COMPANY·HISTORIES
NAIC 722110

Restaurants, Full Service

How the companies in this industry began, and the forces that shaped them.

144companies1837–1999founding years140still active4no longer operating
§ 01

The industry over time

Companies foundedEconomyTechnologyEnvironment
FoundedBonnier AB
1837
FoundedYoung & Co.'s Brewery, P.L.C.
1890
1903
TechnologyThe Wright brothers achieve powered flight.
1908
TechnologyThe Ford Model T brings the automobile to the middle class.
1913
EconomyThe Federal Reserve is created.
1914
EconomyWorld War I begins; global trade reorders.
FoundedOdakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
1923
1929
EconomyThe stock market crashes; the Great Depression begins.
1933
EconomyNew Deal reforms reshape banking and industry.
FoundedStrauss-Elite Group
1934
1939
EconomyWorld War II begins; wartime production surges.
1945
EconomyThe war ends; a long postwar expansion begins.
1947
TechnologyThe transistor is invented at Bell Labs.
FoundedWaffle House Inc.
1955
1956
EconomyThe Interstate Highway program remakes commerce.
1958
TechnologyThe integrated circuit is demonstrated.
FoundedFlanigan's Enterprises, Inc.
1959
1962
EnvironmentSilent Spring launches the modern environmental movement.
FoundedCremonini S.p.A.
1966
FoundedNew World Development Company Limited
1970
EnvironmentThe EPA is founded; environmental regulation expands.
1971
EconomyThe dollar leaves the gold standard; Nasdaq opens.
1973
EconomyThe OPEC oil embargo triggers a global shock.
1975
TechnologyThe personal-computer era begins with the Altair.
FoundedRomacorp, Inc.
1976
FoundedMcCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Inc.
1979
EconomyA second oil crisis drives inflation higher.
1981
TechnologyThe IBM PC launches and sets a standard.
FoundedZingerman's Community of Businesses
1982
FoundedMcMenamins Pubs and Breweries
1983
FoundedHooters of America, Inc.
1984
TechnologyApple ships the Macintosh; the GUI era begins.
Founded5 & Diner Franchise Corporation
1987
EconomyBlack Monday: markets fall 22% in a single day.
FoundedWorldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc.
1991
TechnologyThe World Wide Web is released to the public.
FoundedMashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise Inc.
1992
FoundedTexas Roadhouse, Inc.
1993
TechnologyThe Mosaic browser brings the web to everyone.
1995
TechnologyWindows 95 launches; the internet goes mainstream.
FoundedRichtree Inc.
1996
1997
EconomyThe Asian financial crisis rattles global markets.
EnvironmentThe Kyoto Protocol sets the first climate targets.
2000
EconomyThe dot-com bubble bursts.
2001
EconomyThe September 11 attacks; a recession follows.
2004
TechnologySocial media and Web 2.0 begin to take hold.
2007
TechnologyThe iPhone launches the smartphone era.
2008
EconomyThe global financial crisis freezes credit.
2010
TechnologyCloud computing goes mainstream for business.
2015
EnvironmentThe Paris Agreement sets global climate targets.
2020
EconomyThe COVID-19 pandemic upends the global economy.
2022
EconomyInflation spikes; central banks raise rates sharply.
2023
TechnologyGenerative AI reaches mainstream business use.
§ 02

The companies

SWH Corporation →
Active
A subsidiary of Bob Evans Farms Inc., SWH Corporation is a Tustin, California-based company that operates the Mimi's…
SWH Corporation →
Active
A subsidiary of Bob Evans Farms Inc., SWH Corporation is a Tustin, California-based company that operates the Mimi's…
Bonnier AB →
Active · founded 1837 · Sweden
Bonnier AB is one of the Nordic region's leading media groups, losing out the top spot to Finland's SanomaWSOY in 2001.
Bonnier AB →
Active · founded 1837 · Sweden
Bonnier AB is one of the Nordic region's leading media groups, losing out the top spot to Finland's SanomaWSOY in 2001.
Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. →
Active · founded 1845 · United Kingdom
While its larger U.K.
Fuller Smith & Turner P.L.C. →
Active · founded 1845 · United Kingdom
While its larger U.K.
Whitbread PLC →
Active · founded 1889 · United Kingdom
Whitbread PLC is one of the leading players in the U.K.
Whitbread PLC →
Active · founded 1889 · United Kingdom
Whitbread PLC is one of the leading players in the U.K.
Young & Co.'s Brewery, P.L.C. →
Active · founded 1890 · United Kingdom
1581: Humphrey Langridge operates the Ram Brewery.
Young & Co.'s Brewery, P.L.C. →
Active · founded 1890 · United Kingdom
1581: Humphrey Langridge operates the Ram Brewery.
Casino Guichard-Perrachon S.A. →
Active · founded 1898 · France
Casino Guichard-Perrachon S.A., or Groupe Casino, is one of France's largest retailers--battling it out with Carrefour…
Casino Guichard-Perrachon S.A. →
Active · founded 1898 · France
Casino Guichard-Perrachon S.A., or Groupe Casino, is one of France's largest retailers--battling it out with Carrefour…
Suntory Ltd. →
Active · founded 1907 · Japan
1950s:The company develops the Torys bar chain, which grows into more than 1,500 bars.
Suntory Ltd. →
Active · founded 1907 · Japan
1950s:The company develops the Torys bar chain, which grows into more than 1,500 bars.
Phillips Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1914
Phillips Foods, Inc.
Phillips Foods, Inc. →
Active · founded 1914
Phillips Foods, Inc.
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1923 · Japan
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1923 · Japan
Odakyu Electric Railway Co., Ltd.
Rallye SA →
Active · founded 1924 · France
Rallye SA is one of France's--and the world's--top retail groups.
Rallye SA →
Active · founded 1924 · France
Rallye SA is one of France's--and the world's--top retail groups.
Maid-Rite Corporation →
Active · founded 1926
1970s:Fast food franchising takes off, but Maid-Rite remains loosely managed.
Maid-Rite Corporation →
Active · founded 1926
1970s:Fast food franchising takes off, but Maid-Rite remains loosely managed.
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation →
Active · founded 1928
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates the oldest and largest (174 acres) outdoor living history museum in the…
Colonial Williamsburg Foundation →
Active · founded 1928
The Colonial Williamsburg Foundation operates the oldest and largest (174 acres) outdoor living history museum in the…
Strauss-Elite Group →
Active · founded 1934 · Israel
Merging two of Israel's oldest and largest food companies in 2004, the Strauss-Elite Group has become that country's…
Strauss-Elite Group →
Active · founded 1934 · Israel
Merging two of Israel's oldest and largest food companies in 2004, the Strauss-Elite Group has become that country's…
Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation →
Active · founded 1943
Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation is the controlling body for a group of companies that operate and/or franchise a…
Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation →
Active · founded 1943
Uno Restaurant Holdings Corporation is the controlling body for a group of companies that operate and/or franchise a…
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1948 · Japan
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd. →
Active · founded 1948 · Japan
Yamazaki Baking Co., Ltd.
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Asahi Breweries, Ltd.
Asahi Breweries, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1949 · Japan
Asahi Breweries, Ltd.
Waffle House Inc. →
Active · founded 1955
According to a 2000 Nation's Restaurant News article, Joe Rogers, Jr., claimed that Waffle House had "successfully…
Waffle House Inc. →
Active · founded 1955
According to a 2000 Nation's Restaurant News article, Joe Rogers, Jr., claimed that Waffle House had "successfully…
Embers America Restaurants →
Active · founded 1956
Embers America Restaurants, which began as a single-unit neighborhood restaurant in the mid-1950s, has transformed…
Embers America Restaurants →
Active · founded 1956
Embers America Restaurants, which began as a single-unit neighborhood restaurant in the mid-1950s, has transformed…
Bob Evans Farms, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
Bob Evans Farms, Inc. →
Active · founded 1957
Bob Evans Farms, Inc.
