Ripley Entertainment believes in weirdness. Ripley Entertainment, Inc., a subsidiary of Canadian conglomerate Jim Pattison, publishes the "Ripley's Believe It or Not!" oddities comic strip that appears in about 200 newspapers in more than 40 countries, and licenses its name for toys and games, as well as a Paramount Pictures-produced movie based on the life of the company's founder. It also owns about 60 other entertainment attractions -- including Ripley's Believe It or Not! museums (called odditoriums), Louis Tussaud's Wax Museum, aquariums, 3-D simulation theaters, haunted house adventure parks, miniature golf courses, and sightseeing trains. The brand was created by cartoonist Robert L. Ripley in 1918.

Stratus Media Group, Inc. is a professional event marketing and management organization that owns, operates, manages, and promotes live sports and entertainment events. Stratus Media Group, Inc. events generate revenues from a number of sources including ticket sales, sponsorships, broadcast rights, merchandise, concessions, parking and hospitality activities. To be the USA’s most effective sports marketing, entertainment and management firm in generating maximum earnings potential for talent, properties and events and in assisting corporate clients in creating a sustainable competitive advantage and improved profitablity.

You might say this company keeps the nightlife lively in the Northwest. McMenamins is a diversified leisure company that operates a portfolio of more than 50 pubs, bars, microbreweries, and restaurants in Oregon and Washington under such names as Blue Moon Tavern & Grill, High Street Brewery & Cafe, and Market Street Pub, as well as a number of locations under the McMenamins brand name. It also operates eight historic hotels, eight movie theaters, and several live music venues. Brothers Mike and Brian McMenamin started their pub and hotel empire with some college friends (who've since moved on) in 1974.

Gators might come to mind first when you think of Florida sports, but these big cats have a following, too. The Jacksonville Jaguars joined the National Football League as an expansion franchise in 1995, along with the Carolina Panthers. The team quickly gained respect by securing playoff berths the following four years, but the Jags have struggled to be a consistent contender in the years since. The team plays host at Jacksonville Municipal Stadium. Wayne Weaver, chairman and majority owner of retailer Shoe Carnival, owns 48% of the team, while a group of local businessmen owns the rest.

Gaylord Entertainment (NYSE: GET) is a leading hospitality and entertainment company based in Nashville, Tennessee, one of the friendliest, easiest-to-live-in cities in America. Our industry-leading brands include Gaylord Hotels, the award-winning leader in the meeting and resort hotels industry and the Grand Ole Opry, the legendary music showcase in Nashville, Tennessee. Our entertainment brands and properties include the Radisson Hotel Opryland, Ryman Auditorium, General Jackson Showboat, Gaylord Springs Golf Links, Wildhorse Saloon, and WSM-AM.

Beef and ice cream is an unbeatable combination for this restaurant company. Formerly The Steak n Shake Company, Biglari Holdings is a multi-concept dining operator with two chains operating under the names Steak n Shake and WesterN SizzliN. Its flagship concept encompasses more than 480 company-owned and franchised family dining spots in more than 20 states, mostly in the Midwest and Southeast. The diners, open 24-hours a day, are popular for their Steakburger sandwiches and milkshakes, as well as breakfast items and other dishes. About 400 of the units are company-owned, while the rest are franchised. WesterN SizzliN, meanwhile, oversees more than 100 franchised steak buffet restaurants in about 20 states.

Santa Cruz Seaside Company has been making people scream, laugh, and spend money for more than a century. Santa Cruz Seaside Company operates the Santa Cruz Boardwalk amusement park in California, which has been touted the "Coney Island of the West". The park features about 35 rides, 30 restaurants, 15 retail shops, arcades, miniature golf, bowling, and conference and banquet facilities. The property is a State Historic Landmark, while its Looff Carousel (1911) and Giant Dipper roller coaster (1924) are both National Historic Landmarks. In addition, some arcade games date back to 1910. The Canfield family, including chairman and president Charles own the company. The Boardwalk celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2007.

Fitcorp helps Boston residents burn off those baked beans. The company builds and manages about 10 fitness centers in the Boston area, with a total membership of about 14,000. The clubs offer the usual cardio and yoga classes, in addition to services such as massages, acupuncture, nutrition and fitness seminars, personal training, and health screenings. Through the company's Corporate Fitness Benefit Program, employees of Boston area companies can join Fitcorp at reduced membership rates and participate in fitness and wellness programs delivered at company's worksite centers; the program serves more than 175 companies. Fitcorp was founded in 1979 by president and CEO Gary Klencheski.

Time traveling DeLoreans, great white sharks, and dinosaurs are just part of a normal day at Universal Parks & Resorts. Universal Parks & Resorts operates the Universal Studios Hollywood movie-themed amusement park and resort. It also operates Universal Orlando and Universal Studios Japan in Osaka. The parks feature attractions based on movies from sister studio Universal Pictures such as Back to the Future, Jaws, and "Jurassic Park. " They also house hotels, IMAX theaters, and water parks. The Hollywood and Orlando parks contain CityWalks, family-oriented entertainment centers with restaurants and shopping. The company is owned by Universal Studios (itself part of NBC Universal) and private equity firm The Blackstone Group.

Leona's Pizzeria operates about a dozen pizza restaurants in and around the Chicago area. The small casual-dining chain's menu features Leona's signature Sicilian style pizza, along with appetizers, sandwiches, lasagna, and other Italian-style entree items. In addition to dine-in seating, most of the restaurants offer delivery and catering services. Matriarch Leona Pianetto Molinaro Scemla opened the first Leona's in 1950; her family, led by Salvatore Toia, continues to own and operate the chain.

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