Document And Entity Information Note To Financial Statement Details Textual Property [Member] Property [member] statementsignificantaccountingpoliciespolicies statementnote2losspersharetables statementnote4accountsandotherreceivablestables Closures and Impairment Expenses [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of aggregate write down of assets, excluding goodwill, from their carrying value to their fair value as well as restaurant closing expense. statementnote5propertyequipmentandassetsheldforsaletables statementnote6longtermdebtandcapitalleasestables statementnote7closuresandimpairmentsexpensetables Operating costs and expenses: us-gaap_DisclosureTextBlockAbstract Notes to Financial Statements statementnote8employeepostemploymentbenefitstables statementnote10sharebasedemployeecompensationtables statementnote12fairvaluemeasurementstables statementnote13supplementalcondensedconsolidatingfinancialstatementstables statementnote2losspershareweightedaveragecommonanddilutivepotentialcommonsharesoutstandingdetails statementnote2losspershareantidilutivesharesexcludedfromcomputationofdilutedearningslosspersharedetails statementnote4accountsandotherreceivableaccountsreceivablecurrentdetails Other Closing Expense [Member] Other closing expense [member] statementnote5propertyequipmentassetsheldforsaleoperatingleasesandsaleleasebacktransactionspropertyandequipmentnetdetails statementnote7closuresandimpairmentsexpenseincludingtrademarkimpairmentsclosuresandimpairmentsexpensedetails statementnote6longtermdebtandcapitalleaseslongtermdebtandcapitalleaseobligationsdetails statementnote8employeepostemploymentbenefitscomponentsofnetperiodicbenefitcostdetails statementnote7closuresandimpairmentsexpenseincludingtrademarkimpairmentsfutureliabilitesassociatedwithclosedpropertiesdetails statementnote10sharebasedemployeecompensationsummaryofstockoptionactivitydetails statementnote8employeepostemploymentbenefitsrollforwardofemployeeseparationobligationsdetails Future Lease Obligations Associated with Closed Properties [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of future lease obligation associated with closed properties. us-gaap_LongTermDebtAndCapitalLeaseObligationsIncludingCurrentMaturities Total long-term debt and capital leases statementnote12fairvaluemeasurementsfairvaluesoffinancialassetsandliabilitiesmeasuredonarecurringbasisdetails statementnote10sharebasedemployeecompensationsummaryofrestrictedstockactivitydetails Other restaurant operating costs Other restaurant operating costs Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities Long-term debt and capital leases, less current maturities statementnote12fairvaluemeasurementslossesrecognizedfromfairvaluemeasurementonnonrecurringbasisdetails statementnote12fairvaluemeasurementsfairvaluesfinancialassetsandliabilitiesmeasuredonanonrecurringbasisdetails Selling, general, and administrative, net Selling, general, and administrative statementnote13supplementalcondensedconsolidatingfinancialstatementscondensedconsolidatingbalancesheetdetails statementnote12fairvaluemeasurementscarryingamountsandfairvaluesofotherfinancialinstrumentsnotmeasuredonarecurringbasisdetails statementnote13supplementalcondensedconsolidatingfinancialstatementcondensedconsolidatingstatementofcashflowsdetails us-gaap_AssetsFairValueDisclosureNonrecurring Assets, Fair Value Disclosure, Nonrecurring statementnote13supplementalcondensedconsolidatingfinancialstatementscondensedconsolidatingstatementofoperationsandcomprehensivelossdetails Notes To Financial Statements [Abstract] Deferred compensation plan – Assets Notes To Financial Statements Other Capitalized Property Plant and Equipment [Member] us-gaap_GainLossOnDispositionOfAssets1 Gain on sale of surplus properties us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentDisposals Property, Plant and Equipment, Disposals us-gaap_DeferredTaxAssetsValuationAllowance Deferred Tax Assets, Valuation Allowance Postretirement Medical and Life Benefits [Member] Postretirement medical and life benefits [member] rt_PaymentsToEmployeesForSeveranceAndUnusedVacation Cash payments The cash outflow associated with the payments of severance and unused vacation accruals. Major Property Class [Domain] Lime Fresh [Member] Represents information pertaining to Lime Fresh. Major Property Class [Axis] Schedule of Unpaid Employee Separation Obligations Included in Accrued Payroll and Related Costs [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the unpaid employee separation obligations in connection with restructuring that are included within Accrued Liabilities: Payroll and related costs in the Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets. Financing activities: Senior Notes [Member] us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInInvestingActivities Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities Net cash provided/(used) by investing activities Other Commitments [Axis] Loss before income taxes (Loss)/income Buyer