In 1972, Houlihan's first opened its doors in Kansas City with a progressive, eclectic menu and energetic bar scene. Ferns hung throughout, artifacts cluttered the walls and tapestries made by San Francisco hippies formed the ceiling. Caviar burgers, roasted duck, foot-long hot dogs and fresh carrot juice were just a few original menu items so ahead for its time. It was hot.Before long, there were a lot of 'casual dining' restaurants opening and call us crazy, but they looked a whole lot like us. We tried to be flattered. Some grew really big, and by the '90s, the whole 'casual dining' landscape was pretty me-too. Instead of watching the consumer, the industry seemed more worried about what competitors were doing. Casual dining lost its way, and in doing so lost its edge. Fast forward to 2002. That's when we had our 'Aha!' moment (as Oprah would say). New leadership, new ideas, new inspiration. We completely re-imagined ourselves, and got back in touch with the consumer. New menus. New plates. New building design, new soundtrack. Stylish uniforms. And a modern, warm restaurant design with an open kitchen and prominent bar. Today, our company is built entirely around what the progressive consumer seeks in a restaurant + bar experience. And we plan to keep it that way.Forget 'casual dining.' That's an industry term so out of touch with how consumers eat and drink today. For premium quality and style; fare that's at times familiar and other times adventurous and a laid-back modern setting, Houlihan's is a true original.

The Pepsi Center is Rocky Mountain High on entertaining the masses in Denver. The arena serves primarily as the home court for the Denver Nuggets basketball team and as home ice for the Colorado Avalanche professional hockey club. It also hosts more than 200 other sporting contests, concerts, and entertainment events. The Pepsi Center includes such amenities as casual and fine dining restaurants, as well as conference facilities. The arena opened in 1999 with a Celine Dion concert. The $180 million facility is owned by Kroenke Sports Enterprises (KSE), and is located near Denver's LoDo entertainment district.

Keeping the drive-in burger joint alive sounds like a good idea to this company. Sonic Corp. operates the largest chain of quick-service drive-ins in the US, with more than 3,500 locations in more than 40 states. (The chain has a significant presence in the South, namely in Texas.) The eateries offer a menu of hamburgers, chili cheese hot dogs (Coneys), onion rings, and tater tots, along with breakfast burritos, wrap sandwiches, and frozen desserts. Most locations offer drive-thru service and some have indoor seating. The company operates and has a majority interest in about 470 of the restaurants, while the rest are operated by franchisees.

The Kansas City Royals Baseball Corporation owns and operates the Kansas City Royals professional baseball franchise. An expansion team originally bankrolled by Ewing Kauffman, the Royals joined Major League Baseball in 1969 and finished first in its division six times in 15 years with the help of Hall of Fame third baseman George Brett. The franchise boasts two American League pennants and one World Series championship in 1985. The team plays host at Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium. David Glass, who formerly served as CEO of Wal-Mart, has owned the Royals since 2000.

Canterbury Park Racetrack and Card Club is Minnesota’s premier entertainment destination. Located in Shakopee, Minnesota, just 25 minutes from downtown Minneapolis & St. Paul. Canterbury Park is home to Live Racing, Simulcast Racing and a 24/7 Card Club featuring Texas Hold’em, Blackjack and more. Along with special events like the Midwest’s largest Craft Show and thrilling snowmobile racing, Canterbury Park truly is home to Fun & Games like no place else. Canterbury Park Holding Corporation conducts pari-mutuel wagering operations and hosts unbanked card games at its Canterbury Park racetrack and card room facility in Shakopee, Minnesota. The company operates in three segments: Horse Racing, Card Room, and Concessions.

Planet Smoothie Franchises operates a chain of more than 125 franchised smoothie stands in about 20 states. The outlets offer about 30 types of blended fruit drinks with such names as Frozen Goat, Mr. Mongo, and Spazz. Enthusiasts can customize the beverages by adding blends of supplements and vitamins (Blasts) designed to increase energy, help burn fat, or aid immune systems. Planet Smoothie Franchises, LLC also has a small number of Planet Smoothie Cafes featuring salads, sandwiches, and wraps. Entrepreneur Martin Sprock opened the first Planet Smoothie in 1995. Planet Smoothie Franchises, LLC is owned by Petrus Brands, a holding company backed by private equity firm Edmonds Capital.

Pizza is the in thing for this company. Pizza Inn operates a chain of franchised quick-service pizza restaurants, with about 310 locations in the US and the Middle East. The eateries feature a menu of pizzas, pastas, and sandwiches, along with salads and desserts. Most locations offer buffet-style and table service, while other units are strictly delivery and carryout units. The chain also has limited-menu express carryout units in convenience stores and airport terminals, and on college campuses. Pizza Inn's domestic locations are concentrated in more than 15 southern states, with about half located in Texas and North Carolina. Chairman Mark Schwarz owns more than 35% of the company.

WHI was founded in 1958 to develop Holiday Inn properties. The independent hotel management company oversees about 30 properties across the US, with a portfolio of brands such as Marriott, Doubletree, and Holiday Inn (from InterContinental Hotels Group). Its clients are mainly full-service hotels, but also include all-suite, conference center, extended-stay, and resort facilities. Its management services include financial services, operations (recruiting, training, and labor management), and sales and marketing. It also has a division devoted to construction and project management.

Genting Singapore PLC company is majority owned by Malaysian holding company Genting Berhad, and was founded in 1984 to invest in leisure businesses outside of Malaysia. Genting Singapore acquires, develops, and manages resorts and casinos in Australia (the Burswood Resort in Perth), the Bahamas (Lucayan Beach Resort and Casino), the Philippines (Subic Bay Resort and Casino), and the UK (where it operates some 40 casinos under brands such as Maxim Casinos, Circus Casinos, and Mint Casinos). The UK has accounted for nearly half of Genting Singapore's sales as a result of its acquisition of UK gaming company Stanley Leisure (now Genting Stanley).

Lone Star Steakhouse restaurants deliver an authentic Texas themed experience, offering truly unique and flavorful food and outstanding service to every guest. What made Lone Star famous is our mesquite-grilled steaks, which are hand-cut fresh daily at each restaurant. Our menu includes "Texas-sized" portions of food and great value. Our menu offers great variety beyond steak … salmon, ribs, sandwiches, burgers and more.We offer a great fun and casual atmosphere, perfect for any size group, and we also offer a fun full-service bar at all locations. Lone Star is a “destination restaurant.” That is, if your destination is good food and big fun. Upbeat country music, Texas artifacts, and our excellent service standards enhance the Lone Star experience. After a December, 2006 acquisition by an affiliate of a private equity firm, the Lone Star brand began a new and exciting era. Our commitment to quality and service is unwavering and we have created some new excitement and continue to focus on marketing, remodeling, conversion of existing restaurants and ultimately the expansion of the Lone Star brand.

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