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Hard Rock Cafe
Description
You can rock hard, eat hard, buy merchandise hard, even sleep hard with Hard Rock Cafe International. The company operates the Hard Rock Cafe chain of theme restaurants, which serve up typical American food, as well as rock-music memorabilia and plenty of Hard Rock-branded merchandise. It has more than 120 company-owned and franchised locations in more than 45 countries. The company also has about a half dozen branded hotels and hotel casinos operated by third-parties, as well as three concert venues in the US, Canada, and Mexico. Its collection of rock n' roll memorabilia boasts more than 60,000 items. The Hard Rock chain was acquired in 2007 by the Seminole Tribe of Florida.
The Seminole Tribe, which operates a half dozen casinos (including two Hard Rock branded venues), acquired the restaurant and leisure business for $965 million from UK-based leisure company Rank Group. The acquisition gives the tribe's already successful leisure operations a foothold in new markets, including other states where gaming is legal. Rank decided to sell its Hard Rock subsidiary to focus on UK gaming businesses.
While Hard Rock's business continues to be anchored by its company-operated Hard Rock Cafes (the almost seventy restaurants account for more than 90% of revenue), it has found a growing cash business in licensing the Hard Rock name to casinos and hotels. Hard Rock plans to open a new hotel in San Diego and a hotel and casino in Biloxi, Mississippi. Meanwhile, a new hotel in New York City is on hold; Hard Rock had planned to expand its reach into the Manhattan hospitality arena through a partnership with Spanish hotel and resort operator Sol Meliá, but the two parties dissolved their Lifestar venture in 2006. Meanwhile, the Hard Rock Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, operated by Hard Rock Hotel, was acquired by Morgans Hotel Group in 2007 from entrepreneur Peter Morton.
Morton and Isaac Tigrett opened the first Hard Rock Cafe in London in 1971. Locations were later opened in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, and San Francisco. Tigrett sold his interest in the business to Mecca Leisure, which was acquired by Rank in 1990. The UK-leisure company acquired the remaining interests from Morton and partner Nick Bitove in 1996.
Hamburger fans are chirping about Red Robin Gourmet Burgers. The company operates a chain of more than 340 casual-dining restaurants in almost 40 states and Canada that specialize in high-end hamburgers. Its menu features more than 20 different twists on the American classic, including the Pot Roast Burger, the Banzai Burger (marinated in teriyaki), and the jalapeño-charged 5 Alarm Burger. The signature Royal Red Robin Burger features bacon and a fried egg on top of the beef. Red Robin also serves chicken, seafood, and turkey burgers, as well as vegetarian alternatives. Non-burger entrées include salads, pasta, seafood, and fajitas. The company operates more than 200 of its locations and franchises the rest.
Red Robin's
Description
Red Robin's restaurants are typically freestanding units in retail areas and near entertainment centers. The company, which added more than 30 new restaurants to its chain in 2006, has slowed its expansion plans to focus on improving unit sales. It hopes to open about 25 locations in 2007, mostly in markets where it is already operating.