Ruth’s Chris was founded in New Orleans in 1965 by the one and only Ruth Fertel. In a time when most women couldn’t even apply for a bank card without their husband’s signature, Ruth risked it all and mortgaged her home to buy a small restaurant called Chris Steak House. Ruth opened the first franchise in 1977, and today we bring great steak to more than 100 locations in 21 countries, including right here in Calgary, Alberta.