of Lime Fresh Brand [Member] Refers to information regarding the buyer of the Lime Fresh brand. Other Commitments [Domain] Buyer of Lime Fresh Restuarants [Member] Refers to information regarding the buyer of Lime Fresh restaurants. rt_ProceedsFromSaleOfPropertyPlantAndEquipmentNet Proceeds from Sale of Property Plant and Equipment, Net Property, plant and equipment that is held for sale apart from normal operations and are not anticipated to be sold in less than one year. us-gaap_PaymentsForProceedsFromOtherInvestingActivities Other, net Rebates [Member] Rebates [member] Restaurant Equipment [Member] Represents information pertaining to restaurant equipment. us-gaap_LineOfCredit Long-term Line of Credit Construction in Progress and Other [Member] Construction in progress and other [member] Other Equipment [Member] Other equipment [member] Operating Activities [Axis] Capital lease obligations Deferred compensation liability payable in Company stock us-gaap_LongTermDebt Long-term debt Senior unsecured notes less unamortized discount and debt issuance costs Depreciation and amortization Depreciation and amortization Continuing Operations [Member] Pension and Other Postretirement Benefits Disclosure [Text Block] Operating Activities [Domain] us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsToBeDisposedOf Long-lived assets held for sale us-gaap_ImpairmentOfLongLivedAssetsHeldForUse Long-lived assets held for use Statement [Table] rt_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitReclassifiedAgainstDeferredTaxAssets Unrecognized Tax Benefit Reclassified Against Deferred Tax Assets Represents the amount of the unrecognized tax benefits that are reclassified against the deferred tax assets. us-gaap_DebtInstrumentUnamortizedDiscount Unamortized discount Debt Instrument, Unamortized Discount Stock Options Performance-based [Member] Information pertaining to stock options performance-based. 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Deferred escalating minimum rent Diluted (in dollars per share) Diluted net loss per share (in dollars per share) Basic (in dollars per share) Basic net loss per share (in dollars per share) us-gaap_GainLossOnSaleOfPropertyPlantEquipment Gain (Loss) on Disposition of Property Plant Equipment rt_OperatingLeaseObligationsAmountSettledDuringPeriod Operating Lease Obligations, Amount Settled During Period The amount of operating lease obligations that have been settled during the period. Basic (in shares) Weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares) Selling, General and Administrative Expense [Member] Represents information pertaining to selling, general and administrative expenses. 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Ruby Tuesday [Member] Represents information pertaining to Ruby Tuesday. rt_LineOfCreditFacilityMinimumFixedChargeCoverageRatio Line of Credit Facility, Minimum Fixed Charge Coverage Ratio Minimum fixed charge coverage ratio to be maintained under the terms of the credit facility. Consolidation, Eliminations [Member] Fair Value, Inputs, Level 2 [Member] Condensed Cash Flow Statement [Table Text Block] Rent and Other Line Item [Member] Primary financial caption encompassing accrued liabilities, rent and other. Consolidation Items [Domain] rt_CreditFacilityInterestRateFloor Credit Facility Interest Rate, Floor Represents the minimum interest rate for the credit facility. 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Taxes, other than income and payroll Benefit for income taxes Income Tax Expense (Benefit) Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements Disclosure [Text Block] us-gaap_IncomeLossFromEquityMethodInvestments Equity in losses of subsidiaries Equity in earnings of subsidiaries Class of Stock [Axis] us-gaap_AccountsPayableAndOtherAccruedLiabilitiesCurrent Accrued and other current liabilities us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrent Employee-related Liabilities, Current us-gaap_AccruedIncomeTaxesCurrent Income tax payable us-gaap_InterestPayableCurrent Interest Payable, Current Accounts payable Accounts payable us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPensionPlanLiabilitiesCurrent Defined Benefit Pension Plan Liabilities, Current Insurance proceeds from property claims Deferred revenue – gift cards New Accounting Pronouncements, Policy [Policy Text Block] Accrued liabilities: Insurance us-gaap_NumberOfRestaurants Number of Restaurants Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Restricted Stock and Restricted Stock Units Activity [Table Text Block] Franchisor Disclosure [Domain] Franchisor Disclosure [Axis] Schedule of Share-based Compensation, Stock Options, Activity [Table Text Block] us-gaap_LiabilitiesCurrent Total current liabilities Total current liabilities Schedule of Net Benefit Costs [Table Text Block] Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Text Block] Investing activities: us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInOperatingActivities