Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc. was founded in 1969. Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, operates as a hotel and leisure company worldwide. The company primarily operates luxury and upscale full service hotels, retreats, and residences. It also engages in the development, ownership, and operation of vacation ownership resorts; marketing and selling vacation ownership interests in the resorts; and provision of financing to customers who purchase such interests. In addition, the company develops, markets, and sells residential units at mixed use hotel projects. As of December 31, 2009, its hotel portfolio included 979 owned, leased, managed, and franchised hotels with approximately 292,000 rooms. The company also had 22 vacation ownership resorts and residential properties in the United States, Mexico, and the Bahamas. It operates hotels and resorts under various brand names comprising St. Regis, The Luxury Collection, W, Westin, Le Meridien, Sheraton, Four Points, aloft, and Element.

Steak and salad fans might have the hots for this company's restaurants. Western Sizzlin operates a chain of more than 100 family steak houses in about 20 states mostly under the name WesterN SizzliN. The eateries serve a menu of standard American fare but are primarily known for their flame-grilled steaks and fully stocked salad bars. In addition to its flagship brand, the company has a small number of locations operating under the names Great American Steak & Buffet and Quincy Steakhouse. Nearly all the restaurants are franchised. Western Sizzlin was acquired by Biglari Holdings in 2010.

Bob Evans Farms got its start when our founder, Bob Evans, began making sausage on his southeastern Ohio farm to serve at a 12-stool diner he owned in nearby Gallipolis in 1948. "We served a lot of breakfasts, but we couldn't get any decent sausage," Bob recalled. "So I decided to start making my own from hogs raised right on our farm, using all the best parts of the hog, including the hams and tenderloins." The restaurant drew many truck drivers who traveled through the region. "You might say the truck drivers did my research for me," Bob said. "They would tell me that this was the best sausage they ever had, and then buy 10-pound tubs to take home." These good reports prompted Bob Evans to go into the sausage business. The building where he made the sausage was built with open ends, at the suggestion of his father, so it could be used as a machinery shed if the sausage business failed. But, it didn't fail. In 1953, a group of friends and family recognized the growing demand for Bob's sausage and became business partners by establishing Bob Evans Farms.

Looking for red meat in the Carolinas? Claremont Restaurant Group (CSG) has just the place. The company operates about 25 casual dining restaurants under the Sagebrush Steakhouse banner in four states, mostly in North Carolina. The restaurants serve steak, seafood, and chicken entrees along with the usual assortment of starters and side dishes. Other CSG brands include Prime Sirloin Family Steakhouse, a buffet concept with locations in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; and Western Steer Family Steakhouse. Industry veteran and CEO Jim Peterson owns the company. CSG entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2010.

The Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA) promotes the sport of disc golf, a game played with specially designed flying discs and baskets, rather than dimpled balls and holes. Founded in 1976, the PDGA sanctions about 550 annual amateur and professional competitions (including championship events) and boasts more than 16,000 members in about 20 countries. The sport has seen rapid growth, from one course in 1975 to more than 2,500 today. The vast majority of disc golf courses are in the US.

The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, also known as The Kennedy Center, traces its roots to 1958 when president Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Cultural Center Act calling for a privately funded venture featuring a variety of classic and contemporary programming with an educational focus. The center was a pet project and fund raiser beneficiary of president Kennedy; it was named as a living memorial to him after his death. Located on 17 acres overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the center opened in 1971 and presents some 2,000 events a year including musicals, dance performances, and jazz and orchestral concerts. It also produces TV programming, workshops, and lectures.

Cosi's recipe calls for one part coffee house, one part sandwich shop, and one part cocktail bar. The company operates and franchises about 150 eclectic Così cafes in almost 20 states offering premium and specialty coffees and made-to-order sandwiches. Its menu also features breakfast items (including its bagel-inspired Squagels), salads, soups, and desserts. Most of the company's restaurants also offer dinner and drinks after 5 p.m., while its Cosi Downtown units (primarily located in non-residential business districts) close in the evening. Cosi also offers delivery and catering services. About 100 of the locations are company-owned while the rest are franchised.

Dunfermline Athletic Football Club plays football (soccer) in the Bank of Scotland Scottish Premier League. Known as the Pars, Dunfermline Athletic FC plays home games at the 12,000-capacity East End Park. The team's uniform is sponsored by The Purvis Group and is supplied by TFG Sports. Dunfermline narrowly avoided relegation from the Premier League in 2005. Former player Jim Leishman took over as manager in 2005, returning to the post he first held from 1983 to 1990. The company also operates the Gallery Restaurant and Legends Sports Bar on its premises.

Carlson Hotels Worldwide has a little R&R on its mind. One of the world's leading hotel franchisors, Carlson operates five lodging chains with more than 1,000 properties in more than 70 countries, including the upscale Radisson Hotel brand. The Radisson chain offers upscale amenities at more than 400 locations in about 70 countries. Carlson also owns the mid-market Park Plaza Hotels & Resorts chain, as well as the Park Inn economy brand. In addition, its Country Inn & Suites chain provides extended-stay service at more than 480 locations. And with a 42% stake, Carlson is the largest shareholder in The Rezidor Hotel Group. Carlson Hotels is a division of leisure conglomerate Carlson Companies.

Union Square Hospitality Group is a leading operator of upscale Manhattan dining spots with a portfolio of 10 restaurants. Owned by chef Danny Meyer, the company's portfolio includes Eleven Madison Park, the Gramercy Tavern, and Tabla, as well as Meyer's flagship Union Square Cafe. It also runs Cafe 2 and Terrace 5 located at the Museum of Modern Art, as well as the popular Shake Shack burger stands in Manhattan. In addition to dining, Union Square Hospitality offers catering and concessions services through its Hudson Yards Catering unit. Meyer helped pioneer the concept of American cuisine with the opening of New York City's Union Square Cafe in 1985.

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