Ruth’s Chris Steak House returns its $20 million federal Paycheck Protection Program loan following public outcry | Eater Vegas

"I noted that Ruth’s Hospitality Group returned the $20 million Paycheck Protection Program loan for Ruth’s Chris Steak House after consumer and political pressure and new federal guidance indicating publicly traded companies would likely be ineligible; the U.S. Treasury suggested such companies could not certify in good faith that they couldn’t access capital elsewhere and would need to repay funds by May 7. The chain’s steakhouse at Harrah’s Las Vegas has been closed since Gov. Steve Sisolak ordered nonessential businesses, including casinos and dine-in restaurants, to shutter on March 17 to prevent the spread of COVID-19, and Ruth’s Chris was the third of eight publicly traded companies that said it would return its loan." - Susan Stapleton