Net cash provided/(used) by operating activities Net cash provided by operating activities Rent and other Carrying value as of the balance sheet date of obligations incurred through that date and payable for contractual rent under lease arrangements and other payables arising from transactions not otherwise specified in the taxonomy. Used to reflect the current portion of the liabilities (due within one year or within the normal operating cycle if longer). us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognizedPeriodForRecognition1 Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized, Period for Recognition Pension Plan [Member] us-gaap_EmployeeServiceShareBasedCompensationNonvestedAwardsTotalCompensationCostNotYetRecognized Employee Service Share-based Compensation, Nonvested Awards, Compensation Cost Not yet Recognized Closure and Impairments [Member] Represents information included in the closures and impairments section of the income statement. Base Rate [Member] Less current maturities Long-term Debt and Capital Lease Obligations, Current Scenario, Unspecified [Domain] rt_CompanyStockHeldByDeferredCompensationPlan Company stock held by Deferred Compensation Plan Aggregate carrying value as of the balance sheet date of Company stock held for deferred compensation arrangements. Other Deferred Liabilities [Member] Represents unearned revenue or income, not otherwise specified in the taxonomy, which is expected to be taken into income in future periods and obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet (other liabilities). Scenario [Axis] Scenario, Forecast [Member] Plan Name [Domain] Plan Name [Axis] us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAuthorized Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Authorized us-gaap_AccumulatedDepreciationDepletionAndAmortizationPropertyPlantAndEquipment Less accumulated depreciation Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net Property and equipment, net Defined Benefit Plans and Other Postretirement Benefit Plans [Axis] Defined Benefit Plan and Other Postretirement Benefit Plan [Domain] Condensed Financial Statements [Text Block] Asset Impairment Charges [Text Block] rt_DevelopmentAndLicensingFeeIncomeInConjunctionWithNewOpenings Development and Licensing Fee Income in Conjunction with New Openings Development and licensing fee income recognized in conjunction with new openings during the period. us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAwardVestingPeriod1 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Award Vesting Period us-gaap_IncrementalCommonSharesAttributableToShareBasedPaymentArrangements Dilutive effect of stock options and restricted stock (in shares) Debt and Capital Leases Disclosures [Text Block] Retirement of fully depreciated assets Voluntary or miscellaneous disclosures regarding retirement or disposition of long-lived assets through a method other than sale. Reclassification of properties to assets held for sale Reclassification of properties to (from) assets held for sale or receivables. us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardAcceleratedCompensationCost Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award Accelerated Compensation Cost Income Tax Disclosure [Text Block] rt_CompanyOwnedRestaurantsAgreedToSellNumberOfRestaurantsForWhichClosingRequirementsWereSatisfied Company-owned Restaurants Agreed to Sell, Number of Restaurants for Which Closing Requirements Were Satisfied Represents the number of company-owned restaurants agreed to sell, for which closing requirements were satisfied during the period. rt_SaleOfAssetsNumberOfBuyers Sale of Assets, Number of Buyers Represents the number of buyers of the assets sold. Reductions in Deferred Compensation Plan assets Increase or reductions of assets held under deferred compensation agreements. us-gaap_PropertyPlantAndEquipmentGross Property, plant and equipment Weighted average shares: rt_SaleOfAssetsNumberOfRestaurantsRemainingToBeClosedAndTransferredToTheBuyer Sale of Assets, Number of Restaurants Remaining to Be Closed and Transferred to the Buyer Represents the number of restaurants, which are part of the specified disposal group, that remain to be closed and transferred to the buyer. rt_DeferredEscalatingMinimumRent Deferred escalating minimum rent The non-cash portion of rent expense resulting from the straight-line recognition of rental expense of operating leases. us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardNumberOfSharesAvailableForGrant Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Number of Shares Available for Grant rt_SaleOfAssetsAmountToBeReceivedHoldbackUntilTransferOfAllRemainingRestaurants Sale of Assets, Amount to Be Received, Holdback Until Transfer of All Remaining Restaurants Represents the holdback on the amount to be received, until the transfer of all remaining restaurants that are being sold. This amount is not accrued as a receivable as of the balance