The King of Dining, Hospitality, And Gaming: Landry’s, Inc.

“From the moment a guest walks into one of our properties, the ambiance lets them know that they’re in for something special, no matter where they are.”

With a host of concepts flourishing across the nation and around the world, Landry’s, Inc., through its subsidiaries and affiliated entities, continues to find success on all fronts. As a group, Landry’s owns and operates more than 500 properties, including more than 40 unique brands such as Landry’s Seafood, Chart House, Saltgrass Steak House, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Claim Jumper, Morton’s The Steakhouse, McCormick & Schmick’s, Mastro’s Restaurants and Rainforest Cafe and tout a combination of good, fresh food, unparalleled service and marvelous locations. When you add five Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino locations operated by affiliated entities to the mix, along with numerous hotel properties and other entertainment destinations, you can see how Landry’s has vaulted into position as one of America’s leading dining, entertainment, gaming, and hospitality groups.

With an exciting story that moves from 1980 as a Gulf seafood restaurant in Katy, Texas, all the way to a thriving company with globally-recognized restaurant and entertainment brands, Landry’s has dazzled the business world. First, it was a collection of highly-rated restaurants. Then, it was a growing network of hotels, and eventually, entertainment complexes like the Kemah Boardwalk and the Golden Nugget, in historic locations such as Las Vegas and Atlantic City. Our group’s unstoppable momentum has helped us rise through the ranks of our competitors as Landry’s brands sprang to life all over the map. This has been a constant throughout the years. When we were publicly traded, we were often called a “darling” of Wall Street. Now, as a privately-owned company, our vision is as clear and bold as ever.

Landry’s is no stranger to accolades – we have seen numerous honors over our three decades. That’s not to mention the multitude of awards the individual concepts owned and operated by our subsidiaries and affiliated entities have received from newspapers, food critics, and other establishments, including the Golden Nugget’s prestigious AAA Four Diamond Award.

A Colourful History

From coast to coast and around the world, the Landry’s, Inc. name has developed a reputation for delivering a great experience at more than 500 dining, hospitality, entertainment, and gaming destinations. What started as a charming seafood house in Katy, Texas, has grown to become an international standard-setter. From the glitz and glamour of the Golden Nugget to the down-home hospitality of Landry’s Seafood, our history is full of successes and the company is growing every day – meaning the future is just a bright.

Initial Steps

From the time Landry’s, Inc. President, Chairman and CEO Tilman J. Fertitta bought his first two restaurants to the present day, the company’s story has been a tale of unmatched growth and rapid success. Today, the company is an international leader in the dining, hospitality, gaming and entertainment industries – the result of hard work, creative innovation and pure dedication.

Fertitta was a partner in the first Landry’s Seafood Restaurant, which opened its doors in Katy, Texas, in 1980. A year later, he partnered to open the more upscale Willie G’s Seafood & Steaks in nearby Houston. In 1986, Fertitta gained controlling interests of both restaurants and the Landry’s, Inc. brand began to take off.

Fertitta envisioned a national chain of Gulf Coast seafood restaurants that welcomed patrons with a casual, authentic and entertaining atmosphere. He created an expansion plan and stuck with it. More than 30 years and 500+ locations later, Landry’s, Inc. has moved far beyond the Houston area, operating restaurants and entertainment destinations in exciting world cities like New York, Chicago, Tokyo, London and Mexico City.

Building the Company

Landry’s Seafood quickly expanded to Galveston, where its signature marquee, energetic atmosphere, and great food made it an instant success. Soon, the chain was operating across Texas and around the nation. With great reviews and scores of customers, the company grew from two to 11 restaurants in just five years.

In August 1993, Fertitta took the Company public. Fueled by investment capital and unmitigated drive, Landry’s, Inc. acquired Joe’s Crab Shack in 1994, entrenching the company’s place as a national seafood player. In 1996, Landry’s, Inc. added The Crab House Restaurants to its holdings; Founded in Miami in 1976 and featuring East Coast flair, The Crab House was a perfect complement to Landry’s Inc.’s other seafood restaurants. People around the nation were beginning to take notice.

Entertaining Even Bigger Ideas

The Company expanded beyond the seafood market when it acquired Cadillac Bar, a favorite Houston Mexican restaurant for more than 20 years. That same year, the company completed the development of its first major specialty project, the 35-acre Kemah Boardwalk. Located just south of Houston, on the edge of Galveston Bay, the Kemah Boardwalk attracts millions of visitors every year. Its attractions include multiple themed restaurants, retail shops, the boutique Boardwalk Inn, a 400-slip marina, a train, the Boardwalk FantaSea charter yacht, amusement rides and midway games.

Landry’s, Inc. ventured even further into the specialty realm in 2000, when it acquired the world’s premier themed restaurant concept, Rainforest Cafe. The only full-service restaurant concept operated in all Walt Disney theme parks worldwide, Rainforest Cafe offers customers a stimulating “Wild Place to Shop and Eat”. The Landry’s name now transcended the borders of the United States.

A Bold Direction

After going public in 1993 with a valuation of $30 million, the company had grown to an astounding $1.7 billion by 2011. In 2010, already being the majority shareholder, CEO Tilman J. Fertitta purchased all outstanding shares of stock and gained sole control and ownership of the company again. Now privately held, Landry’s, Inc. has again embarked on a journey with a new vision for the future, which includes that same focus on development and growth that has been present since the beginning.

