Ruby Tuesday Inc. is testing menu initiatives and planning TV commercials in an attempt to reverse declining net income and same-store sales from its fiscal 2012 first quarter.

For the first quarter ended Aug. 30, net income fell 75 percent to $3.1 million, compared with $12.4 million the previous year, the company reported. Earnings per share for the quarter were five cents, compared with 19 cents per share the previous year.

Same-store sales decreased 4.1 percent at company-owned restaurants compared with the previous year, according to a company earnings release. Some of the sales decline was attributed to the effects of Hurricane Irene in August.

Sandy Beall, Ruby Tuesday chief executive and founder, expressed disappointment in the sales results.

“We anticipated our first quarter would be challenging, and while our earnings results were within our guidance of [three to six] cents per share, we are disappointed with our sales results for the quarter, which were below our expectations,” Beall said.

“We continue to operate in an aggressive competitive promotional environment with very heavy advertising levels, and we expect these competitive marketing trends to continue, given the soft economy and low consumer confidence,” he added. “To address these sales issues, we have several initiatives in test that are designed to position our brand favorably with the consumer and help us increase our same-restaurant sales.”

Revenue increased 9.1 percent in the first quarter to $330.3 million, compared with $302.7 million in 2010.

Ruby Tuesday is focusing on new products, such as the Seafood Festival limited-time offer starting at $9.99, to boost same-store sales.

The company is also testing new promotions while offering a test menu of more than 40 entrees that includes a complimentary Fresh Endless Garden Bar and garlic cheese biscuits, starting at $8.99.