• by Tanya Gazdik , July 5, 2016

It’s a partnership you might not have seen coming: Ruby Tuesday is set to open a series of Tesla Supercharger Stations. 

The first station recently opened at the Ruby Tuesday location in Miner, Missouri with additional stations at other Ruby Tuesday locations currently in the planning stages or under construction. Superchargers are strategically placed to allow Tesla drivers to travel up to 270 miles, take a dining break at Ruby Tuesday and get back on the road at full charge. 

There seems to be a disconnect between the two companies' target demographics. 

The fast casual chain has 29 Ruby Tuesday restaurants in 44 states, 13 foreign countries, and Guam. About 6 years ago, the chain was trying to shift from its origins in the bar-and-grill category to a higher-price-point tier. But for the past few years, the chain has been shifting back to its roots, emphasizing value in its marketing. 

Tesla models start at $70,000 for a base S70 up to $105,000, the base for a P85D (all-wheel drive).  The company says its primary target demographic is 30 to 60 years old in upper middle-class families with a household income of $80,000 and higher. As for psychographics, the target is consumers with a concern about gas consumption, economic value in cars who have a desire for an affordable luxury car with high safety value.

“We’re thrilled to partner with Tesla Motors to offer our guests a place where they can charge their Tesla vehicle while enjoying a delicious meal,” stated David Skena, chief marketing officer of Ruby Tuesday, in a release. “Expanding the Supercharger network to include Ruby Tuesday is good for both Tesla owners and our restaurants alike. We look forward to deepening our relationship with Tesla and opening additional Supercharger Stations in Ruby Tuesday markets around the country in the near future.”

The Tesla Supercharger is substantially more powerful than any existing charging technology, providing up to 120 kilowatts of power and replenishing up to 170 miles of range in 30 minutes.

The Tesla Supercharger Station at Ruby Tuesday’s Miner location is now hosted on Tesla’s interactive Web page and in-vehicle navigation. Tesla owners can use the 17” touchscreens in their cars to easily plan trips and locate the property.