Gold's Gym, which first opened in Venice Beach, California in 1965, has more than 700 gyms in nearly 30 countries, with franchises accounting for most of its locations. The chain boasts more than 3 million members. In addition to opening franchises, the firm buys smaller regional health clubs and converts them to Gold's Gyms. The company also licenses the Gold's Gym name for products such as fitness equipment and accessories, luggage, t-shirts, and men's and women's sportswear. Gold's Gym is owned by TRT Holdings, the umbrella company for Dallas-based investor Robert Rowling's holdings.

CMR is a giant in the Mexican restaurant world. Focused on casual dining, CMR operates more than 100 restaurants located throughout Mexico (but primarily located in large metropolitan areas). Although it does have its share of restaurants offering authentic Mexican dishes, CMR's food and restaurant concepts transcend the taco shack cliche. The company bar and restaurant brands include Wings, Fonda Mexicana, La Desitileria, and Cocina y Pan as well as a single high end restaurant called El lago. The company also operates about 30 Chili's locations franchised from Brinker International. Founder Don Joaquin Vargas Gomez and his family control 70% of CMR.

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.

Global Entertainment Corporation is helping to bring sports to the hinterlands. The event and entertainment company, through its various subsidiaries, offers project management services to midsized communities looking to develop event centers and sports facilities. It also offers facilities and venue management and ticketing services, as well as sponsorship and marketing consulting. Through its WPHL (Western Professional Hockey League) subsidiary, Global Entertainment manages the Central Hockey League, a development league affiliated with the National Hockey League. WPHL Holdings, which is affiliated with chairman James Treliving, controls more than 40% of the company.

Saltire Taverns is a pub and hotel company with a handful of properties in Scotland. Its estate is anchored by the Le Monde boutique hotel and entertainment complex in Edinburgh, which features 18 suites along with three continental-themed bars and Shanghai Club nightclub. The company also runs The Golf Tavern, The Illicit Still in Aberdeen, and two Frankenstein's Pub locations. CEO and Edinburgh pub tycoon Billy Lowe started the business in 1996.

Gillingham Football Club plays its football (soccer) in the English Football League One. The team, nicknamed the Gills, holds its home games at the 11,000 capacity Priestfield Stadium. The club was founded in 1893 but in their long history have only received promotion to the second tier English league once; from 2000 to 2005. The club has wrangled with problems on and off the pitch and narrowly avoided complete dissolution in the mid 90's. Gillingham FC wears shirts that are sponsored by MHS Homes Group. Like many professional football teams, the squad's official online club shop offers a wide variety of merchandise.

Sally Industries, Inc. makes robotic characters and figures for use in theme parks, museums, motion pictures, and retail stores worldwide. Sally also provides electronic control and audio systems, staging, lighting, and sound track production. In addition, the firm creates and installs entire attractions and interactive rides, such as Cedar Fair's Scooby-Doo's Haunted Mansion and Universal Parks' E.T.'s Adventure. Other examples of the company's work includes figures for Disney on Ice, and characters for hotels and casinos (MGM Grand), stores and malls (Macy's), trade shows and fairs (Royal Bank of Scotland), and museums (Mexico City Museum).

Benchmark Hospitality International is going to resort to -- but you can bet it has high standards. Benchmark Hospitality is a manager and marketer of resorts, conference centers, and hotels across the US; it also has one location in Tokyo. Its portfolio of more than 20 properties includes Scottsdale Resort and Conference Center (Arizona), Cheyenne Mountain Resort (Colorado Springs, Colorado), and Turtle Bay Resort (Oahu, Hawaii). Many of Benchmark Hospitality's resorts include luxury spas and golf courses.

Plymouth Argyle payers are love to knock the socks off the ball. The football (soccer) team is one of two dozen teams that play in the English Football League Championship (formerly known as Division 1); the season runs annually from August through May. Nicknamed the Pilgrims, the club plays its home games at the aptly named Home Park. The stadium was originally the home of the Devonport Albion Rugby Club. Plymouth Argyle FC hopes to make the jump to the English Premiership someday. The team's uniform is sponsored by Ginsters and supplied by Puma. Plymouth Argyle Football Club's first professional game was in 1903.

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.

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