Carlson Restaurants Worldwide (CRW) has a lot of Friday's for which to be thankful. A leader in full-service restaurants, the company operates and franchises more than 900 T.G.I. Friday's casual dining locations across the US and in about 60 other countries. The restaurant chain offers a menu featuring beef, chicken, and seafood entrees along with a selection of popular appetizers. About 300 T.G.I. Friday's units are company-owned while the rest are franchised. The company also operates Pick Up Stix, an Asian-themed fast-casual chain with more than 90 locations in California, Nevada, and Arizona. CRW is a subsidiary of travel and leisure conglomerate Carlson Companies.

Choice Hotels Europe knows that travelers have plenty of choices when deciding where to bed down for the evening. The company operates more than 400 hotels in France, Germany, the UK, and about a dozen other European countries. Its portfolio includes properties operate under the Clarion, Comfort Inn, and Quality brands, ranging from limited service to full service hotels in the economy, mid-scale and upscale segments. In addition, the company also offers franchising, as well as contract management for other property owners. Choice Hotels Europe is a subsidiary of Choice Hotels International.

Founded in 1981 by E.L. "Bert" Pooser, with two hotels, IMIC has developed into an award winning hotel and management company. Made up of exuberant employees, with a range of capabilities and experience, IMIC specializes in operations, human resources, sales, marketing, design, development, finance and accounting. Investors, partners, employees, and guests alike can be assured that every aspect will be approached with integrity and expertise. IMIC currently owns and/or manages 15 hotels, suites, and inns covering the southeast. The properties now in operation consist of Hampton Inns, Wingate by Wyndhams, Quality Inns & Suites, Comfort Suites, Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, and The Inn at USC, a historic boutique hotel located on the campus of the University of South Carolina.

SpringHealth Leisure hopes that going private will be its springboard back to fiscal health. The company, which operates gym facilities in the UK, was taken private by chairman Sandy Anderson in 2005. The company's five London-area SpringHealth Leisure Clubs typically offer such amenities as swimming, court sports, makeovers, and massage in addition to aerobics classes, personal trainers, and weight machines. SpringHealth Leisure operates the publicly owned swim and fitness facility (Pools on the Park) at Richmond. Prior to Anderson's move to privatize the company, it had already divested nine other health clubs and a restaurant.

A pioneer in the industry, Isle of Capri Casinos was the first developer to enter the burgeoning Mississippi market in August 1992. Over the years the company's portfolio has expanded to 15 casinos operating under four brands in six states. The company's success is the result of a strong business plan designed to deliver regional gaming and leisure experiences matched to customer preferences.With solid regional diversification across the U.S., Isle of Capri has a seasoned management team who have designed and are implementing a strategic business plan to increase value, through strong fiscal discipline and targeted operating strategies. Further, Isle is implementing new human resources programs to reward the team for implementing and executing the operating plan, from general managers to line employees.

The Club Company (UK) operates ten country clubs throughout the UK, including Castle Royle Golf and Country Club in Reading, Berkshire; The Tytherington Club in Macclesfield, Cheshire; and Nizels Golf and Country Club in Hildenborough, Kent. While specializing in golf facilities, the company markets its clubs as a place for families to enjoy a range of health and fitness activities in a country club environment. The Club Company generates revenue primarily through membership subscriptions, greens fees, and food and beverages. Boundary Capital, an asset and project management company focused on property and corporate transactions, owns the company.

You might say this company has a premier presence on the UK leisure scene. Whitbread is one of that country's leading hospitality and dining holding companies with operations ranging from hotels to coffee houses to restaurants. It owns Premier Inn, the leading budget hotel chain in the UK, with more than 570 locations. Whitbread also owns Costa, a leading chain of coffee shops with more than 1,500 outlets across more than 20 countries. In addition to those core operations, Whitbread is involved in the UK dining industry through its Beefeater and Table Table casual dining brands and the Brewers Fayre family restaurant chain.

Schwartz Brothers Restaurants operates a half dozen casual and upscale dining locations in the Seattle area. Its operations include Chandler's Crabhouse, Spazzo Italian Grill & Wine Bar, and Revolution Bar & Grill, as well as a handful of steakhouses operating under the name Daniel's Broiler Prime Steaks & Chops. Schwartz Brothers provides banquet and catering services through Daniel's Catering, while its Gretchen's Shoebox Express unit offers box lunch services to downtown locations. The family-owned business was started by Bill and John Schwartz, who opened their first restaurant in 1970.

MLB oversees the game of professional baseball in North America that includes 30 franchises in 28 cities across the US and in Canada. The teams operate as a separate business but each is regulated and governed by MLB. The league sets official rules, regulates team ownership, and collects licensing fees for merchandise. It also sells national broadcasting rights and distributes fees to the teams. (Regional broadcast rights are held by each franchise.) MLB was formed when the rival National and American Leagues joined together in 1903.

This company is pinning its hopes on the flavor of the Big Island to draw a few mainlanders into its restaurants. Kona Grill operates about 20 upscale casual-dining restaurants offering both seafood and American dishes with an island twist. The restaurants serve both lunch and diner menus, and they offer a wide selection of sushi. In addition to dining, each location typically has a bar area for happy hour with margaritas and martinis. The restaurants are typically found near upscale shopping areas in Arizona, Texas, and about 20 other states. Former chairman and CEO Marcus Jundt and his family own about 20% of Kona Grill.

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