Ruby Tuesday to debut in airportsRuby Tuesday to debut in airports

MARYVILLE Tenn. Ruby Tuesday Inc. has franchised five U.S. airport locations to Spanish restaurateur and concessionaire Areas S.A., marking the struggling casual chain’s entry into a new market.

The first two airport locations will open in Orlando, Fla., and Detroit by early 2009, Ruby Tuesday said Wednesday. The restaurants will be developed and operated by Areas U.S.A. Inc., a subsidiary of the Spanish hospitality conglomerate. Areas S.A. owns and operates restaurants, retail stores and hotels in nine countries, including Spain, Portugal, Argentina, Mexico and Chile.

Ruby Tuesday, based here, operates or franchises 935 namesake locations.