Ruby Tuesday chain to be taken private in $146 million deal

NEW YORK — Ruby Tuesday is being acquired for about $146 million in a deal that will take the struggling chain private.

Like other sit-down restaurant chains, Ruby Tuesday has lost customers to cheaper, faster and more casual places.

The private-equity firm NRD Capital will pay $2.40 for each share of Ruby Tuesday, a 21 percent premium from its closing price of $1.99 on Friday. When debt is included, the companies value the deal at $335 million.

Atlanta’s NRD acquired Frisch’s Big Boy Restaurants in 2015 and also owns a majority stake in Fuzzy’s Taco Shop.

Shares of Ruby Tuesday Inc., based in Maryville, Tennessee, rose 38 cents, or 19 percent, to $2.37 on Monday.