IHOP Corporation →
Active · founded 1958
IHOP Corporation operates and franchises the International House of Pancakes restaurant concept in the United States…
IHOP Corporation →
Active · founded 1958
IHOP Corporation operates and franchises the International House of Pancakes restaurant concept in the United States…
Flanigan's Enterprises, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Flanigan operated his business under three names during the 1990s.
Flanigan's Enterprises, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
Flanigan operated his business under three names during the 1990s.
VICORP Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
VICORP Restaurants, Inc., is a U.S.
VICORP Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1959
VICORP Restaurants, Inc., is a U.S.
Sanrio Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1960 · Japan
Japan's Sanrio Company, Ltd.
Sanrio Company, Ltd. →
Active · founded 1960 · Japan
Japan's Sanrio Company, Ltd.
Donatos Pizzeria Corporation →
Active · founded 1963
Donatos Pizzeria Corporation is a subsidiary of McDonald's Corporation, part of the fast-food giant's specialty food…
Donatos Pizzeria Corporation →
Active · founded 1963
Donatos Pizzeria Corporation is a subsidiary of McDonald's Corporation, part of the fast-food giant's specialty food…
Cremonini S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1966 · Italy
Cremonini S.p.A.
Cremonini S.p.A. →
Active · founded 1966 · Italy
Cremonini S.p.A.
Bass PLC →
Active · founded 1967 · United Kingdom
Conceived as a single brewery in the late 18th century, Bass PLC was in the process of a historic transition at the…
Bass PLC →
Active · founded 1967 · United Kingdom
Conceived as a single brewery in the late 18th century, Bass PLC was in the process of a historic transition at the…
Grupo Eroski →
Active · founded 1969 · Spain
Grupo Eroski is the distribution arm and the largest part of Spain's powerful cooperative group Mondragon Corporacion…
Grupo Eroski →
Active · founded 1969 · Spain
Grupo Eroski is the distribution arm and the largest part of Spain's powerful cooperative group Mondragon Corporacion…
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc. →
Active · founded 1969
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers, Inc.
New World Development Company Limited →
Active · founded 1970 · Hong Kong
Since its founding in 1970, New World Development Company Limited has been a leader in Hong Kong's bustling commercial…
New World Development Company Limited →
Active · founded 1970 · Hong Kong
Since its founding in 1970, New World Development Company Limited has been a leader in Hong Kong's bustling commercial…
J. Alexander's Corporation →
Active · founded 1971
J.
J. Alexander's Corporation →
Active · founded 1971
J.
Ruby Tuesday, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Ruby Tuesday, Inc.
Ruby Tuesday, Inc. →
Active · founded 1972
Ruby Tuesday, Inc.
Chi-Chi's Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1975
Chi-Chi's Inc., owned by Prandium Inc., is a chain of 130 Mexican full-service restaurants that can be found in…
Chi-Chi's Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1975
Chi-Chi's Inc., owned by Prandium Inc., is a chain of 130 Mexican full-service restaurants that can be found in…
Romacorp, Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
Romacorp, Inc.
Romacorp, Inc. →
Active · founded 1976
Romacorp, Inc.
Autogrill SpA →
Active · founded 1977 · Italy
Autogrill SpA is the world's leading operator of travel restaurant facilities.
Autogrill SpA →
Active · founded 1977 · Italy
Autogrill SpA is the world's leading operator of travel restaurant facilities.
Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Without rival for years, themed restaurant phenomenon Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc.
Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Without rival for years, themed restaurant phenomenon Hard Rock Cafe International, Inc.
Ryan's Restaurant Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Ryan's Restaurant Group, Inc., operates more than 300 restaurants in the southern and midwestern United States.
Ryan's Restaurant Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1977
Ryan's Restaurant Group, Inc., operates more than 300 restaurants in the southern and midwestern United States.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Inc.
