CEO Thomas Torgerson is the principal owner of Torgerson Properties, Inc. which was founded as a men's clothing store in 1929 by R. E. Torgerson. Torgerson Properties company operates more than two dozen hotels in Florida and Minnesota under such banners as Comfort Inn, Days Inn, Holiday Inn, and Super 8. Many of its properties are concentrated around the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. Torgerson Properties also runs about 10 full-service restaurants under the Green Mill, Harvest Buffet, Otto's Feierhaus & Bierstube, Perkins Family Restaurant, and Torge's Live Sports Pub & Grill brand names.

Wheeling Island Hotel-Casino-Racetrack has been a positive force in Wheeling, West Virginia, for more than a century. From its early racing days that predate the Civil War to its current state as one of the largest tourist attractions in West Virginia, Wheeling Island is rich in American history. Originally created as a site for thoroughbred and harness racing in 1866, Wheeling Island has grown, thanks to the introduction of a full-service hotel and banquet center, restaurants, video lottery terminals, table games and other amenities. All of these features make it a premier destination in the region.In total, Wheeling Island is fully equipped with a 151-room hotel, 2,000 slot machines, including Wheel of Fortune, a 1000-seat showroom, meeting and banquet services, casual and fine dining restaurants, a food court, gift shop and 2,800 parking spaces, including 220 covered spaces among its variety of amenities.

The Texas Lottery Commission hopes to have the eyes of Texans watching the lotto jackpot. The Texas Lottery Commission oversees one of the country's largest state lotteries, which has pumped more than $15 billion into state coffers since its inaugural in 1991. More than 60% of lottery sales are paid out in prize money, while almost 30% goes to the state's Foundation School Fund; the remainder goes to retailer commissions and administrative costs. The lottery offers numbers games and several instant-win games sold through grocery stores, gas stations, and convenience stores. In addition, Texas participates in Mega Millions, a multistate lottery game.

Without this organization, New Yorkers might go hungry. National Restaurants Management, which does business as The Riese Organization, is among the largest multiple-franchise restaurant operators in New York City. Its portfolio of about 80 eateries includes quick-service outlets (Tim Hortons, KFC, and Pizza Hut) and chain restaurants (T.G.I. Friday's and Houlihan's); Riese also operates upscale Manhattan night spots such as Charley O's and Times Square Grill. In addition to restaurants, the Riese Organization manages several real-estate holdings through a separate division. The company, founded by brothers Murray and Irving Riese in 1940, is controlled by CEO Dennis Riese (Murray's son).

Originally opened in 1965, La Costa Resort is owned by KSL Resorts. La Costa Resort and Spa sits on 400 lush acres in the never-changing perfect weather capital of the US, San Diego. The resort's spa offers a suite for couples treatments, a private sunbathing courtyard, and a variety of indulgences. Recreation includes two 18-hole courses, seventeen clay and hard tennis courts, and several swimming pools. La Costa has single rooms and one- and two-bedroom suites. Author Deepak Chopra's Chopra Center for Well Being also makes it home on the grounds.

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.

These birds are partial to Louisville timber. The Baltimore Orioles baseball team is a storied franchise of Major League Baseball, boasting seven American League pennants and three World Series titles (its last in 1983). Organized as the Milwaukee Brewers in 1901, the team became the St. Louis Browns the next year and moved to Baltimore in 1954. The team's roster has boasted such Hall of Fame talent as Jim Palmer, Cal Ripken, Jr., and Brooks Robinson. The Orioles organization also has a controlling interest in Mid-Atlantic Sports Network, a regional cable sports channel. Peter Angelos has controlled the team since 1993.The Baltimore Orioles L.P. is the operating company for the professional baseball team of the same name. As a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League, the Orioles play at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, situated in the heart of Baltimore. The opening of Oriole Park in 1992 ushered in a new era of baseball-only stadiums that paid architectural homage to the ballparks of an earlier era. While the popularity of its home field led to high attendance, success has not transferred onto the diamond in recent years. A team that was a consistent contender for decades has fallen into an extended period of mediocrity. The club is owned by a group of investors headed by attorney Peter Angelos, a gadfly among baseball's generally conservative group of owners. Minority owners of the Orioles include such celebrities as novelist Tom Clancy, political commentator and columnist George Will, filmmaker Barry Levinson, former tennis player Pam Shriver, and legendary sportscaster Jim McKay.

The Dow Hotel Company owns or manages more than 10 mid-priced and upscale hotels in the US, under banners such as Marriott, Hilton, InterContinental, Radisson, and Starwood. DHC focuses on hotels that specialize in corporate meetings and conventions and have large food and beverage operations. Once purchased, using investor and DHC funds, a hotel is brought under the DHC standardized administration, marketing, and accounting systems. The company also offers its management services to third party hotels. Murray Dow, II (company president) founded DHC with business partner Mark Rosinsky (SVP) in 1997.

Amy's outlandish ice-cream scoopers (staff members sport unusual piercings or funky hats and are encouraged to put on a show) dish out ice cream from a rotating list of some 300 flavors, including Guinness and Shiner Bock (that's right, beer). Smoothies, malts, shakes, and other treats are all made from the rich butterfat ice cream. Amy's Ice Creams, Inc. operates more than a dozen stores in Austin, Houston, and San Antonio. Amy's also caters and has wholesale operations. Its ice cream is available at dozens of Austin and Houston eateries. Owner and CEO Amy Simmons founded Amy's Ice Creams in 1984.

Looking for red meat in the Carolinas? Claremont Restaurant Group (CSG) has just the place. The company operates about 25 casual dining restaurants under the Sagebrush Steakhouse banner in four states, mostly in North Carolina. The restaurants serve steak, seafood, and chicken entrees along with the usual assortment of starters and side dishes. Other CSG brands include Prime Sirloin Family Steakhouse, a buffet concept with locations in North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia; and Western Steer Family Steakhouse. Industry veteran and CEO Jim Peterson owns the company. CSG entered Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in 2010.

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