Generation, which has been growing through acquisitions, was founded in 1996 by CEO Mark Daley. His father, Hugh M. Daley, was one of the original Holiday Inn franchisees in 1959. The Generation Companies develops, owns, and manages more than 25 extended-stay hotels. Brands in the firm's portfolio include Suburban Extended Stay Hotel, Candlewood Suites, and Days Inn & Suites; its properties are located in eight states in the US: Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, North Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia. The Generation Companies is also active in real estate development, with some $200 million in real estate assets under management.

The Detroit Red Wings are flying high in the National Hockey League. Founded in 1926, the team is one of the most successful franchises in NHL history with 11 Stanley Cup championships (the last in 2008). Detroit has been a perennial playoff contender for more than a decade and regularly draws packed houses at Joe Louis Arena. Its roster has boasted such Hall of Fame players as Jack Adams, Gordie Howe, Terry Sawchuk, and "Black" Jack Stewart. Mike and Marian Ilitch bought the team in 1982 and run the franchise through their holding company, Ilitch Holdings. The Ilitch family also owns the Detroit Tigers and pizza chain Little Caesar.

The United States Tennis Association (USTA) serves as the governing body for the sport of tennis in the US. It sets the rules of play and develops and promotes the sport at the local and professional levels. USTA also owns and operates the US Open, the annual Grand Slam event held at Arthur Ashe Stadium in Flushing Meadows, New York. In addition, the not-for-profit organization selects players to compete in such tournaments as the Davis Cup, the Fed Cup, and the Olympics. Founded in 1881 as the United States National Lawn Tennis Association, the USTA has grown to more than 700,000 members from all age and skill levels.

The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission operates several numbers games (Mass Cash, Cash Winfall, Mega Millions), as well as a variety of scratch-off games. Massachusetts also participates in the 12-state Mega Millions lottery. State law requires that at least 45% of lottery proceeds must go to pay prizes, while a maximum of 15% can be used for operating expenses. The remainder of the commission's take is distributed throughout Massachusetts to fund such local services as fire and police protection, as well as for education programs. The Massachusetts State Lottery Commission was created in 1971.

Foodies with a burning passion for seafood might turn to this company. Formerly JCS Holdings, Ignite Restaurant Group operates Joe's Crab Shack, a leading casual dining chain with more than 110 locations in Texas, California, Florida, and about 25 other states. The eateries feature a wide variety of grilled, fried, and stuffed seafood, along with sandwiches and sides. The seafood chain is known for its fun and quirky surf-inspired atmosphere where the servers are often part of the entertainment. In addition to its flagship restaurant brand, Ignite operates a small number of Brick House Tavern + Tap locations. The company is backed by private equity group J. H. Whitney Capital Partners.

This king rules one whopper of a fast-food empire. Burger King Holdings operates the world's #2 hamburger chain based on locations (behind McDonald's) with more than 12,000 restaurants in the US and more than 70 other countries. In addition to its popular Whopper sandwich, the chain offers a selection of burgers, chicken sandwiches, salads, and breakfast items, along with beverages, desserts, and sides. Many of the eateries are stand-alone locations offering dine-in seating and drive-through services; the chain also includes units in high-traffic locations such as airports and shopping malls. More than 1,400 of the fast food restaurants are company-owned, while the rest are owned and operated by franchisees.

Crystal Palace F.C. (2000) owns and operates Crystal Palace F.C., a professional soccer team that completes in the UK's Football League Championship. Known to supporters as The Eagles, the team was formed in 1905 and took its name from London's Crystal Palace, a building made of wrought iron and glass built to house the Great Exhibition of 1851 (the first in a series of World's Fair exhibitions). Crystal Palace F.C. has called Selhurt Park its home ground since 1924. Controlled by chairman Simon Jordan since 2000, the company was put into administration in early 2010.

At Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., we like to say that our “soul” purpose is to lead and build great brands. For more than 50 years, we’ve been doing just that by leading the “Quick Quality” segment of the food and beverage industry. Dunkin’ Brands goes beyond what people expect from a traditional quick service experience to deliver best-in-class menu items to eat, drink, and enjoy. At Dunkin’ Brands, Inc., our "soul" purpose is to lead and build brands. For more than 50 years, we’ve been doing just that by leading the Quick Quality segment of the food and beverage industry.

This Planet serves a little glitz and glamour with its burgers and fries. Planet Hollywood International operates and franchises a chain of about 15 showbiz-themed restaurants offering casual-dining fare (burgers, steaks, seafood) along with a collection of movie memorabilia and celebrity merchandise. The eateries are found mostly in tourist hotspots such as Las Vegas, London, and New York City's Times Square. The Planet Hollywood name also graces a Las Vegas resort casino (operated by Harrah's Entertainment) and the company owns the Buca di Beppo chain through subsidiary BUCA. Chairman Robert Earl, who founded Planet Hollywood in 1991, controls the company in partnership with Bay Harbour Management.

Hoosier Park opened its doors as the first pari-mutuel horse racing facility in the state of Indiana Sept. 1, 1994. The route to legalizing pari-mutuel racing stems back to Nov. 5, 1968 when a statewide advisory referendum on pari-mutuel wagering was conducted. The referendum failed at the state level, but the Madison County voters supported the measure by a slim margin. Madison County continued its support of pari-mutuel wagering through the next two decades, and pari-mutuel gambling was made legal in the General Assembly March 16, 1989. Anderson became the first city in the state to submit an application for a pari-mutuel racetrack Oct. 31, 1990.

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