Samuel E. “Sandy” Beall opened the first Ruby Tuesday restaurant in 1971, with a group of college friends, and grew it into a popular chain. On May 1, 1982, Morrison Inc. acquired the Ruby Tuesday and L&N Seafood Grill concepts and named Beall as president of the Specialty Division. The Silver Spoon Cafe (later Mozzarella’s Cafe, then American Cafe) concept was added in 1984 and the Tia’s concept in 1995. Beall was named executive vice president of Morrison in 1985 and was elected president and chief operating officer in 1987. He assumed the title of chief executive officer in 1992 and became chairman of the board in May 1995.
In March 1996 the board of directors (at Beall’s recommendation) approved spinning off the two smaller operating divisions. Ruby Tuesday Inc. became a separate, publicly held corporation with Beall as chairman and chief executive officer.
In 1994 MUFSO (Multi-Unit Food Service Operators) honored Beall as Operator of the Year and presented him the Golden Chain award. The same year, Restaurants and Institutions Magazine named Beall as Executive of the Year. In June 1998 Ruby Tuesday Inc. relocated its corporate headquarters to Maryville.