TCA Holdings includes subsidiaries such as the Tennis Corporation of America (develops and licenses tennis products and programs), Midtown Athletic Clubs (manages about a dozen sports and fitness clubs), Proactive Partners (manages corporate centers and wellness programs for such companies as McDonald's and General Motors), and Columbia Equities (a real estate and health club investment company). The family-owned company was established by chairman Alan Schwartz and his father Kevie when they opened the Mid-Town Tennis Club in Chicago in 1969.

Creating a home for true carnivores, Rib Crib operates and franchises more than 50 full-service barbecue restaurants in Oklahoma, Missouri, and a half dozen other states. In addition to barbecue ribs, the chain offers brisket, pork, and smoked chicken, as well as appetizers, salads, and dessert. Customers can have Rib Crib's meat and sauces shipped anywhere in the continental US. Rib Crib also offers catering services, in which it delivers and sets up the complete meal for customers. Bret Chandler, a former Mazzio's Italian Eatery franchisee, started Rib Crib in 1992.

Founded in 1878, Everton Football Club pre-dates neighboring clubLiverpool FC but now must follow in its world-famous rival's successful footsteps. Playing in the Premier League, the English football club has had its share of ups and downs but still commands a loyal legion of fanz. Payments from Premiership broadcasting rights, along with money generated during game days by ticket and match program sales, account for most of the club's revenues. Chairman Bill Kenwright has a 25% stake in the team; Planet Hollywood founder and CEO Robert Earl owns about 20%.

You might say this company knows to stay out of the rough. American Golf Corporation (AGC) is one of the largest golf course management firms in the world with more than 110 public, private, and resort properties in more than 25 states. Its portfolio of courses includes such country clubs as The Golf Club at Mansion Ridge (Monroe, New York), Oakhurst Country Club (Clayton, California), and Palm Valley Country Club (Palm Desert, California). The company also runs the American Golf Foundation, which helps promote the game through charity and education. AGC is owned by investment firms Goldman Sachs and Starwood Capital.American Golf Corporation is the world's largest golf course management company. The company runs over 300 golf courses across the United States and in Australia, Japan, and the United Kingdom. Its courses include municipal and public courses as well as private courses and country clubs. About half of American Golf's courses are owned by a sister company, National Golf Properties, Inc. National Golf Properties is a publicly traded real estate investment trust (REIT). Both companies are chaired by David G. Price. Price also owns a substantial stake in both companies. American Golf has a charitable arm as well, the American Golf Foundation. This nonprofit group endeavors to promote the game of golf particularly among women, young people, and poor or disadvantaged families. Increasing the popularity and accessibility of the sport is one of the goals of American Golf Corporation.

Western Professional Hockey League (WPHL) operates the Central Hockey League (CHL), a development league with 16 teams located in Texas, Oklahoma, and a half dozen other states. Affiliated with the National Hockey League, the CHL serves as a proving ground for young players before they are called up through the ranks. Teams including the Arizona Sundogs (Prescott Valley), the Corpus Christi Rayz (Texas), and the Texas Brahmas (Fort Worth) compete each season for the Ray Miron President's Cup. Started in 1992, the CHL regulates franchise ownership and helps promote its teams. WPHL is a subsidiary of Global Entertainment Corporation.

Western hospitality has really spread. Begun in 1946 by hotelier M. K. Guertin and named for its California origins, Best Western has more than 4,000 independently owned and operated hotels (including 2,200-plus in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean), making it the world's largest hotel brand (by number of rooms). Hotels sport its flag in about 80 countries and territories; Australia and the UK have the most outside the US. The company has about 100 Best Western Premier branded hotels in Asia and Europe, which offer a higher level of amenities and services. Best Western is organized as a not-for-profit membership association, with most of its sales coming from monthly fees and annual dues.

You can certainly go to Sammy's for a sammy, but most people go for the pizza pies. Ladeki Restaurant Group owns and operates Sammy's Woodfired Pizza, a chain of upscale casual dining restaurants with about 20 locations in Southern California and Nevada. The eateries are known for their gourmet pizzas baked in wood-fired ovens, but they also serve sandwiches, pasta dishes, salads, and a selection of tapas. In addition to its flagship chain, Ladeki Restaurants operates an upscale Asian-fusion concept called Roppongi Restaurant and Sushi Bar, and it offers catering services through Mosaic Catering. Restaurateur Sami Ladeki started the Sammy's Woodfired Pizza chain in 1989.

Grand Heritage Hotel Group LLC owns more than a dozen historic hotels in the US and Mexico under categories such as urban, oceanside, mountain adventures, and lakeside retreats. Properties include The Governor Hotel (Portland, Oregon), Providence Biltmore Hotel (Providence, Rhode Island), The Stanley Hotel (Estes Park, Colorado), and The Chanler Hotel at Cliff Walk (Newport, Rhode Island). Grand Heritage's Residence Club converts existing hotels and resorts into condos and timeshares for vacationers. President John Cullen owns the Grand Heritage Hotel Group.

Brazil Fast Food has neither a clown nor a king, just Bob. The company operates Bob's, Brazil's #2 fast-food chain (behind McDonald's) with about 640 locations. The chain serves a standard burger-and-fries menu, featuring a specially spiced hamburger and popular milk shakes. Its chain includes more than 270 kiosks and trailers that sell burgers during Carnival (where it is the exclusive provider of burgers) and other special events. About 60 of Brazil Fast Food's outlets are company-owned, while the rest are operated by franchisees. A group of shareholders including chairman Omar Carneiro da Cunha and former CEO Peter van Voorst Vader owns more than 50% of the company.

Kinseth Hospitality began in 1963 when Ken & Cyrena Kinseth bought the Cliff House, a small hotel located in Decorah, Iowa. With a lot of hard work and support from their children, (Les, Linda, Bruce and Gary) they expanded the property into a thriving 120-room hotel and restaurant. After selling the Cliff House in 1977 the Kinseth family bought a Best Western in Council Bluffs, Iowa and then another in Clear Lake. They gained considerable experience in all areas of the hotel and restaurant industry. The four siblings set out to expand the organization their parents had founded.

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