The Duke family owns six Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchise restaurants located in San Antonio, Texas, and Ontario, Canada. Known for their hospitality and generosity, their Ruth’s Chris Steak House establishments have become iconic. Learn how the Duke family built a successful business in this article on torontoski.info.
It All Started with Advertising
Lana Duke was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, and grew up in a foster family in Toronto. At 18, she left Toronto for New Orleans, Louisiana, to start a new life with just $300 in her pocket. To make ends meet, Lana worked as a sales clerk and a private chef.
Realizing that her income wasn’t sufficient to sustain her, she decided to try her hand at advertising and got a job at the Clarion-Herald newspaper. A few years later, she became the advertising director.
By 1975, Lana had saved $10,000, which she invested in founding her own advertising agency, Duke Unlimited. Over time, it became one of the largest and most successful agencies in the region.
In 1978, Ruth Fertel, the owner of a steakhouse in downtown New Orleans, approached Lana’s agency for help with marketing her restaurant, Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
A friendship blossomed between Lana and Ruth, and together they developed a successful marketing program that transformed Ruth’s Chris Steak House into the world’s largest steakhouse brand. Lana became Ruth’s trusted advisor, assisting troubled locations in the franchise network to grow and succeed.
Launching Her Own Franchise
In 1993, Lana became a Ruth’s Chris Steak House franchisee. She opened her first restaurant in San Antonio, Texas, which became immediately profitable, enabling her to repay her investors quickly.
In 1995, Lana opened a Ruth’s Chris location in downtown Toronto. The restaurant quickly became a favorite among locals.
Later, her son David joined her as a business partner. Together, they manage six restaurants in San Antonio and Toronto. David’s wife, Lori, is also part of the family business, working in the administrative office in New Orleans.
Ruth’s Chris Steak Houses have consistently been listed among Canada’s top restaurants. Lana takes pride in the fact that her establishments receive top rankings annually in the Wine Spectator Award.
David plays a crucial role in advancing the business, allowing Lana to focus more on helping others by teaching them how to succeed.
Lana is often invited to speak at various business organizations, sharing insights about having a clear vision, thinking big, and addressing customer needs effectively.
Beyond Business: Supporting Children in Need
Lana is a shining example for children at Roy Maas Youth Alternatives in San Antonio, a residential and counseling center for kids aged 5 to 17 who are in crisis situations.
Each year, she opens the doors of her restaurants to these children, hosting etiquette luncheons where she enthusiastically shares her story of success. These events inspire the children to choose the best path for their future.
One of the greatest lessons Lana has learned from running her business is that even the worst experiences can bring something positive and valuable. Challenges, she believes, make a person stronger.
While Lana didn’t always have family support, she worked tirelessly to create opportunities and build a successful future. She firmly believes that every adversity can ultimately lead to something good.