Atlanta Hockey Club owns and operates the Atlanta Thrashers professional hockey team, which joined the National Hockey League as an expansion franchise in 1999. The young club finished dead last in its first season but has improved steadily; the Thrashers clinched a playoff spot for the first time at the end of the 2006-07 season. Philips Arena, which is owned by parent Atlanta Spirit, serves as home to the Thrashers and sister sports franchise, the Atlanta Hawks. The Atlanta Spirit investment group acquired both the teams from media titan Time Warner in 2004.

The Hoosier Lottery began selling lottery tickets on October 13, 1989, after a majority if Indiana citizens voted "yes" on a 1988 voter referendum. Within less than a year, the $6 million in start up funding was repaid to the state. Through our mission, Hoosier Lottery employees have consistently offered fun and exciting games via our 4,000 retail partners statewide. The amazing amount of money generated is awarded to players in the form of prizes, and net income is turned over to the Office of the State Treasurer to be directed to state funds. Click here to learn more about where the money goes. Money is generated from the sale of both instant-win games and lotto drawings. The Hoosier Lottery also features PowerBall, a multistate lotto game that generates million-dollar jackpots. The first winning PowerBall ticket was sold in Indiana and the state leads the nation in PowerBall winners, with 36 as of January 2009.

Butterfly Life wants every woman to fly twice as high. The company is a women's fitness franchise that combines fitness with nutrition, psychology, and fashion counseling. Its fitness facilities combine standard workout and nutritional services with Life Vision, its proprietary fitness seminar and lecture video programming that the company plays in its facilities and sells on DVD and VHS. The company's franchised fitness centers are located throughout the US. Butterfly Life was founded in 2004 by CEO Mark Golob, chairman Thomas Gergley, and Mark Mastrov, former CEO of 24 Hour Fitness Worldwide.

The Smith family has been serving the food for generations. Founded in 1936, Smith & Sons Foods operates 10 S&S Cafeterias in Georgia offering such home-style menu items as chicken and dumplings, beef stew, and country fried steak. The restaurants, which are found in South Carolina, and Tennessee, offer take-out service as well as dine-in seating for both lunch and dinner. In addition to its cafeterias, Smith & Sons offers catering and institutional food services through its Smith & Sons Food Administrators unit. The company's restaurants and catering operations are supplied through its State Wholesale Food subsidiary. The family-owned business was started by patriarch J. A. Smith, Jr.

Amy's outlandish ice-cream scoopers (staff members sport unusual piercings or funky hats and are encouraged to put on a show) dish out ice cream from a rotating list of some 300 flavors, including Guinness and Shiner Bock (that's right, beer). Smoothies, malts, shakes, and other treats are all made from the rich butterfat ice cream. Amy's Ice Creams, Inc. operates more than a dozen stores in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Amy's also caters and has wholesale operations. Its ice cream is available at dozens of Austin and Houston eateries. Owner and CEO Amy Simmons founded Amy's Ice Creams in 1984.

CEO Walter Isenberg and his business partner Zack Neumeyer started Sage Hospitality Resources in 1984. Sage Hospitality Resources is wise to the ways of luxurious lodgings. Sage Hospitality Resources company is a leading hotel developer and operator with about 50 properties in more than 20 states. Its portfolio includes full- and limited-service hotels operating under such banners as Marriott, Starwood, and Hilton; it also has independent properties such as The Nines in Portland, Oregon, and The Oxford Hotel in Denver. In addition to its hotels business, the company operates the Sage Restaurant Group, which develops restaurants and lounges adjacent to its hotels in major urban locations.

Cosi's recipe calls for one part coffee house, one part sandwich shop, and one part cocktail bar. The company operates and franchises about 150 eclectic Così cafes in almost 20 states offering premium and specialty coffees and made-to-order sandwiches. Its menu also features breakfast items (including its bagel-inspired Squagels), salads, soups, and desserts. Most of the company's restaurants also offer dinner and drinks after 5 p.m., while its Cosi Downtown units (primarily located in non-residential business districts) close in the evening. Cosi also offers delivery and catering services. About 100 of the locations are company-owned while the rest are franchised.

Boston hockey fans roar in approval -- and in disapproval -- of their Bruins. Operated by Boston Professional Hockey Association, the team is the third-oldest surviving franchise in the National Hockey League and has made 17 trips to the Stanley cup finals, winning five championship titles (the last in 1972). The storied hockey club, which plays host at TD Garden, has boasted several Hall of Fame players on the roster, including Phil Esposito, Cam Neely, and Bobby Orr. Formed in 1924, the Bruins franchise has been owned since 1974 by Jeremy Jacobs, chairman of concessions giant Delaware North.The Boston Professional Hockey Association Inc. is the corporation that operates the Boston Bruins, the first American franchise in the National Hockey League. Playing in a state-of-the-art arena, the FleetCenter, and enjoying the stable ownership of Jeremy M. Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of the highly successful Delaware North Companies, the Bruins are one of hockey's most successful franchises. On the ice, the team has known periods of greatness, and over the last three decades of the 20th century, it was one of the most consistent winners in all of team sports, making the Stanley Cup playoffs 29 consecutive seasons.

Star City Holdings owns and manages the casino and gaming facilities, which include 1,500 gaming machines and 200 table games (baccarat, blackjack, craps, roulette). The complex, located on Sydney Harbor, also houses a 480-room hotel and 150 apartments, as well as two theaters, seven restaurants, seven bars, and a conference/banquet center. It is the only casino in Australia's largest city (as well as in the entire state of New South Wales). Entertainment and leisure company TABCORP Holdings bought Star City in 1999.

The Washington Capitals professional hockey franchise joined the National Hockey League in 1974 and has reached the Stanley Cup finals just once, losing to the Detroit Red Wings in 1998. The team was founded by Abe Pollin, the late owner of the Washington Wizards, and plays host at the Verizon Center in Washington, DC. Monumental Sports & Entertainment, a holding company formed in 2010 and controlled by Ted Leonsis, owns the Caps franchise along with the Wizards, the Washington Mystics of the WNBA, and the Verizon Center.

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