Marlin & Ray's Seafood Restaurant Chain Fails to Float, Shutters

The Marlin & Ray's seafood restaurant chain shuttered all 13 of its stores this week so the company can focus more on its Ruby Tuesday brand.

The Marlin & Ray's on Sudley Road, which was a converted Ruby Tuesday's location, closed after just one year of business.

Company officials said they are working to relocate Marlin & Ray's staff members, which they consider to be part of their family, to remaining restaurant's within the company.

The Ruby Tuesday's location on Liberia Avenue in Manassas will continue operations.

"Based on a significant amount of discussion and analysis, and a clear understanding that driving profitable same-restaurant sales at Ruby Tuesday is our first and most critical priority, we have decided to close our 13 Marlin & Ray’s restaurants immediately," said JJ Buettgen, Ruby Tuesday Inc.'s President and CEO. "While this was a difficult decision to make, we have determined the Marlin & Ray’s brand is not an optimal conversion vehicle for us going forward."

The newer brands had some difficulties and were not a "good fit" for the company, said a source familiar with the company who asked not to be identified. 

Ruby Tuesday Inc. reported a net loss of $15.1 million for the fiscal second quarter which ended on Dec. 4, Buettgen said.

In addition to shuttering its Marlin & Ray's locations, the company announced it is doing away with its Truffles Grill and Wok Hay concepts, but will keep it's Lime Fresh Mexican Grill and Ruby Tuesday brands.