PizzaExpress hopes its menu items will put your taste buds on the fast track to Rome. The company operates about 350 upscale-casual restaurants that specialize in authentic Neapolitan-style pizzas. Patrons can choose from almost two dozen kinds of thin-crust pies, as well as salads and a selection of antipasti (appetizers). In addition to its locations in the UK and Ireland (which operate under the Milano name), PizzaExpress has some franchised outposts in a few other countries. The company is a subsidiary of Gondola Group, which also owns ASK Restaurants. Peter Boizot opened the first PizzaExpress in 1965.

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.

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.

This company's empire stretches from surf to turf to Fremont Street. Landry's Restaurants is a leading full-service restaurant operator with more than 170 locations in about 30 states, mostly in Texas and Florida. The company's estate of eateries is anchored by its flagship Landry's Seafood House chain; other concepts include Rainforest Cafe, Saltgrass Steak House, and the upscale Chart House. In addition to casual dining, Landry's owns and operates the iconic Golden Nugget Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas, along with a number of other entertainment properties, including aquariums, hotels, and other tourist attractions. CEO Tilman Fertitta, who owns a 55% stake in the company, has agreed to take Landry's private.

Macdonald Hotels Limited operates hotels and resorts in the United Kingdom. Macdonald Hotels & Resorts company operates a chain of hotels in Scotland, England, and Wales that feature accommodation rooms, leisure and spa facilities, ice rooms, swimming pools, gyms, and restaurants. It also operates a network of holiday resorts in the United Kingdom and Spain. Macdonald Hotels & Resorts company was founded in 1990 and is based in Bathgate, the United Kingdom. Macdonald Hotels Limited operates as a subsidiary of Lloyds Banking Group plc.

Richtree Market Restaurants operates a small number of casual dining spots in Toronto, Ottawa, and other parts of Ontario. It has a half dozen restaurants that specialize in Mediterranean-style cuisine with a menu that features past, pizza, and seafood dishes. The market restaurants also serve gourmet coffee and pastries, as well as some breakfast items. Richtree Market Restaurants was formed in 2005 with backing from US-based investment group Catalyst Fund.

Founder, Craig Nickoloff, opened the original Claim Jumper Restaurant in Los Alamitos, California on September 27, 1977. Today, there are 46 locations throughout Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Nevada, Oregon, Washington and Wisconsin.Claim Jumper Restaurants are popular with a large audience including families, children, seniors and business professionals. Our friendly environment is ideal for celebrating special occasions, hosting a business lunch or gathering for a delicious meal with friends and family. Open daily for lunch and dinner, Claim Jumper offers a selection of freshly prepared items using only the finest ingredients available. Favorites include USDA Prime and Choice steaks, fresh fish, rotisserie chicken, baby back pork ribs, fresh baked pot pies, specialty salads, wood-fired pizzas, pasta, sandwiches, burgers and more. Claim Jumper's baked goods and desserts including our Six-Layer Chocolate Motherlode Cake, Bread Pudding, Scratch Carrot Cake, Lemon Bar Brule and five flavors of deliciously rich cream cheese pie are popular favorites with our guests.

The Indian Hotels Company (IHCL) operates the Taj Hotels Resorts and Palaces, also known as the Taj Group. The company operates approximately 60 luxury, leisure, and business lodging facilities in India; it has an additional 15 overseas locations in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, the Middle East, and North America. Included in its portfolio is The Pierre hotel on New York's Fifth Avenue. Most properties are owned by the company or its affiliates and subsidiaries, but some are managed under contract. IHCL is part of Indian industrial conglomerate Tata Group.

Port City Java was unveiled in Wilmington, NC with a mission to roast and serve the finest coffee and espresso in a warm and inviting atmosphere. This profoundly simple attitude has unwittingly been the impetus for outstanding company growth and honest community involvement. Today, Port City Java® is an international company approaching 60 cafes backed by a strong brand name and broad channels of distribution. Port City Java offers a great variety of all-day items in addition to the many different coffees brewing at any given time. We also offer our Fairganic coffees, which are USDA Organic Certified and Fair Trade Certified. This is an exclusive segment with outstanding growth potential.

Gondola Group is the leading UK casual dining group operating PizzaExpress, ASK, Zizzi, BYRON and Kettners, together with a number of smaller brands.The Group employs approximately 13,500 people, serving over 38 million meals a year in over 600 restaurants. Hop aboard this company to take an epicurean journey to Italy. Gondola Group operates more than 580 casual dining restaurants in the UK under the banners PizzaExpress, ASK, and Zizzi. PizzaExpress is a leading purveyor of gourmet pizzas with about 350 locations designed to appeal to hip urbanites, while ASK is popular for its broad menu of Italian pasta and pizza favorites served at more than 110 units. Zizzi, with about 100 outposts, offers authentic dishes Italian served in an upscale, contemporary setting. Gondola is controlled by private equity firm Cinven.

Inviting Real Estate Agents, Job Placements Agents, Educational Institutes, Software Service Providers, Real Estate Builders, Marriage Bureaus, Travel Agents, Restaurant Owners, Health & Fitness Centers and other Local Businesses to Post a FREE Classified Advertisement on Cootera.com Classifieds Website.