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1979
McCormick & Schmick's Seafood Restaurants, Inc.
Matt Prentice Restaurant Group →
Active · founded 1980
The Matt Prentice Restaurant Group runs more than a dozen eateries in the metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan, and…
Matt Prentice Restaurant Group →
Active · founded 1980
The Matt Prentice Restaurant Group runs more than a dozen eateries in the metropolitan area of Detroit, Michigan, and…
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company →
Active · founded 1980
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is one of the top ten beer makers in the United States and the country's largest…
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company →
Active · founded 1980
Sierra Nevada Brewing Company is one of the top ten beer makers in the United States and the country's largest…
Hotel Properties Ltd. →
Active · founded 1981 · Singapore
Singapore's Hotel Properties Ltd.
Hotel Properties Ltd. →
Active · founded 1981 · Singapore
Singapore's Hotel Properties Ltd.
Zingerman's Community of Businesses →
Active · founded 1982
Zingerman's Community of Businesses encompasses a delicatessen, a full-service restaurant, a catering service, a…
Zingerman's Community of Businesses →
Active · founded 1982
Zingerman's Community of Businesses encompasses a delicatessen, a full-service restaurant, a catering service, a…
Accor S.A. →
Active · founded 1983 · France
Paris-based Accor S.A.
Accor S.A. →
Active · founded 1983 · France
Paris-based Accor S.A.
Buffets, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Buffets, Inc.
Buffets, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Buffets, Inc.
El Pollo Loco, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
El Pollo Loco, Inc.
El Pollo Loco, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
El Pollo Loco, Inc.
McMenamins Pubs and Breweries →
Active · founded 1983
McMenamins Pubs and Breweries owns and operates more than 50 establishments in Oregon and the state of Washington and…
McMenamins Pubs and Breweries →
Active · founded 1983
McMenamins Pubs and Breweries owns and operates more than 50 establishments in Oregon and the state of Washington and…
Mendocino Brewing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Mallya's interest in MBC stemmed from his ambitions as a businessman.
Mendocino Brewing Company, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Mallya's interest in MBC stemmed from his ambitions as a businessman.
Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc., brings the trademark cuisine of one of America's most celebrated chefs to an audience…
Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc. →
Active · founded 1983
Wolfgang Puck Worldwide, Inc., brings the trademark cuisine of one of America's most celebrated chefs to an audience…
Bertucci's Corporation →
Active · founded 1984
Bertucci's Corporation, a casual-dining chain, owns a collection of full-service Italian restaurants that operate under…
Bertucci's Corporation →
Active · founded 1984
Bertucci's Corporation, a casual-dining chain, owns a collection of full-service Italian restaurants that operate under…
Hooters of America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Hooters of America, Inc.
Hooters of America, Inc. →
Active · founded 1984
Hooters of America, Inc.
Avado Brands, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Known until 1998 as Apple South, Avado Brands, Inc.
Avado Brands, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Known until 1998 as Apple South, Avado Brands, Inc.
Cooker Restaurant Corporation →
Active · founded 1986
Cooker Restaurant Corporation is a 37-unit casual dining restaurant chain, with locations in Florida, Michigan, Ohio,…
Cooker Restaurant Corporation →
Active · founded 1986
Cooker Restaurant Corporation is a 37-unit casual dining restaurant chain, with locations in Florida, Michigan, Ohio,…
Johnny Rockets Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Johnny Rockets Group, Inc.'s restaurants offer American nostalgia with a menu of basic American food, served in a…
Johnny Rockets Group, Inc. →
Active · founded 1986
Johnny Rockets Group, Inc.'s restaurants offer American nostalgia with a menu of basic American food, served in a…
5 & Diner Franchise Corporation →
Active · founded 1987
Mesa, Arizona-based 5 & Diner Franchise Corporation operates some 20 freestanding 1950s style, family-friendly diners…
5 & Diner Franchise Corporation →
Active · founded 1987
Mesa, Arizona-based 5 & Diner Franchise Corporation operates some 20 freestanding 1950s style, family-friendly diners…
Luminar Plc →
Active · founded 1987 · United Kingdom
Luminar Plc is the United Kingdom's leading nightclub owner and operator, with more than 250 nightclubs, bars, and…
Luminar Plc →
Active · founded 1987 · United Kingdom
Luminar Plc is the United Kingdom's leading nightclub owner and operator, with more than 250 nightclubs, bars, and…
Deschutes Brewery, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Deschutes Brewery, Inc.
