LANDRY'S RESTAURANTS, LEADING NATIONAL SEAFOOD CHAIN: Award-Winning Restaurant Chain Offers Variety of Dining Concepts
Houston,
Texas - SEPTEMBER 30, 2002
HOUSTON - Landry's Restaurants Inc., is the second-largest and fastest growing casual-dining, full-service seafood chain in the country. Publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (LNY), Landry's owns and operates 279 restaurants across the country, including Landry's Seafood House, Joe's Crab Shack, The Crab House, Rainforest Café. The Chart House, Saltgrass Steak House, and Willie G's. With its multi-concept approach, Landry's appeals to guests of all ages and backgrounds.
History of Landry's Restaurants:
The first Landry's opened in Katy, Texas in 1980. In 1988, Tilman J. Fertitta acquired sole ownership of the company. He bought an interest in the restaurant in 1986 and then added the first Willie G's the following year. In 1988, he acquired sole ownership of the company and developed it into a recognized seafood restaurant chain.
In five years, the company grew from two to 11 restaurants, including locations in Fertitta's native Galveston, San Antonio, Dallas, Austin and Corpus Christi, before going
public in 1993. Since then, Landry's has consistently been one of the best performing
restaurant stocks on Wall Street. In 1994, Nation's Restaurant News named Landry's Seafood House one of nine "Hot Restaurant Concepts of the Nineties."
Landry's Seafood House:
Landry's Seafood House restaurants appeal to a broad range of customers by offering generous portions of fresh seafood and excellent service at attractive prices in a high-energy atmosphere. The restaurants feature a wide variety of broiled, grilled and fried seafood including red snapper, shrimp, crawfish, lump crab meat, lobster, scallops, flounder and oysters, as well as traditional and regional seafood items. The restaurants also feature signature toppings to enhance the flavor of the fresh seafood.
Landry's also offers a line of certified Angus beef, fresh pastas, choice poultry and an array of tempting and mouth-watering desserts. Landry's Seafood House locations are recognized by their movie-style marquees on the front of an eye-catching wood and brick exterior. The interiors feature large, open dining rooms and vintage signs designed to recreate the airy, energetic atmosphere of a 1940s Gulf Coast seafood house.
Joe's Crab Shack:
Landry's acquired the first Joe's Crab Shack in 1994 and planned to convert it into a Landry's Seafood House. However, under the Landry's management, the restaurant took on a life of its own and became one of the most popular concepts in the family of restaurants. In 1996, Joe's Crab Shack joined the previously honored Landry's Seafood House as one of eight "Hot Concepts!" by Nation's Restaurant News.
The largest concept, Joe's Crab Shack is characterized by its casual, fun and
relaxed atmosphere. Designed to resemble an old fish camp, crabs are prepared all ways imaginable - from garlic steamed Alaskan king crab to barbecued blue crab. Many of the facilities incorporate a small playground area for children adjacent to family dining areas, and are popular waterfront restaurant destinations.
Joe's Crab Shack is best described as well-orchestrated chaos with the wait staff likely to lead guests in a wild rendition of the latest dance craze. The restaurant are decorated with funky signs, rambling decks, mismatched tile-top tables and picnic benches. The most commonly seen utensil is a mallet to open the world-famous crabs served fresh daily at Joe's. In addition to a variety of crabs, Joe's Crab Shack also offers other imaginative selections including seafood combinations, colorful salads, bountiful sandwiches, pastas, steaks and chicken.
The Crab House:
In August 1996, Landry's further established itself as a preeminent growth company and segment leader in the public restaurant market by acquiring the Bayport Restaurant Group, Inc., operator of the 17-unit The Crab House restaurants, which originated in Miami. The Crab House features a clean, nautical motif and resembles a traditional East Coast seafood house. Specializing in crabs, the restaurant is known for serving excellent quality seafood in an inviting and lively atmosphere.
Willie G's Seafood and Steakhouse:
Willie G's is known for its upscale ambience and beautiful interiors. Like its sister
restaurants, Willie G's specializes in fresh seafood and adds steaks, pastas, chicken
and desserts to its list of signature dishes. Since opening in 1980, Willie G's has established itself as a favorite among the local business crowd, area residents and travelers. Citrus and almond rainbow trout and blackened snapper ponchartrain, along with broiled, grilled or fried regional catches are among the specialties of Willie G's. In addition to seafood, diners can expect to find out-of-the-water treasures including pecan crusted chicken, charbroiled duck opelousas, torn chicken pasta and a variety of Angus steaks. The interior of Willie G's is a lovely mixture of dark wood paneling and furnishings with the vibrant colors of beautiful artwork and floor coverings.
The Cadillac Authentic Mexican Bar and Grill:
The Cadillac Authentic Mexican Bar and Grill breaks the seafood mold by offering some of the finest Tex-Mex available while having a raucous good time. In a world of trendy restaurants, Cadillac Bar is recognized as one of the best restaurants in Houston, offering "the best Mexican food north of the border." Celebrity diners have included former President George Bush, Elton John, Billy Joel, Randy Quaid and more. Cadillac Bar has been a legendary spot for fun, frivolity and the famous "Tequila Girl."
