Ruth's Chris buys back three units for $13M

HEATHROW Fla. Ruth's Chris Steak House Inc., operator or franchisor of 105 upscale restaurants, has reached a "definitive" agreement to acquire three franchised branches in Seattle and Bellevue, Wash., and Portland, Ore., for a total of $13.25 million, to be financed through the company's revolving credit facility.

The deal, expected to close in July, will give the franchisor control of all the chain's West Coast restaurants and restrains the former franchise