Food

Steve’s Ice Cream Corporate Office

Steve’s Ice Cream was founded in 1973 in Somerville, Massachusetts. Steve Herrell first altered a small batch, commercial ice cream freezer and created a creamy, low air ice cream that was unique for its time. Later, he added things such as M&M’s, fruit, or broken up Heath candy bars, another unique concept in its day. Herrell sold the business in 1977 for $80,000. While the company did franchising for a short time, problems arose when the company began selling prepacked ice cream in stores. Many franchisers either lost their business or sold it.

The company was purchased in 2009 by an original Steve’s Ice Cream employee, David Stein. Steve’s Ice Cream now has 3 locations in New York, as well as selling prepackaged ice cream at local stores.

Steve's Ice Cream

History

Chuy’s Corporate Office

Chuy’s (pronounced Chewies) was founded in 1982 by John Zapp and Mike Young in Austin, Texas. Chuy’s is a Tex-Mex style restaurant chain which offers a casual dining experience. The original location was an abandoned barbeque shack that the pair remodeled. It had only one unisex bathroom and seated 60 persons.

Today, the company has 72 locations and continues to expand, with 6 more restaurants opening this year. Chuy’s went public on the NASDAQ in 2011 and can be found under the ticker symbol: CHUY.

Chuy’s is well known for hosting birthday parties for Elvis, including live music and an Elvis impersonator. All locations are decorated in an eclectic style which includes Mexican hats and blankets, hub caps, license plates, and brightly colored wooden fish “swimming” across the ceiling.

Chuy's

Today, the company has 72 locations and continues to expand, with 6 more restaurants opening this year. Chuy’s went public on the NASDAQ in 2011 and can be found under the ticker symbol: CHUY.

History

Half Moon Sports Grill Corporate Office

Half Moon Sports Grill was founded in 2009 in Phoenix, Arizona. While playing golf, current co-owner and CEO Clay Moizo and friends got more than an eyeful when someone playing at the next tee showed more of their behind than is appropriate. Therefore, it should be no surprise to clients when they find the waitress uniforms a bit on the skimpy side.

The company has two locations ,with the second being more restaurant than a sports bar. The second location features chef Marlene Portillo and offers Chicago style cuisine, along with private rooms for parties or large groups.

Half Moon Sports Grill is known for their large assortment of beers, American cuisine, and extra large televisions throughout the location to ensure a good view from anywhere in the restaurant.

Half Moon Sports Grill

Half Moon Sports Grill is known for their large assortment of beers, American cuisine, and extra large televisions throughout the location to ensure a good view from anywhere in the restaurant.

History

Pollo Tropical Corporate Office

Pollo Tropical, literally Tropical Chicken in English, was founded in 1988. The company specializes in Caribbean inspired chicken dishes, along with black beans and rice, along with other Caribbean inspired foods. Pollo Tropical is a subsidiary of Fiesta Restaurant Group, Inc.

Today, Pollo Tropical has more than 160 locations around the globe, including South America, the Caribbean, Puerto Rico, and Central America. Locations in America are company owned, while those in other countries are franchised. The company is headquartered in Miami, Florida.

The company continues to expand, with 12 new locations in Florida, 10 in Texas, 2 in Panama, and one in Guatemala, in 2015. The company hit one million in revenue in a single day on December 6, 2014.

Pollo Tropical

The company continues to expand, with 12 new locations in Florida, 10 in Texas, 2 in Panama, and one in Guatemala, in 2015. The company hit one million in revenue in a single day on December 6, 2014.

History

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Corporate Office

The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company opened their first location in 1996 in Monterrey, California. The restaurant was inspired by the movie Forest Gump. Landry’s Inc. purchased the company from Paramount Pictures in late 2010 for an undisclosed amount.

Today, this casual seafood chain of restaurants has 43 locations around the globe, with restaurants in Mexico, London, Hong Kong, Japan, the Philippines, Malaysia, and Indonesia. While all locations offer seafood, shrimp dishes in particular, each location frequently offers local dishes or flavors, such as Cajun seasoning or rice. Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurants feature memorabilia from the movie and trivia games are often played while customers wait for service.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company was involved in a lawsuit in 2013 in which former employees felt they were being restricted unlawfully from discussing their employment on social media sites. The company won, as the court found no wrong doing nor a violation of employee rights.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company