Breaking New Ground

Landry’s, Inc. made more big moves in 2010, adding a number of new restaurant properties to the family. These new and exciting restaurants ranged from a global brand based on one of the 90s’ best movies to a seafood chain that is known for its intimacy, dedication, and craft.

• The Oceanaire Seafood Room: In 2010, Landry’s, Inc. brought The Oceanaire, a nationally-acclaimed group of seafood establishments, into the fold. Renowned for unique, finely-prepared dishes, The Oceanaire is known first and foremost for flying in the freshest seafood from around the world daily. Their menu changes each day to reflect this and their servers are practiced in educating diners about the best possible choices.
• Bubba Gump Shrimp Co: When Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. became part of the Landry’s, Inc. family, an international superstar joined the family. As the only restaurant chain based on a major motion picture, Bubba Gump is remarkable in its own right, apart even from their fun atmosphere and memorable food. Their locations span the entire globe, including popular tourist spots that attract families from far and wide.

Out with the Old, in with the Gold

Landry’s, Inc. entered the gaming realm when it acquired the legendary Golden Nugget Hotel and Casino on Las Vegas’ exciting Fremont Street in 2005. A recipient of the esteemed AAA Four Diamond award consecutively since 1977, the Golden Nugget is a Las Vegas legend. In 2009, the new $150 million Rush Tower added 500 new guest rooms and upscale boutiques. The acquisition of Golden Nugget Las Vegas in 2005 also brought another Las Vegas Casino into the fold in Laughlin, Nev. Landry’s, Inc. has since opened three additional Golden Nugget locations. In 2011, Golden Nugget Atlantic City opened at the Frank S. Farley Marina. In 2012, Landry’s acquired the Isle Casino and Hotel in Biloxi – which became Golden Nugget Biloxi in summer 2013. The Golden Nugget most recently expanded to Louisiana with the opening of its Lake Charles location in 2014. In addition to acclaimed gaming, each Golden Nugget location is the home to multiple Landry’s, Inc. restaurant concepts, including Morton’s The Steakhouse, Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Grotto Italian Restaurant and Chart House, among others.

Leaving a Signature

Through the years, Landry’s, Inc. has acquired and developed a collection of high-end restaurants, including Vic & Anthony’s Steakhouse, Brenner’s Steakhouse, Grotto, La Griglia and more. This unique collection of high-end restaurants continually wins awards for cuisine and overall experience. Every year, this “Signature Group” of restaurants collaborates for a series of specialty chef dinners in Houston.

The Growth Continues

Landry’s, Inc. continues to expand and add new concepts to the fold. McCormick & Schmick’s was added. Opened in the 1970s and acquired by Landry’s, Inc. in 2011, Morton’s The Steakhouse joined the Landry’s, Inc. family in 2011. In 2012, Landry’s, Inc. expanded its entertainment division even further with the opening of the Galveston Island Historic Pleasure Pier, an innovative theme park built entirely over the water. In May 2013, Mastro’s Restaurants – an eclectic collection of some of the nation’s finest steak and seafood establishments – joined the Landry’s, Inc. family.

Landry’s Philosophy

Multiple Appealing Concepts

With its multiple-concept approach, Landry’s appeals to customers of all ages, backgrounds, income brackets and interests. The Company seeks to set industry standards, not follow them.

Location is Key

Landry’s locates its restaurants close to major retail, convention, entertainment and business centers, as well as at historical and waterfront sites.

Motivated Employees

The Landry’s culture motivates employees to achieve their full potential. They’re challenged to improve through leadership, focus, intensity, and persistence — and to create a work environment of pride, honesty, integrity, and loyalty. Innovative training programs designed to strengthen the Company’s management foundation also encourage employees toward career growth.

Execution

Fertitta believes in a hands-on approach focused on service, quality, and profitability. Landry’s staff is a winning team committed to high standards, which they achieve through good organization and communication.

The Future Looks Bright

With a strong foundation of unforgettable experiences in dining and gaming at the best entertainment destinations around, the potential for Landry’s growth continues to remain off the charts. With devoted leadership, a creative team and endless possibilities, the company has a clear direction for the future. Every day, new guests experience a Landry’s, Inc. concept for the first time. With new locations and concepts opening every year, the Landry’s, Inc. story is a story of growth and a bright future.

As Houston, Texas continues to evolve into a stylish residential, business and tourist enclave, Landry’s, Inc. has set a plan in motion that once complete will elevate the city’s appeal even further. The Post Oak, which is under construction at West Loop South in the Galleria and Uptown area, is a 650,000-square-foot vertical, multi-use complex that will offer Houstonians and visitors a one-stop shop for fine dining, high-end shopping, living, working, and lodging. The Post Oak will include a luxury hotel, high-end commercial office space, and apartments all in one tower. It will also feature an expansive 16,000-square-foot ballroom (which will be the largest in the area), a two-story showroom with floor-to-ceiling windows displaying Bentley and Rolls-Royce automobiles, a two-story spa and salon, a sparkling pool, as well as Texas’ very first Mastro’s Steakhouse—a favorite among elite diners.

Greet the CEO

Tilman J. Fertitta, Chairman, President, and CEO:

“Our group’s renowned reputation is upheld by an unwavering commitment to customer service and satisfaction. This commitment is a promise m­ade to each guest to ensure reasonable prices and courteous service in atmospheres that range from casual to upscale.”

"We believe the success of our group’s business in different arenas demonstrates that our group is the authority for the dining, entertainment, gaming, and hospitality industries.”