Rainforest Café:
In 2000, Landry's acquired Rainforest Café, which currently has 25 locations across the country and 10 overseas. Rainforest Café develops, owns and operates combination restaurant/retail facilities in a stimulating and entertaining rainforest theme.
The sights, sounds and aromas of a tropical rainforest are recreated through creative
and detailed use of décor, animatronics and special effects. Lush vegetation, larger-than-life Banyan trees, cascading waterfalls, majestic rock formations, shooting stars and changing constellations, tropical music, cool mists and simulated rain storms, complete with thunder and lightning fill the facility.
Whimsical butterflies, trumpeting elephants, playful primates, snapping crocodiles, slithering snakes and other indigenous wildlife inhabit this authentic rainforest environment.
Chart House:
In 2002, Landry's acquired 39 Chart House restaurants, located predominantly on the East and West coasts of the United States. The Chart House restaurants are renowned in the industry for having among the best collection of waterfront restaurant locations in the country.
Some of its most popular locations include the restored 18th century former office of John Hancock on Boston's Long Wharf, beachfront dining on Malibu beach, the modern three-tiered glass restaurant in Philadelphia overlooking the Delaware River, and prime locations in historic Alexandria, Va., and Annapolis, Md. In addition, one location overlooks the Hudson River, offering spectacular views of New York City.
The Chart House restaurants offer an expansive selection of high quality fresh fish, seafood and steaks to consumers across the country. Many of these locations offer stunning views of either the Atlantic Ocean, Pacific Ocean, area lakes or area mountain ranges.
The C. A. Muer Corporation:
Landry's also acquired The C. A. Muer Corporation in 2002. It owns 16 fine dining and upscale casual seafood establishments in six states, and its restaurants operate under the names Charley's Crab, Gandy Dancer, The Grand Concourse, Big Fish, and Chuck & Harold's. The upscale eateries are located at some of the most unique, high profile and landmark locations in the country.
From the dazzling, 500-seat Grand Concourse in the former Pittsburgh & Lake Erie Railroad Station - which is on the National Register of Historic Sites - to the Gandy Dancer located in the beautifully restored 1886 Michigan Central Railroad Depot, to the waterfront Charley's Crabs located along the infamous Florida inter-coastal waterway, to the trendy Chuck & Harold's found in the heart of tony Palm Beach, the restaurants offer fine food and service to guests throughout the country.
Saltgrass Seafood & Steak House:
Also in 2002, Landry's acquired the 27 Texas-based Saltgrass Steak House and Seafood restaurants from Metro National for $75 million.
The Saltgrass Steak House restaurants are well known in Texas for their fun, casual decor, excellent steaks and seafood, and friendly, attentive service. Saltgrass has caught the attention of the restaurant industry, being listed among Restaurant Hospitality's "50 fastest growing full service restaurant chains in America," as well as in the top 10 highest average unit sales volumes.
The Saltgrass legend dates back to the mid-1800s, when millions of Longhorns
roamed freely in Texas. With beef becoming a newfound favorite in the North, Texas
ranchers prospered. Each winter, Longhorns were driven to the Texas Gulf Coast to graze on the rich coastal salt grass. When they headed for market, they followed the legendary Salt Grass Trail, which was known for the best beef in the Texas. In 1952, this historic trail ride was revived to publicize the opening of the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
The ride has become an annual celebration of the original Texas spirit, and the first Saltgrass Steak House still stands along this historic trail. Saltgrass Steak House recaptures the flavor of the open campfire, offering char-grilled steaks, chicken and seafood, and complemented with breads, desserts, dressings and soups made in-house daily.
Kemah Boardwalk:
Landry's also is developer, owner and operator of the 40-acre dining and entertainment complex, Kemah Boardwalk. Overlooking Galveston Bay just south of Houston, the boardwalk consists of seven large high-volume restaurants, whimsical amusement rides, mid-way games, a hotel, dancing fountains, retail shops and a 424-slip marina. Listed as the number one attraction in Houston by the Greater Houston Convention and Visitor's Bureau, with more than 2 million annual visitors, Kemah Boardwalk has become a regular stop for area residents and vacationers.
Downtown Aquarium:
In early 2003, Landry's will open Downtown Aquarium, a family-oriented dining and entertainment complex offering a public aquarium boasting 500,000 gallons of underwater
tanks with 200 species of domestic and international marine life, a 400-seat seafood restaurant, a casual themed café, a 6,000-square-foot ballroom that seats 700, a lounge, a plaza with dancing fountains, a gift shop and amusements for the entire family.
More than $30 million is being spent by the company to build the six-acre complex. Amusements will include an aquatic-designed 100-foot Ferris wheel, a 36-foot Carrousel, a gas-powered train, and an observation tower.
Terrific food, a high-energy atmosphere and courteous service create the recipe for success at Landry's Restaurants. The restaurants range in size from 5,000 square feet to 17,000 square feet and generally have dining room seating for more than 200 customers. The restaurants usually include outdoor patio seating built around a waterfront location to create a casual, fun atmosphere.
"We aim to serve outstanding seafood and provide an entertainment value at the same time," said Fertitta, chairman, president and chief executive officer of Landry's Restaurants, Inc. "We find that our customers not only enjoy our food, but also the atmosphere and reasonable prices."
Landry's Restaurants Inc., employs 28,000 workers in 36 states.
Back to Press Releases |