Thanks to this company, you don't have to travel to Texas to get some Houston flavor. Hillstone Restaurant Group operates a small portfolio of about 50 upscale casual-dining restaurants, including its flagship Houston's chain. With more than 30 locations mostly in big city markets around the country, Houston's offers a menu of classic American foods, including burgers, ribs, and seafood dishes. The restaurants are distinct from one another by utilizing different exterior and interior designs. Hillstone also operates about a dozen other eateries under such names as Bandera, Cafe R+D, Gulfstream, and Rutherford Grill. CEO George Biel opened the first Houston's in 1977.

Houston NFL Holdings owns and operates the Houston Texans professional football team, which entered the National Football League as an expansion franchise in 2002. Still a nascent member of the NFL, the team has yet to secure any championship titles, but it has already gained a loyal following among fans throughout the Lone Star State. The Texans play host at Reliant Stadium. Houston billionaire Bob McNair, who founded and then sold Cogen Technologies, leads the ownership group.

Cardiff City Football Club plays football (soccer) in the Football League Championship (formerly known as Division 1). After humble beginnings in the early 1900s, the Cardiff City FC Bluebirds began league play in 1920. Supporters recall 1927 as the year Cardiff City Football Club became the first and only team from outside of England to win what is now known as the FA Cup. The Cardiff City FC is run by chairman Peter Ridsdale. The team's uniforms are supplied by Puma.

This hockey team has a multi-national roster but it is all Canadian at heart. Club de hockey Canadien owns and operates the Montreal Canadiens, one of the oldest and most storied franchises in the National Hockey League. Since its formation in 1909, the team has won a record 24 Stanley Cup championships, second only to the New York Yankees as the most successful sports team in North America. The Canadiens play host at Montreal's Bell Center. Canada's Molson family, led by brothers Geoff, Andrew, and Justin Molson, acquired the team from American businessman George Gillett, Jr., in 2009.

Jazz Basketball Investors owns and operates the Utah Jazz professional basketball franchise, which joined the National Basketball Association in 1974 as the New Orleans Jazz. Since moving to Salt Lake City in 1979, the team has made two NBA Finals appearances in 1997 and 1998 (losing both times to the Chicago Bulls). The Jazz plays host to loyal fans at Salt Lake's EnergySolutions Arena. The family of Larry Miller (Larry H. Miller Group) has owned the team since 1985.

Fancy dress is not required at these eateries, but wearing some kind of attire is recommended. Naked Restaurants operates three Naked Fish upscale casual dining restaurants in Massachusetts that specialize in fresh seafood dishes served "naked" (without sauces or seasonings) or "not-so-naked." The mini chain also serves steaks, salads, and sides, along with its popular Cuban cocktails. Naked Restaurants was formed in 1998 by president Joey Crugnale, who was also the entrepreneur behind the Bertucci's Italian dining chain.

Shari's restaurants began in Hermiston, Oregon, in 1978. Positive public reaction to Shari's 24-hour family dining concept led to the establishment of a second restaurant in Sherwood, Oregon, within one year. Shari's has continued to open new restaurants, now operating 104 restaurants throughout the Western U.S., primarily in Oregon and Washington. Food revenues are in excess of $175 million; making it the largest privately held restaurant chain in Oregon. Shari's is operated out of Beaverton, OR. The original owners, Ron and Sharon Bergquist, operated the company for seven years. Sharon went by the name "Shari," which explains how the restaurant got its name.

Boston hockey fans roar in approval -- and in disapproval -- of their Bruins. Operated by Boston Professional Hockey Association, the team is the third-oldest surviving franchise in the National Hockey League and has made 17 trips to the Stanley cup finals, winning five championship titles (the last in 1972). The storied hockey club, which plays host at TD Garden, has boasted several Hall of Fame players on the roster, including Phil Esposito, Cam Neely, and Bobby Orr. Formed in 1924, the Bruins franchise has been owned since 1974 by Jeremy Jacobs, chairman of concessions giant Delaware North.The Boston Professional Hockey Association Inc. is the corporation that operates the Boston Bruins, the first American franchise in the National Hockey League. Playing in a state-of-the-art arena, the FleetCenter, and enjoying the stable ownership of Jeremy M. Jacobs, chairman and chief executive officer of the highly successful Delaware North Companies, the Bruins are one of hockey's most successful franchises. On the ice, the team has known periods of greatness, and over the last three decades of the 20th century, it was one of the most consistent winners in all of team sports, making the Stanley Cup playoffs 29 consecutive seasons.

Michigan Bureau of State Lottery, better known as the Michigan Lottery, operates games of chance offering payouts to winning players while returning money to state education coffers. Lottery games include both instant-win and number games. Michigan Lottery also oversees club games (Club Keno and Pull Tabs) offered at bars and restaurants throughout the state. Proceeds from lottery games are used for the School Aid Fund, which finances a number of public education programs. Michigan started its lottery in 1972.

R&B Realty Group and Worldwide Corporate Housing (doing business as Oakwood Worldwide) provides housing where customers are free to fly the coop. R&B Realty Group company provides temporary furnished apartments and extended-stay lodging. It has more than 20,000 residences in 4,000 locations throughout North America, Europe, and Asia operating through several brands. Its Oakwood Corporate Housing maintains leases on residential units, and Oakwood Apartments offers both furnished and unfurnished units. Its Oakwood Residences brand supplements apartment life with the services of a hotel. R&B Realty Group company offers upscale, luxury apartments through its Oakwood Premier brand. Oakwood was founded in 1962 by chairman and CEO Howard Ruby.

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