Question-and-Answer Session
Operator
Thank you. (Operator instructions) Our first question comes from Jeff Omohundro.
Jeff Omohundro – Wells Fargo Securities
Thank you. Just some clarification on those comments regarding October, in light of the full year outlook for down 18% to 20%, is it fair to say that the improvement that that would suggest in Q4 primarily reflects the far easier prior year comparison rather than any pick up in fundamental traffic trends, is that the right read?
Mike O’Donnell
Yes, Jeff I think that is the right read. I think as expected the rate of decline has slowed given the overlap of last year’s fourth quarter.
Jeff Omohundro – Wells Fargo Securities
Does it feel like it has been that you have kind of passed the bottom?
Mike O’Donnell
That is a million dollar question, right, yes, I would tell you that intuitively I have that feeling, we are seeing some strength as I said in the private dining space. We are seeing some intermittent very positive days overall still challenged but I do feel like we are seeing – I hope again, I guess that hope is not a strategy but I think that we are seeing if not the bottom real close.
Jeff Omohundro – Wells Fargo Securities
Then the other thing I wanted to follow up on was the comments regarding beef and commodities in 2010. I do know it is early but can you give us any sense of direction in terms of the outlook that you are considering for beef and whether you would consider contracting or (inaudible)?
Mike O’Donnell
Jeff, I think that at this point the intelligence that we are gathering is that beef is likely to be pretty neutral here in the first half of 2010 and so we continue each week to evaluate some offers if you will to lock, our desire is to lock in 2010 and I think philosophically if we can secure pricing that is at or below our 2009 average cost we would likely do so.
Jeff Omohundro – Wells Fargo Securities
Very good thanks.
Operator
Our next question comes from Jason West.
Jason West – Deutsche Bank Securities
Yes thanks, just a couple of things. One, I wonder if you could clarify that the same-store sales guidance you gave for the full year down 18% to 20% is that for the blended company or is that just for Ruth’s Chris?
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