Wetzel's Pretzels (co-founded by Rick Wetzel) operates and franchises about 190 mall-based pretzel stands in more than 25 US states and five other countries (Canada, Lebanon, Mexico, the Philippines, and South Korea). The chain of snack outlets offers fresh-baked pretzels that are available in a variety of flavors, including garlic, cinnamon, and cheese. Wetzel's Pretzels was founded in 1994 and is owned by private equity firm Levine Leichtman Capital Partners.

This company is cooking up something involving frosty, cold beverages. Gordon Biersch Brewery Restaurant Group owns a chain of more than 30 casual dining spots in about 20 states that feature beef, seafood, and pasta items along with a selection of hand-crafted beers. The brewpubs operate mostly under its signature banner; other locations carry the such names as Big River Grille & Brewing Works, Bluewater Grille, and Ragtime Tavern. A small number of Gordon Biersch locations are operated by franchisees. The company was founded as Trolley Barn Breweries in 1992 and acquired the dining operations of independently owned Gordon Biersch Brewing in 1999.

From politicians, celebrities and out-of-town visitors, to generations of Washingtonians, one thing is for sure: Clyde's Restaurant Group attracts D.C.'s most discerning people. People who insist on a stimulating, one-of-a-kind venue but who won't compromise taste. Clyde's taste. It's what makes us different. Clyde, Inc., which does business as Clyde's Restaurant Group, operates more than 15 upscale dining establishments in and around the nation's capital, including its small chain of Clyde's locations. It also owns the historic Old Ebbitt Grill and its lunch-oriented offshoot, Ebbitt Express, as well as the posh 1789 Restaurant. In addition to dining, the company offers catering services through many of its restaurants.

This company adds a touch of Southern hospitality to the family dining scene. Shoney's North America operates and franchises about 250 family-style restaurants in about 20 states, mostly in Tennessee and states to the southeast. Popular for breakfast, the chain offers such morning fare as bacon and eggs, biscuits and gravy, and pancakes, while it lunch and dinner menu includes burgers, chicken, seafood, and steak. Many Shoney's locations also offer an all-you-can-eat buffet. Most of the eateries are operated by franchisees. The Shoney's chain was founded by Alex Schoenbaum in the 1940s. It is part of Royal Hospitality Corp., an Atlanta-based foodservice operator controlled by David Davoudpour.

Vongroup Limited (formerly Kamboat Group Company Limited) operates chains of Kamboat Chinese Cuisine and Kamboat Chiu Chow Cuisine restaurants in Hong Kong. The restaurants offer a variety of Chinese dishes, dim sum, and beverages. The eateries offer catering services as well. Vongroup has a significant interest in Kamboat Bakery, which distributes bakery and other food products, including festival foods, biscuits, and desserts, through more than 20 outlets. The company's restaurants and operations are located in China and Hong Kong.

Crispers operates a small chain of about 40 casual-dining restaurants in Florida. The eateries offer a menu of traditional and flatbread sandwiches, soups, and salads, along with a selection of smoothies and other frozen drinks. In addition to dine-in seating, the restaurants offer take-out service. Crispers was founded in 1989 by Bill Whitaker; it is owned by grocery store operator Publix Super Markets.

Crystal Palace F.C. (2000) owns and operates Crystal Palace F.C., a professional soccer team that completes in the UK's Football League Championship. Known to supporters as The Eagles, the team was formed in 1905 and took its name from London's Crystal Palace, a building made of wrought iron and glass built to house the Great Exhibition of 1851 (the first in a series of World's Fair exhibitions). Crystal Palace F.C. has called Selhurt Park its home ground since 1924. Controlled by chairman Simon Jordan since 2000, the company was put into administration in early 2010.

Namco Limited that brought the world the original Pac-Man, Namco now is part of Namco Bandai, after being acquired by toymaker Bandai (of Mighty Morphin Power Rangers fame) in 2005. Namco is the core company of Namco Bandai's arcade and amusement facilities, which include some 1,700 parks in Asia, Europe, and the Americas, and make up nearly 20% of Namco Bandai's total business. The company's popular NAMCO Wonder Park Hero's Base theme park in Japan has attracted more than 3.5 million visitors since it first opened in 2006.

Thomas & King is #1 in Applebee's neighborhood. The company is one the largest franchisees of Applebee's, operating about 90 of its signature restaurants. The casual dining establishments offer a variety of menu items, such as burgers, steaks, and seafood, but are most popular for their selection of appetizers. Thomas & King also operates a half dozen Johnny Carino's Italian-themed restaurants franchised from Austin, Texas-based Fired Up. Co-founded in 1988 by CEO Mike Scanlon, the company operates restaurants in Arizona, Indiana, Kentucky, Ohio, and Pennsylvania.

The New York State Lottery is one of the largest and oldest state lotteries in the US (only New Hampshire's lottery is older). It runs three jackpot, five daily, and about a dozen scratch-off games through retailers and online outlets. About a third of the lottery's revenue, or some $2 billion a year, goes to support New York State education. It also awards Leaders of Tomorrow scholarships to one eligible graduating senior from every public and private school in the state (provided they attend New York universities). The New York Lottery was established by the new state constitution passed in 1966.

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