Deschutes Brewery, Inc. →
Active · founded 1988
Deschutes Brewery, Inc.
Elior SA →
Active · founded 1991 · France
Elior SA is one of the top three contract catering groups in Europe--and number one in France and Spain.
Elior SA →
Active · founded 1991 · France
Elior SA is one of the top three contract catering groups in Europe--and number one in France and Spain.
Worldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Worldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc.
Worldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc. →
Active · founded 1991
Worldwide Restaurant Concepts, Inc.
Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group →
Active · founded 1992
Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group is owned by Sean Combs, an entertainment and media dynamo whose many business…
Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group →
Active · founded 1992
Bad Boy Worldwide Entertainment Group is owned by Sean Combs, an entertainment and media dynamo whose many business…
Gate Gourmet International AG →
Active · founded 1992 · Switzerland
Gate Gourmet International AG is a leading supplier of in-flight food service for the global airline industry.
Gate Gourmet International AG →
Active · founded 1992 · Switzerland
Gate Gourmet International AG is a leading supplier of in-flight food service for the global airline industry.
Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc.
Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon, Inc.
Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise Inc.
Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise Inc. →
Active · founded 1992
Mashantucket Pequot Gaming Enterprise Inc.
The WesterN SizzliN Corporation →
Active · founded 1992
Foti stayed on as CEO of the combined company, which received a major financial boost in June 2000 when it reached a…
The WesterN SizzliN Corporation →
Active · founded 1992
Foti stayed on as CEO of the combined company, which received a major financial boost in June 2000 when it reached a…
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1993
Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
Ameristar Casinos, Inc. →
Defunct · founded 1993
Ameristar Casinos, Inc.
Landry's Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Landry's Restaurants, Inc.
Landry's Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Landry's Restaurants, Inc.
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.
Texas Roadhouse, Inc. →
Active · founded 1993
Texas Roadhouse, Inc.
Buca, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Buca, Inc.
Buca, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Buca, Inc.
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc.
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc. →
Active · founded 1994
Rock Bottom Restaurants, Inc.
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority →
Active · founded 1995
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority operates the Mohegan Sun casino for the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut.
Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority →
Active · founded 1995
The Mohegan Tribal Gaming Authority operates the Mohegan Sun casino for the Mohegan Tribe of Indians of Connecticut.
Richtree Inc. →
Active · founded 1996 · Canada
Richtree Inc.
Richtree Inc. →
Active · founded 1996 · Canada
Richtree Inc.
Caffè Nero Group PLC →
Active · founded 1997 · United Kingdom
Caffè Nero Group PLC ranks as one of the three largest operators of espresso shops in the United Kingdom, trailing…
Caffè Nero Group PLC →
Active · founded 1997 · United Kingdom
Caffè Nero Group PLC ranks as one of the three largest operators of espresso shops in the United Kingdom, trailing…
Cosi, Inc. →
Active · founded 1999
Cosi, Inc.
Cosi, Inc. →
Active · founded 1999
Cosi, Inc.
SanomaWSOY Corporation →
Active · founded 1999 · Finland
Finland's SanomaWSOY Corporation leapt onto the broader European media scene with the 2001 acquisition of VNU's…
SanomaWSOY Corporation →
Active · founded 1999 · Finland
Finland's SanomaWSOY Corporation leapt onto the broader European media scene with the 2001 acquisition of VNU's…
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