Keeping the drive-in burger joint alive sounds like a good idea to this company. Sonic Corp. operates the largest chain of quick-service drive-ins in the US, with more than 3,500 locations in more than 40 states. (The chain has a significant presence in the South, namely in Texas.) The eateries offer a menu of hamburgers, chili cheese hot dogs (Coneys), onion rings, and tater tots, along with breakfast burritos, wrap sandwiches, and frozen desserts. Most locations offer drive-thru service and some have indoor seating. The company operates and has a majority interest in about 470 of the restaurants, while the rest are operated by franchisees.

MGM Grand Hotel operates one of the world's largest casino resorts. Opened in 1993, the MGM Grand Las Vegas includes four towers with more than 6,000 hotel rooms and some 160,000 sq. ft. of casino space, which includes some 2,500 slot machines and 160 table games. The casino, which takes up an entire city block on the Las Vegas Strip, also serves as a venue for concerts, sporting events, and magic shows. Other attractions include a Cirque du Soleil show, restaurants from celebrity chefs such as Wolfgang Puck and Emeril Lagasse, shopping outlets, a swimming-pool complex, a spa, a wedding chapel, and a lion habitat. MGM Grand is a subsidiary of MGM Resorts International.

In 1980, inspired after a trip to the US, a Frenchman named Christian Picart opened an American-style family steakhouse with a Wild West theme south of Paris. Buffalo Grill now has more than 300 restaurants across Europe that serve affordable steaks along with such dishes as bison steaks, chicken wings, and ostrich meat. (Since it's France, there's still a cheese plate.) The restaurants are designed to resemble saloons of the American Old West, complete with oil lamps, totem poles, and wait staff dressed like cowboys. The family-friendly atmosphere even offers a game room for children. Colyzeo, a joint venture between investment firm Eurazeo and US-based Colony Capital took Buffalo Grill private in 2007.

These Jets begin boarding at the start of every football season. A storied franchise in the National Football League, the New York Jets claim just one Super Bowl title, but its victory over the favored Baltimore Colts (now the Indianapolis Colts) in 1969 was one of the more famous matches in the history of championship. The franchise, founded by broadcaster Harry Wismer as the Titans, was a founding member of the American Football League in 1960 and joined the NFL when the leagues merged in 1970. Robert Johnson IV, whose family founded pharmaceutical giant Johnson & Johnson, has owned the team since 2000.

USA Track & Field (USATF) has its membership on the run -- and the discus, shot-put, decathlon, and javelin. The group is the governing body for track and field sports, long distance running, and race walking in the US. It has about 100,000 members and sanctions more than 4,000 events a year; member groups include the NCAA, Road Runners Club of America, and the National Federation of State High School Associations. The organization sets rules, promotes the sport, and selects the US track and field Olympic teams. Its nearly 60 associations direct 2,500 local clubs. USATF traces its heritage to the Amateur Athletic Union, founded in New York City in 1878.

Tropical Smoothie Franchise Development operates a chain of more than 280 franchised fruit snack outlets in Florida and more than 30 other states. The chain specializes in real fruit smoothies, including low-fat, dessert, and power varieties; its menu includes such items as Blimey Limey, Mocha Madness, Blue Lagoon, and Get Up and Goji. Tropical Smoothie Cafe locations also offer salads, soups, wraps, and sandwiches, as well as breakfast items. In addition, many locations provide catering services. Eric Jenrich and his wife Delora opened the first Tropical Smoothie Cafe in 1993.

Fogo de Chao Churrascaria operates a chain of about 20 restaurants across the US and in Brazil specializing in Brazilian-style churrasco, a traditional way of slow roasting meat. Customers at Fogo de Chao (pronounced fo-go dèe shoun) can help themselves from unlimited servings of meat from the gaúcho chefs, who keep bringing food until guests turn over their serving card from green to red. Brothers Arri and Jair Coser opened their first Fogo de Chao in Brazil in 1979 and exported the concept to the US in 1997. Fogo de Chao Churrascaria (Holding) LLC is backed by Brazilian investment firm GP Investimentos.

Club One wants to be the number one club for fitness fanatics. Club One operates approximately 15 Club One fitness centers in Northern California. It also runs five Frog's Fitness clubs in Southern California and the San Diego area. Most locations include team and individual sports, fitness classes, group exercise classes, physical therapy, and spa and wellness programs. Many locations also offer childcare services. Club One also runs fitness and wellness programs and manages some 60 fitness facilities for companies, municipalities, apartments, and schools. Clients include Motorola, eBay, and the JCC Association. Club One Inc. was founded by husband and wife John and Jill Kinney in 1991.

Western hospitality has really spread. Begun in 1946 by hotelier M. K. Guertin and named for its California origins, Best Western has more than 4,000 independently owned and operated hotels (including 2,200-plus in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean), making it the world's largest hotel brand (by number of rooms). Hotels sport its flag in about 80 countries and territories; Australia and the UK have the most outside the US. The company has about 100 Best Western Premier branded hotels in Asia and Europe, which offer a higher level of amenities and services. Best Western is organized as a not-for-profit membership association, with most of its sales coming from monthly fees and annual dues.

Johnny Rockets is an international restaurant chain that provides the food, fun and friendliness reminiscent of feel-good Americana. On June 6, 1986, the first Johnny Rockets opened on Melrose Avenue in Los Angeles, offering guests friendly service and great food in a fun and nostalgic atmosphere. Every original Johnny Rockets restaurant boasts great tasting food from a menu of favorites including juicy hamburgers, classic sandwiches, and hand-dipped shakes and malts. Guests also enjoy an all-American look and feel, tabletop jukeboxes and authentic décor.

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