CEO Thomas Torgerson is the principal owner of Torgerson Properties, Inc. which was founded as a men's clothing store in 1929 by R. E. Torgerson. Torgerson Properties company operates more than two dozen hotels in Florida and Minnesota under such banners as Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Holiday Inn, and Super 8. Many of its properties are concentrated around the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Torgerson Properties also runs about 10 full-service restaurants under the Green Mill, Harvest Buffet, Otto's Feierhaus & Bierstube, Perkins Family Restaurant, and Torge's Live Sports Pub & Grill brand names.

This company brings Tex-Mex flavors to the wild Midwest. Tumbleweed operates and franchises about 60 Tumbleweed Southwest Grill locations in five states, primarily Kentucky, Ohio, and Indiana. The casual-dining locations feature burritos, chimichangas, and enchiladas, as well as mesquite-grilled steaks, ribs, and chicken. Other menu items include sandwiches, burgers, and seafood. Most of the restaurants are corporate-run. Founded in 1975, the company was taken private in 2003 by a group led by former CEO Terry Smith and majority investor Gerald Mansbach. It filed for bankruptcy in 2009.

This company offers something nostalgic for dinner. Silver Diner owns and operates about 15 restaurants in the Washington, DC/Baltimore metropolitan area that recreate the look and feel of a 1950s diner. The eateries, appointed with polished stainless steel, glass blocks, and tabletop jukeboxes, offer such time-honored diner fare as buttermilk pancakes, meatloaf, and apple pie. Silver Diner locations are typically open for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and late-night meals. CEO Bob Giaimo and executive chef Ype Von Hengst started the company in 1989.

Merlin Entertainments Group is a leading name in location based, family entertainment. Its aim is to deliver unique, memorable and rewarding experiences to millions of visitors across its growing estate, and it achieves this objective largely thanks to the commitment and passion of its managers and employees. Merlin’s brands, while being household names, will never fail to be distinctive, challenging and innovative. They will, in short, have attitude! They will deliver the best financial returns in the sector and demonstrate a record of growth in market share that will be unrivalled. In every respect and to every group of stakeholders Merlin will always be an exciting company to be involved with. As a global company we have a set of values or ideals that we all work to. Achieving these ideals for our employees makes our locations great places to work and for our guest great places to visit. Merlin Entertainments Group have four values that all company employees from our Chief Executive Officer, to our newest employee, recognise and strive to work to.

Center Parcs Limited founded in 1968, is a subsidiary of private equity firm The Blackstone Group. Center Parcs company operates four forested holiday villages, which attract vacationers by offering such amenities as villas, swimming holes, lakes, restaurants, shops, and spas. The leisure company's properties are in the UK, in Cumbria, Nottinghamshire, Suffolk, and Wiltshire. Each village sits on about 400 acres. All told, Center Parcs' holiday villages boast nearly 3,400 units in four categories ranging from standard villas to exclusive four-bedroom villas.

Contours Express caters to the ladies. Contours Express franchises a chain of women-only fitness facilities that offers weight-bearing equipment (rather than hydraulic equipment) especially designed to fit women's bodies. Contours Express claims that its CardioFit 29-minute workout decreases the risk of osteoporosis and provides faster results than standard gym equipment. There are currently more than 750 Contours Express fitness centers in the US and about 30 additional countries. Contours Express was founded in 1998 by fitness center veterans Daren Carter and Charlie Woodward.

Fans of hot wings can give a hoot about this company. Texas Wings is a leading operator of Hooters restaurants, with more than 40 locations around Texas. The eateries, franchised from Hooters of America, feature the popular chain's signature chicken wings, as well as other appetizers, sandwiches, salads, and seafood dishes. Texas Wings opened its first Hooters location in the West End entertainment district of Dallas in 1989; the location is often touted as "the world's largest Hooters." Controlled by president Kelly Hall, the company has agreed to be acquired by Chanticleer Holdings.

East Coast Hockey League oversees an association of semi-professional hockey teams affiliated with National Hockey League and American Hockey League. Better known as ECHL, it has franchises in about 20 markets across the US and serves as a development league for the pro ranks. ECHL teams compete during a seven-month regular season for a chance to win the Kelly Cup championship. The league oversees team ownership, marketing, and promotional efforts for its confederation of local sports clubs. The ECHL was established in 1988.

The Professional Bull Riders (PBR) promotes the sport of professional bull riding through more than 300 sanctioned events in Australia, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, and the US. Its flagship Built Ford Tough Series travels to about 30 cities and features the top riders in the sport. PBR also runs a Challenger Tour for up-and-coming riders, as well as two other tours for new riders. In addition, the organization sells sponsorships and negotiates rights to TV broadcasts. It boasts more than 1,200 members. Founded in 1992 by 20 riders, PBR is owned by private equity firm, Spire Capital Partners, along with a group of members and executives.

The California State Lottery Commission operates several games of chance offering big prizes while collecting money for the state's education budget. Players can choose from scratch tickets and daily numbers games, as well as the twice-weekly SuperLOTTO jackpot game. In addition, the California State Lottery produces a weekly TV show called The Big Spin offering more ways for contestants to win prizes. California also participates in the multi-state Mega Millions game. Created in 1985, the lottery contributes at least 34% of its proceeds to cover public education costs.

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