Truluck’s Dallas General Manager Ryan talks leadership, service, and “making it happen” every day.

For Ryan Studt, hospitality isn’t just a profession — it’s a calling. Long before he was leading high-performing restaurant teams, he was learning the art of genuine connection in his small hometown of Ute, Iowa.

He still remembers walking into Ruth’s Sweet Shop & Café, where Ruth would greet him and his brother with a smile that made them feel like family. A quick stop next door at Kenny’s Market meant more warm hellos and familiar faces. And every holiday at his grandmother’s house, laughter and love filled the air.

“I didn’t realize it then,” Ryan says, “but that sense of belonging is what I’ve been chasing ever since. That feeling of being welcomed, cared for, and part of something special, that’s what I try to recreate in every restaurant I lead.”

A Journey Shaped by Hospitality

Ryan began his restaurant career as a busboy at The Rotisserie inside the DoubleTree Hotel in Kansas City. “I’ll admit,” he laughs, “I only started because my older brother worked there. He was the coolest thing since sliced bread, and I wanted to be just like him.”

That first glimpse into the dynamic world of hospitality awakened something in him. “It opened my eyes to all the personalities and energy that make a restaurant thrive,” he recalls.

From there, he joined J. Alexander’s before moving to seafood restaurant McCormick & Schmick’s, where he climbed the ladder from server to general manager. “That’s where I learned fine dining and what true consistency looks like,” he says. “My first GM, Mary, told me something I still live by: ‘Make it happen.’ Those words stuck with me.”

That mindset carried him to Austin, Texas, where he took on his first general manager role in the Domain. It was there that he first encountered Truluck’s, though at the time he was on the outside looking in.

“Back then, Truluck’s was the benchmark, my inspiration, and my competition,” he says. “I’d go there just to see what world-class hospitality looked like up close. I didn’t know it then, but Truluck’s was already shaping the way I thought about leadership and service.”

After moving to Houston to join the Eddie V’s team, Ryan continued honing his craft under the guidance of exceptional mentors. “My chef, Adam, taught me that your team will go through anything with you if they trust you, believe in you, and know you care. That’s a lesson that’s stayed with me ever since.”

Finding a Home at Truluck’s

When an old friend reached out to tell him Truluck’s was hiring, Ryan didn’t hesitate. “That message was the spark that started this incredible journey,” he says. “From day one, it felt like home.”

At Truluck’s, Ryan found what he’d been seeking all along, a place where excellence and empathy coexist. “When you’re surrounded by people who care deeply about each other and the guest experience, the results are extraordinary,” he says. “The precision, the pride, the teamwork, it’s something you can feel the moment you walk through the door.”

Ryan’s leadership philosophy is simple: How you do anything is how you do everything.

“I believe in purpose-driven leadership,” he explains. “Every detail matters, and every action should have intention. But Truluck’s has also taught me that while striving for perfection is important, making space for humanity is just as essential. True excellence happens when people feel trusted, valued, and inspired.”

Beyond the Dining Room

Outside of work, Ryan channels his drive into gravel cycling, and a healthy appreciation for tacos and great coffee. “That’s my trifecta,” he laughs. He’s currently training for long-distance gravel races, including Big Sugar in Bentonville and the Castell Gravel Grind, with a goal to compete in a 100-mile event in 2026. His bike, aptly named Falkor after the luck dragon from The NeverEnding Story, is his constant companion.

When he’s not on the road, Ryan’s favorite pastime is going to concerts with his mom. “She’s my biggest supporter and the reason I am who I am,” he says. “We’ve seen everyone from Queen and The Rolling Stones to Garth Brooks and Black Sabbath. Those moments with her are the ones I’ll always treasure.”

Paying It Forward

As for what’s next, Ryan’s focus is on developing others. “The next chapter of my journey is all about growing the next generation of leaders,” he says. “I’ve had incredible mentors who helped shape me, and now it’s my turn to pay that forward. Watching someone discover their potential and grow into it, that’s what truly inspires me.”

For Ryan, success isn’t measured by titles or accolades. It’s defined by the moments when a guest feels seen, a team feels united, and a dining room hums with quiet excellence.

“Hospitality at its best is about connection,” he says. “It’s about creating an experience that stays with people long after they’ve left the table. That’s what we do at Truluck’s, and that’s why I love what I do.”

Meet Ryan and revel in the remarkable at our Truluck’s Dallas location. Your table is waiting.