This business hardly takes a carefree attitude towards roundball. Cavaliers Operating Company owns and operates the Cleveland Cavaliers professional basketball team and its home court, Quicken Loans Arena. The Cavs joined the National Basketball Association in 1970 as part of an expansion that included the Portland Trail Blazers and Buffalo Braves (now the Los Angeles Clippers). While Cleveland has not yet earned an NBA championship, the franchise did reach the final round of the playoffs in 2007 (losing to the San Antonio Spurs). Quicken Loans founder Dan Gilbert has controlled the team since 2005; the family of original owner Gordon Gund continues to have a minority stake in the Cavs.

Park Resorts is a leading campground operator in the UK with more than 35 vacation spots throughout the country. The parks offer accommodations for recreational vehicles (caravans), as well as caravan rentals and some vacation homes. Park Resorts' properties also provide such amenities as beaches, indoor pools, and other recreational or entertainment facilities. Private equity firm GI Partners controls the company.

This company puts fast-food yummies in a whole lot of tummies. YUM! Brands is the largest fast-food operator in the world in terms of number of locations, with more than 37,000 outlets in about 110 countries. (It trails only hamburger giant McDonald's in sales.) The company's flagship chains include #1 chicken fryer KFC (with more than 16,200 units), top pizza joint Pizza Hut (more than 13,200), and quick-service Mexican leader Taco Bell (more than 5,800). YUM! also operates the Long John Silver's seafood chain, along with several hundred A&W root beer and burger stands. Franchisees, affiliates, and licensed operators run about 80% of the company's restaurants.

Fitcorp helps Boston residents burn off those baked beans. The company builds and manages about 10 fitness centers in the Boston area, with a total membership of about 14,000. The clubs offer the usual cardio and yoga classes, in addition to services such as massages, acupuncture, nutrition and fitness seminars, personal training, and health screenings. Through the company's Corporate Fitness Benefit Program, employees of Boston area companies can join Fitcorp at reduced membership rates and participate in fitness and wellness programs delivered at company's worksite centers; the program serves more than 175 companies. Fitcorp was founded in 1979 by president and CEO Gary Klencheski.

This company has gotten ahead in the restaurant business by holding on to a bit of the past. Cracker Barrel Old Country Store owns and operates more than 590 of its flagship restaurants known for their country kitsch, rustic decor, and down-home cooking. The eateries, located in more than 40 states, offer mostly standard American fare, such as chicken, ham, and roast beef dishes, but they are most popular as breakfast spots. Each Cracker Barrel location features a retail area where patrons can buy hand-blown glassware, cast iron cookware, and woodcrafts, as well as jellies and old-fashioned candies. Most of the restaurants are found along interstate highways and target hungry travelers.

The not-for-profit zoo occupies 55-acres in Hermann Park at the heart of Houston's cultural district. It is home to more than 4,500 animals from about 800 species and hosts about 1.5 million visitors per year. Facilities include the McGovern Children's Zoo, Kipp Aquarium, the tropical bird house, Texas Wetlands, and the Wildlife Carousel. The zoo participates in programs that oversee the breeding of more than 40 endangered animal species. Several of its facilities may be reserved for private functions and private tours are offered "behind the scenes." The Houston Zoo was founded in 1922 to house a bison donated by the US government.

Gondola Group is the leading UK casual dining group operating PizzaExpress, ASK, Zizzi, BYRON and Kettners, together with a number of smaller brands.The Group employs approximately 13,500 people, serving over 38 million meals a year in over 600 restaurants. Hop aboard this company to take an epicurean journey to Italy. Gondola Group operates more than 580 casual dining restaurants in the UK under the banners PizzaExpress, ASK, and Zizzi. PizzaExpress is a leading purveyor of gourmet pizzas with about 350 locations designed to appeal to hip urbanites, while ASK is popular for its broad menu of Italian pasta and pizza favorites served at more than 110 units. Zizzi, with about 100 outposts, offers authentic dishes Italian served in an upscale, contemporary setting. Gondola is controlled by private equity firm Cinven.

Lane Hospitality, a division of Lane Industries, is a Northbrook, Illinois-based hospitality company that has successfully owned and managed hotel properties since 1986. Formed by the Lane family with three hotels, we currently have 23 properties and nearly 3,400 guestrooms in our portfolio, and are continuing to expand. We work with such brands as Hilton, Marriott, Intercontinental Hotels Group, Radisson and AmeriSuites.

If it has anything to do with flavor, it has everything to do with Bahama Buck’s. From irresistibly delicious Sno creations to extremely satisfying Island Smoothies - nobody serves up the ultimate tropical indulgence like Bahama Buck’s. We consider flavor to be an art form and infuse it into every aspect of our business. Bahama Buck’s island indulgences are just one component of the total Bahama Buck’s experience. Bahama Buck’s adds a new dimension to frozen desserts by offering a unique tropical sensory experience; our shops are island inspired, comfortable and uplifting destinations where people can create their perfect all-day dessert, relax and connect with friends. Bahama Buck’s offers the perfect island escape for today’s active consumers who want a “taste of paradise” without the long weekend.

Richardson Sports owns and operates the Carolina Panthers professional football franchise, which joined the National Football League as an expansion team in 1993 (along with the Jacksonville Jaguars). While still quite new to the league, the team reached its first NFC Championship berth just three years later and earned a trip to the Super Bowl at the end of the 2004 season. (Carolina's championship run ended with a loss to the New England Patriots.) Jerry Richardson, a former wide receiver for the Baltimore Colts (now the Indianapolis Colts), has controlled the Panthers since spearheading the franchise's formation.

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