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Six eateries owned by national chains and the independent Acme Burger Co. in downtown Salt Lake City have closed — just as many segments of the restaurant industry are pulling out of the economic downturn.

Nationwide, restaurant sales are expected to reach a record $604 billion in 2011, the first positive results after three years of negative sales growth, according to the National Restaurant Association.

In Utah, restaurant sales taxes paid during fourth quarter of 2010 increased more than $350,000, compared with the same period a year earlier.

But not everyone is prospering as the eateries and their customers adapt to new economic realities.

Five Ruby Tuesday outlets in Utah closed in January, leaving only the Park City franchise at 6585 N. Landmark Drive. The shuttered restaurants were in Draper, West Jordan, West Valley City, Logan and St. George.

The closings cost at least 200 employees their jobs.

Also shut down were the Lone Star Steakhouse in Sugar House at 1206 E. 2100 South, and Acme Burger, 275 S. 200 West. Acme, a small independent eatery known for grass-fed beef and good reviews, was closed for nonpayment of taxes. It opened in 2007.

The closings show some casual-dining restaurants are struggling, with diners opting instead for the quick-serve concept, said Steve Bowler, a real estate specialist at Coldwell Banker Commercial in Salt Lake City. At quick-serve spots, such as Rumbi Island Grill or Smashburger, customers order meals at counters, bills are usually cheaper and tips are optional.

"People are time-starved," said Bowler, whose clients include Ruby Tuesday, Lone Star and Smashburger. "They usually aren't willing to wait an hour or more to be seated, then pay a tip on top of their meals. This is why the quick-serve concept is doing well."

The Lone Star closure leaves two other locations in Utah, one in Centerville, at 111 S. Frontage Road, the other at 7176 S. 900 East in Midvale.

Last fall, Lone Star closed 19 under-performing restaurants in multiple states, according to Restaurant News. The move left Lone Star with 112 locations in 31 states.

Once publicly owned, Lone Star had operated more than twice as many restaurants as it has today — 253 units — in its 2005 fiscal year. But negative sales trends led it to begin shedding restaurants the following year. It was acquired in December 2006 by an affiliated company of Dallas-based Lone Star Funds.

Representatives of the Plano, Texas-based chain did not return calls seeking comment.

Ruby Tuesday spokeswoman Meridith Hammond said her chain closed its Utah locations "because sales performance did not justify their continued operation."

She said the Utah closings, along with the shuttering of four franchises in Washington state, do not indicate the company is in trouble. In January, the chain reported its best sales quarter in nearly five years. It has announced plans to open eight to 10 franchises by June, including five overseas. It also expects to close seven to nine company-owned restaurants, while converting seven eateries to upscale restaurants.

Ruby Tuesday operates 676 company and 198 franchised restaurants in the United States and globally.

Despite issues in some parts of the industry, the National Restaurant Association projects sales this year will increase 3.6 percent over 2010, which equals 1.1 percent in real, inflation-adjusted terms.

"As the national economy is slowly improving, the restaurant industry is climbing out of its most challenging period in decades to post positive real sales growth in 2011," Hudson Riehle, the association's senior vice president of the Research and Knowledge Group said in a statement.

"As in 2010, restaurant industry job growth is expected to outpace the national economy this year, emphasizing the importance of industry to the nation's economy."

Added Andre Baksh, a Utah Tax Commission economist, "Restaurants can expect a slight growth, especially as the economy improves. We certainly aren't going to see growth at the same level of a few years ago, but it's getting better. People are getting over the financial shock of the recession. They're starting to break out of their shells and spend more." —

Restaurant closures

Ruby Tuesday • Five eateries statewide, except Park City location, 6585 N. Landmark Drive

Acme Burger Co. • 275 S. 200 West, Salt Lake City

Lone Star Steakhouse and Saloon • Sugar House, 1206 E. 2100 South