a pooled fund.{{Cite web |last=Katko |first=Ben |date=2013-08-27 |title=Jeff Ruby responds to suit from ex-employees |url=https://www.fox19.com/story/23268678/ex-employees-sue-jeff-rubys-steakhouse-carlos-johnny |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=FOX19 |language=en}} In February 2024, another former employee initiated a class action federal labor lawsuit against Jeff Ruby Steaks, alleging that seven of the restaurants required tipped employees to share tips with back-of-house staff.{{Cite web |last=Kelso |first=Alicia |date=2024-03-11 |title=Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse parent sued for tip theft |url=https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/people/jeff-ruby-s-steakhouse-parent-sued-tip-theft |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Restaurant Hospitality |language=en}}{{Cite web |last1=Six |first1=Taylor |last2=Patton |first2=Janet |date=2024-02-28 |title=Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse parent sued for tip theft |url=https://www.restaurant-hospitality.com/people/jeff-ruby-s-steakhouse-parent-sued-tip-theft |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=Restaurant Hospitality |language=en}} Ruby characterized the allegations as originating from a "former disgruntled employee" and stated that the company intended to defend itself in court.{{Cite web |last=King |first=Courtney |date=2024-02-28 |title=Lawsuit filed against Jeff Ruby's; CEO says 'untrue' |url=https://www.fox19.com/2024/02/28/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-jeff-rubys-ceo-says-untrue/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=FOX19 |language=en}}{{Cite web |last=Sick |first=Chelsea |date=2024-02-28 |title=Former employee files class action lawsuit against Jeff Ruby restaurants over shared tips |url=https://local12.com/news/local/class-action-lawsuit-filed-against-jeff-ruby-restaurants-over-alleged-violations-tips-wages-lexington-liquidated-damages-monetary-penalties-cincinnati-steak-house-federal-minimum-allegations-court-case-servers-bartenders-management-state-laws-comply |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=WKRC |language=en}}
In 2007, Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse in Louisville made national news when Jeff refused to serve O. J. Simpson.{{cite news |last1=Harvey |first1=Scott |date=May 9, 2007 |title=Restaurant owner says O.J. Simpson just not welcome |url=https://www.wave3.com/story/6493883/restaurant-owner-says-oj-simpson-just-not-welcome/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |publisher=Wave 3}} Also in 2016, he banned Donald Trump from his restaurant during a campaign visit due to insulting comments Trump made about Arizona Sen. John McCain and other POWs, questioning their status as heroes.{{Cite web |last=Aldridge |first=Kevin S. |title=He kicked out O.J. Simpson, banned Donald Trump from his restaurant. But what about Sarah Sanders? |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/nation-now/2018/06/28/sara-huckabee-sanders-got-ojed-civility-column/739697002/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} In 2023, Ruby catered a special dinner for the Damar Hamlin family at the University of Cincinnati Medical Center.{{Cite web |last=Ogwude |first=Haadiza |title='It becomes personal for me': Restauranteur Jeff Ruby caters free dinner for Damar Hamlin's family |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/sports/nfl/2023/01/04/jeff-ruby-caters-free-dinner-damar-hamlin-family/10991902002/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}} Various celebrities, including Drake and Sylvester Stallone, are frequent diners at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse.{{Cite web |last=Hodges |first=Bebe |date=2024-03-02 |title='Rocky' actor Sylvester Stallone spotted at Jeff Ruby's Steakhouse |url=https://www.cincinnati.com/story/entertainment/2024/03/02/rocky-actor-sylvester-stallone-at-jeff-rubys-steakhouse/72821122007/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=The Enquirer |language=en-US}}{{Cite web |last=Behrens |first=Cole |date=2024-02-23 |title=Here's where Drake stopped for dinner in Columbus after one of his shows |url=https://www.dispatch.com/story/entertainment/music/2024/02/23/drake-columbus-restaurant-after-shows-jeff-ruby-steakhouse/72710220007/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=The Columbus Dispatch |language=en-US}}
In 2014, Ruby published his autobiography called Not Counting Tomorrow: The Unlikely Life of Jeff Ruby.{{Cite web |last=Williams |first=Jason |title=Cincinnati restaurant icon serves up autobiography |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/life/books/2014/01/11/cincinnati-restaurant-icon-serves-up-autobiography/4428169/ |access-date=2024-07-13 |website=USA TODAY |language=en-US}}{{Cite book |last1=Ruby |first1=Jeff |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0JQAngEACAAJ |title=Not Counting Tomorrow: The Unlikely Life of Jeff Rudy |last2=Windeler |first2=Jeffrey |last3=Windeler |first3=Robert |date=2013 |publisher=Independent Publisher |isbn=978-1-4675-9348-9 |language=en}}
References
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Category:American businesspeople