sheet date. rt_NumberOfCompanyownedRestaurantsPlannedToClose Number of Company-owned Restaurants Planned to Close Represents the number of company-owned restaurants for which the Board of Director's approved management's plan to close. rt_NumberOfCompanyOwnedRestaurantsAgreedDuringThePeriodToSell Number of Company-owned Restaurants Agreed During the Period to Sell Represents the number of restaurants that, during the period, the company agreed to sell. rt_NumberOfRestaurantsClosed Number of Restaurants Closed This element represents the number of restaurants closed during the period. us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriod Expired (in shares) Type of Restructuring [Domain] us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanNetPeriodicBenefitCost Net periodic benefit cost us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingNumber Outstanding (in shares) Outstanding (in shares) Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Number Restructuring Type [Axis] us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageExercisePrice Outstanding (in dollars per share) Outstanding (in dollars per share) rt_OperatingAgreementsSupportServiceFeeGrossSalesContributionMaximum Operating Agreements Support Service Fee Gross Sales Contribution Maximum For a franchise operating agreement, the support service fee maximum chargeable amount, expressed as a percentage of gross sales. Employee Severance [Member] rt_OperatingAgreementsMarketingAndPurchaseFeeGrossSalesContributionMaximum Operating Agreements Marketing and Purchase Fee Gross Sales Contribution Maximum For a franchise operating agreement, the marketing and purchase fee maximum chargeable amount, expressed as a percentage of gross sales. rt_RoyaltyFeePercentage Royalty Fee Percentage The fee, expressed as a percentage, for the use of the entity's name under the franchise operating agreements. rt_OperatingAgreementsNationalAdvertisingFundGrossSalesContributionMaximum Operating Agreements National Advertising Fund Gross Sales Contribution Maximum For a franchise operating agreement, the advertising fee maximum chargeable amount, expressed as a percentage of gross sales. us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice Granted (in dollars per share) Franchise Programs [Text Block] Disclosure of the number of franchise restaurants and the fee structure charged to existing franchisees. rt_NumberOfFranchiseRestaurants Number of Franchise Restaurants Represents the number of restaurants operated by traditional franchisees. Net loss Net loss Net loss us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExpirationsInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice Expired (in dollars per share) us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementsByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriodWeightedAverageExercisePrice Cancellations and forfeitures (in dollars per share) us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm1 Exercisable at August 30, 2016 us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableWeightedAverageExercisePrice Exercisable at August 30, 2016 (in dollars per share) us-gaap_IncomeLossFromContinuingOperations Net loss us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsExercisableNumber Exercisable at August 30, 2016 (in shares) us-gaap_Assets Total assets Total assets us-gaap_SharebasedCompensationArrangementBySharebasedPaymentAwardOptionsOutstandingWeightedAverageRemainingContractualTerm2 Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding, Weighted Average Remaining Contractual Term Current liabilities: Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) [Member] Restricted Stock [Member] us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeitedInPeriod Cancellations and forfeitures (in shares) Antidilutive Securities, Name [Domain] us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedNumber Unvested (in shares) Unvested (in shares) Employee Stock Option [Member] Schedule of Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Table Text Block] us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriod Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Grants in Period Antidilutive Securities [Axis] us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriod Vested (in shares) Counterparty Name [Domain] us-gaap_PaymentsToAcquirePropertyPlantAndEquipment Purchases of property and equipment Purchases of property and equipment Counterparty Name [Axis] us-gaap_OtherAssets Other assets us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsNonvestedWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue Unvested (in dollars per share) Unvested (in dollars per share) us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsForfeituresWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue Cancellations and forfeitures (in dollars per share) us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsVestedInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue