InterContinental Hotels Group (ICH) is truly that. The company is the world's largest hotel company by room count, with more than 4,400 properties in more than 100 countries. Its mainstay chain, Holiday Inn, offers mid-market accommodations at more than 1,300 locations in the US, Europe, and Asia, along with some 2,000 limited-service locations operated under the Holiday Inn Express brand. ICH also serves the upscale market with its Crowne Plaza and InterContinental chains, while its Staybridge Suites and Candlewood Suites brands offer extended stay services mostly in the US. The company's newest brand, Hotel Indigo, targets mid-market travelers with upscale appointments.

You needn't answer any riddles to eat at these restaurants. Sfinks Polska is a leading operator of casual dining chains in Poland and Eastern Europe with more than 100 locations. Its flagship chain SPHINX offers a Mediterranean-inspired menu of grilled meats, pizza, and pasta. In addition to domestic units, the chain has locations in the Czech Republic, Hungary, and Romania. Sfinks Polska also operates Chlopskie Jadlo (Countryside Cuisine), which offers traditional Polish dishes in a rustic setting, as well as a Chinese concept called WOOK. Chairman and founder Tomasz Morawski controls 45% of the company.

If you really had two left feet, wouldn't you just keep dancing to the left? Arthur Murray International would prefer not to find out. Originally famous for its "footprints" method of dance instruction (foot outlines placed on the floor, a method it no longer uses), the company franchises about 225 studios in approximately 15 countries. Dance lessons range in skill from beginning to competition-level dancing, and students can learn a variety of steps, including swing, samba, merengue, rumba, cha-cha, mambo, tango, and waltz. Founder Arthur Murray began teaching dance in 1912; he formed the company in 1946. The company consists of approximately 275 franchised studios in eight countries including the United States, Australia, Canada, Germany, Israel, Japan, Italy, and South Africa. Former staff members who have worked their way up in the company own and operate the franchised studios. These owners typically began their careers with Arthur Murray as dance instructors, realized the opportunity of operating a studio, and reached executive level. Arthur Murray staff members were eligible to become franchisees within just a few years of beginning as teachers. Sales for Arthur Murray International during the late 1990s amounted to an estimated $50 million.

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.

Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. operates in cruise vacation industry in North America and internationally. Royal Caribbean Cruises Ltd. owns five cruise brands: Royal Caribbean International, Celebrity Cruises, Pullmantur Cruises, Azamara Club Cruises, and CDF Croisieres de France. The Royal Caribbean International brand serves the contemporary segments providing a range of onboard services, amenities, and activities. Its offerings principally include swimming pools, sun and lawn decks, spa facilities, beauty salons, bungee jumping trampolines, boxing rings, gaming facilities, lounges, bars, dining venues, hot glass shows, retail shopping, libraries, recreational areas for youth of various ages, cinemas, conference centers, Internet cafes, shore excursions at each port of call, ice skating rinks, and water park.

Palm Management Corp. is firmly rooted in the white tablecloth pantheon. A leader in the fine dining niche, Palm Management operates about 30 Palm Restaurants in about two dozen major US markets, Mexico, and Puerto Rico. The steakhouses are famous gathering spots for the rich and powerful and are noted for their meticulous service and top drawer cuisine. However, the chain keeps a light air about itself with interior appointments that include caricatures of celebrities. Italian immigrants Pio Bozzi and John Ganzi opened the first Palm Restaurant in New York City in 1926. Their third-generation offspring, Bruce Bozzi and Wally Ganzi, continue to own and operate the company.

The first National Lottery draw took place on 19 November 1994. Since then, the National Lottery has become an institution within the UK, and has raised over £24 billion for good causes. National Lottery games consist of draw-based games, such as Lotto, Scratchcards, and online Interactive Instant Win Games. The National Lottery Commission is responsible for licensing and regulating the National Lottery. The National Lottery Commission is a Non-Departmental Public Body, sponsored by the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

Straw Hat Cooperative owns and operates Straw Hat Pizza, a chain of about 70 casual dining restaurants located mostly in Northern California. The family-style eateries are popular for their signature pizzas, pasta dishes, and sandwiches. In addition to its pizzerias, the company has a small number of Straw Hat Grill locations that specialize in hamburgers and other sandwiches, along with a few Straw Hat Express units found in strip malls and other retail locations. Founded in 1959, the Straw Hat chain is controlled by its franchise operators.

Stoke City Football Club is one of the oldest football (soccer) clubs in England. Founded in 1863, the team turned professional in 1885. The club's home ground, the Britannia Stadium seats approximately 28,000 spectators. Previously the team played at the Victoria Ground, its home since 1878. Stoke City FC, nicknamed the Potters, hired skipper Tony Pulis to manage the club in 2002. The club currently competes in the English Football League Championship (formerly known as Division 1). Stoke City's past players include legendary England goalkeeper Gordon Banks as well as the great Stanley Matthews.

Hospitality USA Investment Group Inc. is a diversified management company specializing in the unique entertainment and hospitality industry.Hospitality USA fills a void in the pub and restaurant industry by providing concepts that are not only exciting, but cost effective as well. Hospitality USA emphasizes high quality value, service and products in formats that allow every patron to enjoy a pleasurable experience in a fun, lively atmosphere.

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