Beverages

Portillo’s Restaurant Corporate Office

Portillo´s Restaurant was founded in 1963 by Dick Portillo. The original name was The Dog House, as the company offered Chicago style hot dogs. Today, the company offers a wide assortment of Chicago style food, chocolate desserts, and offers catering services as well.

Portillo´s Restaurant has 41 locations and has nearly 5,000 full-time employees. The company had annual revenue in 2013 of $300 million.

In addition to food, Portillo´s is known for selling t-shirts, mugs, license plate frames, travel mugs, hats, and bumper stickers with the Potrillo logo and/or Chicago fanfare.

Dick Portillo sold his chain to Berkshire Partners in 2015 for an undisclosed amount.

Portillo´s Restaurant

Portillo´s Restaurant has 41 locations and has nearly 5,000 full-time employees. The company had annual revenue in 2013 of $300 million.

In addition to food, Portillo´s is known for selling t-shirts, mugs, license plate frames, travel mugs, hats, and bumper stickers with the Potrillo logo and/or Chicago fanfare.

History

Dick Portillo sold his chain to Berkshire Partners in 2015 for an undisclosed amount.

Chuck E. Cheese Corporate Office

Chuck E. Cheese’s was founded in San Jose, California in 1977. The company is a chain of American family entertainment and food restaurants. Co-founded by the creator of Atari, Nolan Bushnell, Chuck E. Cheese’s was the first restaurant to integrate food, live entertainment for children, games, and a play center inside one business. The original name was Chuck E. Cheese’s Pizza Time Theatre.

The company began franchising in 1979 and has been sold several times over the years. Today, Chuck E. Cheese’s is owned by CEC Entertainment Concepts, who also owns Peter Piper Pizza.

In July 2018, the company initiated a “pay once play all day” program, rather than rely on tokens. This has been a very successful program, with all participating franchises reporting increased revenue.

Chuck E. Cheese’s has more than 600 locations in the U.S. The company had annual revenue in 2015 of $922 million. The restaurant chain most often hosts birthday parties for children, which feature costumed figures of performing animals and arcade games.

Chuck E. Cheese's

The company began franchising in 1979 and has been sold several times over the years. Today, Chuck E. Cheese’s is owned by CEC Entertainment Concepts, who also owns Peter Piper Pizza.

History

Island Creamery Corporate Office

Island Creamery was founded in 1975 by Bob and Nancy Conklin on Chincoteague Island, Virginia. The company makes premium ice cream from butterfat that comes directly from local island cows. In addition to ice cream and milk shakes, the company also offers coffee, lattes, and other types of espresso drinks, as well as brownies.

The original location was a renovated pool hall across from the fire station. The current location on Maddox was opened a year later. Island Creamery is open every day except Thanksgiving day and Christmas day, unlike many ice cream locations in the east. The large red and white lighthouse atop the building makes it a landmark in town.

Island Creamery has won numerous awards for its ice cream, including Trip Advisors 2015 Hall of Fame.

Island Creamery

Island Creamery has won numerous awards for its ice cream, including Trip Advisors 2015 Hall of Fame.

History

Rainforest Cafe Corporate Office

Rainforest Cafe was founded by Steven Schussler in 1994 in The Mall of America in Bloomington, Minnesota. The company operates a chain of themed restaurants designed to look like a tropical rainforest. Design items include living plants, mists, waterfalls, and rainforest figurine animals such as elephants and frogs.

In addition to the restaurant, most locations also feature a gift shop with items for sale such as toys, games, stuffed animals, and action figures.

The company currently has 28 locations in the US, along with locations in France, Japan, and the United Kingdom. The company has almost 7,000 full time employees and annual revenue in 2004 of $259 million. Landry’s Restaurants, Inc., purchased the company in 2000.

Rainforest Cafe

In addition to the restaurant, most locations also feature a gift shop with items for sale such as toys, games, stuffed animals, and action figures.

History

Smoothie King Corporate Office

Smoothie King was founded in 1973 in Kenner, Louisiana, by Steve Kuhnau. While working at an ice cream shop, Kuhnau discovered he was unable to enjoy the milk shakes and other treats because he was lactose intolerant. This inspired him to create similar items using fruit juice and frozen fruit that anyone could enjoy.

Today, the company has more than 600 franchised locations. Kuhnau sold the business to current CEO Wan Kim and Standard Chartered bank. Smoothie King has been named the #1 franchise by Entrepreneur magazine more than 17 times since it began operations.

Smoothie King had annual revenue in 2014 of $160 million. The company began international franchising with the first location opening in South Korea in 2003.

Smoothie King

Smoothie King had annual revenue in 2014 of $160 million. The company began international franchising with the first location opening in South Korea in 2003.