Vested (in dollars per share) us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardEquityInstrumentsOtherThanOptionsGrantsInPeriodWeightedAverageGrantDateFairValue Granted (in dollars per share) Other comprehensive income: us-gaap_ProceedsFromSaleOfBuildings Proceeds from Sale of Buildings Earnings Per Share [Text Block] Loss per share: Proceeds from sale of assets Proceeds from Sale of Property, Plant, and Equipment Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information: us-gaap_Revenues Total revenue Total revenue us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanAmortizationOfGainsLosses Defined Benefit Plan, Amortization of Gains (Losses) Recognized actuarial loss Income taxes, net Amendment Flag Significant non-cash investing and financing activities: us-gaap_OtherNoncashIncomeExpense Other, net Document Fiscal Year Focus Changes in operating assets and liabilities: Document Fiscal Period Focus Loans, Notes, Trade and Other Receivables Disclosure [Text Block] us-gaap_AdjustmentForLongTermIntercompanyTransactionsNetOfTax Other intercompany transactions Document Period End Date Current Fiscal Year End Date Credit Facility [Axis] us-gaap_LongTermDebtFairValue Long-term debt Document Information [Line Items] us-gaap_OtherComprehensiveIncomeLossPensionAndOtherPostretirementBenefitPlansAdjustmentNetOfTax Pension liability reclassification Pension liability reclassification Document Information [Table] Entity Current Reporting Status Entity Voluntary Filers Entity Filer Category Document Type Sub-limit for Standby Letters of Credit [Member] The maximum amount that can be provided for the issuance of standby letters of credit under a credit facility. Common stock, outstanding (in shares) Cash and cash equivalents: us-gaap_StockholdersEquity Total shareholders' equity Total shareholders’ equity Entity Well-known Seasoned Issuer us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationConsideration Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Consideration us-gaap_ComprehensiveIncomeNetOfTax Total comprehensive loss Total comprehensive loss Statement of Financial Position [Abstract] rt_DebtInstrumentCollateralAmountAppraisedValue Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount, Appraised Value Appraised value of assets pledged to secure a debt instrument. rt_ThirdPartyGiftCardSalesReceivables Third-party gift card sales Represents third party gift card sales receivables. rt_PaymentsClosedPropertyLeaseObligation Payments Amount of cash paid during the period to settle lease obligations associated with closed properties. Post-retirement Medical and Life Benefits Plans [Member] Post-retirement plans that provides health benefits and life insurance to the retiree or beneficiary. rt_OperatingLeaseObligation Balance Balance Operating Lease Obligation Sum of the carrying values as of the balance sheet date of the lease obligations for closed restaurants. Rent and Other [Member] Rent and other line item on the balance sheet. Closing expense including rent and other lease charges Closed restaurant lease reserves The charge against earnings for lease reserves on closed restaurants. us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInInventories Inventories Disposal Group Name [Axis] Disposal Group Name [Domain] Pre-amendment [Member] Represents information pertaining to the arrangement prior to its amendment. us-gaap_TableTextBlock Notes Tables Revolving Credit Facility [Member] Credit Facility [Domain] us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInIncomeTaxesReceivable Income taxes us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsAndNotesReceivable Receivables us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanExpectedReturnOnPlanAssets Expected return on plan assets us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanInterestCost Interest cost us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlanServiceCost Service cost Statement of Cash Flows [Abstract] Long-term Debt, Type [Domain] Long-term Debt, Type [Axis] us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInPrepaidDeferredExpenseAndOtherAssets Prepaid and other assets Mortgages [Member] us-gaap_SalesRevenueServicesNet Restaurant sales and operating revenue Retained earnings Retained earnings Accumulated other comprehensive loss Accumulated other comprehensive loss us-gaap_LiabilitiesAndStockholdersEquity Total liabilities and shareholders' equity Total liabilities & shareholders’ equity us-gaap_OtherReceivablesNetCurrent Other receivables Restaurant sales and operating revenue Franchise revenue Franchise revenue Legal Entity [Axis] us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsGrantsInPeriodGross Granted (in shares) Entity Registrant Name Entity Central Index Key Entity [Domain] us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensationArrangementByShareBasedPaymentAwardOptionsForfeituresInPeriod Cancellations and forfeitures (in