The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, also known as The Kennedy Center, traces its roots to 1958 when president Dwight Eisenhower signed the National Cultural Center Act calling for a privately funded venture featuring a variety of classic and contemporary programming with an educational focus. The center was a pet project and fund raiser beneficiary of president Kennedy; it was named as a living memorial to him after his death. Located on 17 acres overlooking the Potomac River in Washington, D.C., the center opened in 1971 and presents some 2,000 events a year including musicals, dance performances, and jazz and orchestral concerts. It also produces TV programming, workshops, and lectures.

Prezzo operates a chain of more than 130 restaurants throughout the UK specializing in Italian cuisine. The eateries are known for their rustic pizza, but they also serve such alternatives as pasta, salads, and rotisserie chicken and offer beer, wine, and mixed drinks. In addition to its flagship chain, Prezzo operates a small number of restaurants under such names as Chimichanga, iMMO Cafe, Jonathan's, and The Ultimate Burger. The company is controlled by the Kaye family, who also started the ASK chain of pizza restaurants (now part of Gondola Group).

The Green Bay Packers battle for pride in the National Football League. The not-for-profit corporation owns and operates the storied franchise, which was founded in 1919 by Earl "Curly" Lambeau and joined the NFL in 1921. Home to such icons as Bart Starr, Ray Nitschke, and legendary coach Vince Lombardi, Green Bay boasts a record 12 championship titles, including three Super Bowl victories. The team is also the only community-owned franchise in American professional sports with more than 100,000 shareholders. The shares do not increase in value nor pay dividends, and can only be sold back to the team.

Dover Motorsports is a leading operator of racetracks that host more than a dozen top auto racing events each year. Its tracks include Gateway International Raceway near St. Louis, Memphis Motorsports Park, Nashville Superspeedway, and its flagship Dover International Speedway in Delaware. The tracks hold events sponsored by all the major US racing leagues, including NASCAR, the Indy Racing League, and the National Hot Rod Association, though stock car racing accounts for 70% of sales. Chairman Henry Tippie controls more than 50% of the company as executor of the estate of the late chairman John Rollins.

The Washington State Public Stadium Authority is the public partner and owner of the $430 million Qwest Field and Event Center (formerly Seahawks Stadium and Exhibition Center), home of the Seattle Seahawks. The authority owns the stadium, while Seahawks owner Paul Allen's First & Goal operates the facility. The stadium opened in 2002 on the site of the former Kingdome, in the Pioneer Square neighborhood near downtown Seattle. The two facilities (the event/exhibition center opened in 1999) are close to Puget Sound and just north of Safeco Field, home of the Seattle Mariners.

Compagnie des Alpes is one of Europe's leading leisure operators with more than 35 properties in more than half a dozen countries. Its portfolio includes 14 major skiing destinations in France, the Netherlands, and Switzerland, including Tignes, Les Arcs, and La Plagne. All its ski properties sit above 9,900 feet. Compagnie des Alpes also operates about 20 amusement and leisure parks through its Gr�vin & Cie subsidiary, including Parc Asterix and Musee Grevin. About 24 million people visit its sites each year; a majority of those visits are to the French properties. The company was formed in 1989.

Sheffield United plc manages the English football team Sheffield United, nicknamed the Blades (thanks to Sheffield's well-known reputation for steel production). Formed in 1889 in combination with the Sheffield United Cricket Club, Sheffield United Football Club last came close to reaching the Premiership in the 2002-03 season. On the final day of the season in 2007, the team was relegated from the Premier League to the English Football League Championship. The majority of the company's revenues are obtained from game day ticket sales, as well as television and sponsorship royalties.

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.

You might say this company is angling for hungry customers from the pool of seafood fans. Rockfish Seafood Grill operates about 15 rustic-themed seafood restaurants mostly in the Dallas and Houston areas. The small chain's menu offers a wide variety of seafood selections and features specialty appetizers and signature entrees. For meat-eating customers, the restaurants offer beef and chicken options. Randy DeWitt and his wife, Michele opened the first Rockfish location in 1998. CEO Henry Leonard and Dallas restaurant investor Ray Washburne control the company with backing from a group of private equity firms.

Bagels and coffee are key ingredients for this company. Einstein Noah Restaurant Group is the largest bagel shop operator in the US, with more than 690 company-owned and franchised locations in more than 35 states. Its flagship chain, Einstein Bros. Bagels, offers more than a dozen varieties of fresh-made bagels and spreads, along with coffee, pastries, and a menu of sandwiches and salads at its more than 530 outlets. In addition to Einstein Bros., New World operates the Noah's New York Bagels and Manhattan Bagel chains. About 430 of the bagel shops are company-owned, while the rest are operated by franchisees or licensees. Investment firm Greenlight Capital controls about 65% of Einstein Noah.

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