Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. announced plans to open a new Morton's The Steakhouse in Shanghai in a joint venture structure with an unnamed local investor group.

"We're excited about the opportunity to open our first Morton's in beautiful and historic Shanghai with its thriving business and retail environment," said Christopher J. Artinian, president and CEO of Morton's Restaurant Group Inc.

The company has signed a lease to open a new Morton's steakhouse in the Shanghai International Finance Center, located away from the heart of the city in the Pudong area of Shanghai. The company reports the restaurant is planned to open this year.

The joint venture will expand Morton's growing international presence in Asia and become the sixth Morton's steakhouse outside the United States. Morton's Restaurant Group Inc. will control all of the restaurant's operations.