shares) us-gaap_DefinedBenefitPlansEstimatedFutureEmployerContributionsInCurrentFiscalYear Defined Benefit Plans, Estimated Future Employer Contributions in Current Fiscal Year Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding (in shares) Cash and cash equivalents Beginning of fiscal year End of quarter Cash and cash equivalents Trading Symbol us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsThatWouldImpactEffectiveTaxRate Unrecognized Tax Benefits that Would Impact Effective Tax Rate us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefits Unrecognized Tax Benefits Guarantor Subsidiaries [Member] us-gaap_IncreaseDecreaseInAccountsPayableAndAccruedLiabilities Accounts payable, accrued and other liabilities us-gaap_DebtInstrumentBasisSpreadOnVariableRate1 Debt Instrument, Basis Spread on Variable Rate Restricted Stock Performance-based [Member] Restricted stock performance-based [member us-gaap_InterestIncomeExpenseNet Interest expense, net Interest expense, net Disposal Group, Held-for-sale, Not Discontinued Operations [Member] Cliff Vest [Member] Cliff vest [member us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateEffectivePercentage Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Effective Percentage Current assets: Equity Component [Domain] Disposal Group Classification [Axis] Equity Components [Axis] Disposal Group Classification [Domain] Restricted Stock Service-based [Member] Restricted stock service-based [member us-gaap_DebtInstrumentInterestRateStatedPercentage Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage us-gaap_CashAndCashEquivalentsPeriodIncreaseDecrease Increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents Increase in cash and cash equivalents us-gaap_EquityMethodInvestmentUnderlyingEquityInNetAssets Investment in subsidiaries rt_OtherDeferredLiabilitiesAndDeferredEscalatingMinimumRent Other deferred liabilities Aggregate carrying amount, as of the balance sheet date, of noncurrent obligations not separately disclosed in the balance sheet and the deferred escalating minimum rent. Noncurrent liabilities are expected to be paid after one year (or the normal operating cycle, if longer). Assets Held for Use [Member] Assets held for use [member rt_NumberOfRestaurantsSold Number of Restaurants Sold The number of restaurants sold by the entity during the period. Schedule of Gains and Losses Recognized from Fair Value Measurements on Non-Recurring Basis [Table Text Block] Tabular disclosure of the gains and losses recognized in the Consolidated Statements of Operations and Comprehensive (Loss)/Income resulting from the fair value measurements of assets and liabilities measured on a non-recurring basis. The gains and losses are associated with continuing and discontinued operations. Lease reserve adjustments Reasonably Possible Amounts Will Change Within Next Twelve Months [Member] Reasonably possible amounts will change within next twelve months [member us-gaap_DebtInstrumentFaceAmount Debt Instrument, Face Amount us-gaap_DebtInstrumentRepurchaseAmount Debt Instrument, Repurchase Amount us-gaap_AccountsNotesAndLoansReceivableNetCurrent Accounts and other receivables Accounts and other receivables One Office Building at the Restaurant Support Center [Member] Represents information pertaining to one office building at the Restaurant Support Center that is being disposed of. Retirement Plan [Member] Retirement plan [member us-gaap_AccountsReceivableNetCurrent Receivables Restricted Stock Units Service-based [Member] Represents information pertaining to service based restricted stock units (RSUs). rt_DefinedBenefitPensionPlans Defined Benefit Pension Plans Defined benefit pensionplans rt_OperatingLeaseObligationOtherAdjustments Adjustments to deferred escalating minimum rent Other adjustments to the carrying value of operating lease obligations. Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Text Block] Former Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer [Member] Represents information pertaining to a former Chairman of the Board of Directors, President, and Chief Executive Officer. SIP and 1996 SIP [Member] SIP nd 1996 SIP [member] rt_NumberOfAnnualInstallments Number Of Annual Installments The number of installments the equity based compensation are vested following the date of grant. London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR) [Member] Variable Rate [Domain] Common stock, par value (in dollars per share) Variable Rate [Axis] China, silver and supplies Inventories: us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCollateralAmount Debt Instrument, Collateral Amount Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used by Type [Axis] Impaired Long-Lived Assets Held and Used, Asset Name [Domain] Schedule of Accounts, Notes, Loans and Financing Receivable [Table Text Block] us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesIssued Preferred Stock, Shares Issued Schedule of Long-term Debt Instruments [Table Text Block] us-gaap_PreferredStockParOrStatedValuePerShare Preferred Stock, Par or Stated Value Per Share Receivable Type [Axis] Receivable [Domain] us-gaap_PreferredStockSharesAuthorized Preferred Stock, Shares Authorized Parent Company [Member] us-gaap_PaymentsForRepurchaseOfCommonStock Stock repurchases Stock repurchases us-gaap_DebtInstrumentCumulativeSinkingFundPayments Debt Instrument, Cumulative Sinking Fund Payments Common stock, $0.01 par value; (authorized: 100,000 shares; issued and outstanding: 2017 – 60,197 shares, 2016 – 60,137 shares) Common stock us-gaap_DebtInstrumentTerm Debt Instrument, Term Significant Accounting Policies [Text Block] Common stock, issued (in shares) Inventory write-off Inventory write-off Common stock, authorized (in shares) Accounting Policies [Abstract] Subsequent Event Type [Domain] Subsequent Event Type [Axis] us-gaap_PaymentsOfDividends Intercompany dividend Statement [Line Items] Subsequent Event [Member] Subsequent Events [Text Block] us-gaap_PolicyTextBlockAbstract Accounting Policies Revenue: Operating activities: Title of Individual [Axis] Fair Value Disclosures [Text Block] Relationship to Entity [Domain] us-gaap_DebtInstrumentMaturityDate Debt Instrument, Maturity Date Fair Value, by Balance Sheet Grouping [Table Text Block] us-gaap_NetCashProvidedByUsedInFinancingActivities Net cash used by financing activities Net cash used by financing activities us-gaap_DueFromRelatedPartiesNoncurrent Due from/(to) subsidiaries Other assets Interest, net of amount capitalized Merchandise Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided/(used) by operating activities: us-gaap_EmployeeRelatedLiabilitiesCurrentAndNoncurrent Balance Balance Cost of goods sold Cost of goods sold us-gaap_UnrecognizedTaxBenefitsIncomeTaxPenaltiesAndInterestAccrued Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Accrued us-gaap_UnamortizedDebtIssuanceExpense Unamortized debt issuance costs Payroll and Related Costs [Member] Represents the balance sheet account of payroll and related costs. Equity Award [Domain] Award Type [Axis] us-gaap_DueFromAffiliateCurrent Amounts due from franchisees Six Restaurants Meeting the Closing Requirements [Member] Refers to information regarding six restaurants that met the closing requirements. Closed Restaurant Lease Reserves, Inventory Write-off, Severance Benefits, and Other Closing Expenses [Member] Refers to information regarding closed restaurant lease reserves, inventory write-off, severance benefits, and other closing expenses. us-gaap_DepreciationDepletionAndAmortization Depreciation and amortization rt_RangeOfLoanBalances Range of Loan Balances Mortgage loan obligations acquired as of balance sheet date. us-gaap_Liabilities Total liabilities Total liabilities Commitments and contingencies (Note 11) us-gaap_InventoryNet Inventories Prepaid rent and other expenses us-gaap_OtherAssetsCurrent Other current assets us-gaap_ShareBasedCompensation Share-based compensation expense us-gaap_CostsAndExpenses Total operating costs and expenses Total operating costs and expenses Payroll and related costs Payroll and related costs Interim Period, Costs Not Allocable [Domain] Nature of Expense [Axis] rt_OtherNetInvestingActivities Other, net Amount of cash (inflow) outflow from other investing activities. us-gaap_DisposalGroupIncludingDiscontinuedOperationPropertyPlantAndEquipmentCurrent Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Property, Plant and Equipment, Current rt_IntercompanySellingGeneralAndAdministrativeAllocations Intercompany selling, general, and administrative allocations The aggregate allocation for intercompany total costs related to selling a firm's product and services, as well as all other general and administrative expenses. Direct selling expenses (for example, credit, warranty, and advertising) are expenses that can be directly linked to the sale of specific products. Indirect selling expenses are expenses that cannot be directly linked to the sale of specific products, for example telephone expenses, Internet, and postal charges. General and administrative expenses include salaries of non-sales personnel, rent, utilities, communication, etc. Assets held for sale Disposal Group, Including Discontinued Operation, Assets, Current rt_IntercompanyInterestExpenseIncome Intercompany interest expense/(income) The intercompany net amount of operating interest income (expense). Capital in excess of par value Capital in excess of par value us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityUnusedCapacityCommitmentFeePercentage Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage Income tax receivable Income tax receivable us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityCurrentBorrowingCapacity Line of Credit Facility, Current Borrowing Capacity us-gaap_LineOfCreditFacilityRemainingBorrowingCapacity Line of Credit Facility, Remaining Borrowing Capacity us-gaap_AssetsCurrent Total current assets Total current assets Shareholders’ equity: Deferred income taxes