Earl was also a director of Pelican Group PLC, which owns the Café Rouge, Dôme, and Mamma Amalfi brands. After becoming the brand's CEO, Earl enlarged Hard Rock from 7 to 22 units in 5 years, resulting in the eventual sale of the brand to Rank Group. Joining the board, he was tasked to undertake the purchase of Hard Rock Cafe. The transaction yielded Earl $63 million. Įarl enlarged the business to include 70 restaurants by the time he merged his company President Entertainment with Pleasurama PLC, a London-based leisure group, in 1987. Amongst those themed restaurants in central Florida were Caruso's Palace (now Race Rock), King Henry's Feast and the original Shakespeare's Tavern on Church Street. He stayed to open several theme restaurants with medieval and Wild West concepts in the Orlando market. Seeing the US market as having more growth potential, he attempted to sell the concepts to developers working on Disney's EPCOT, but the deal fell through. With its success, Earl opened additional themed restaurants, The Cockney Club, Shakespeare's Tavern, and Talk of London, close by in the late 1970s.

President Entertainment Įarl began his career with his first Beefeater medieval theatre-themed restaurant in 1972.

Business career and investments Įarl was named one of 'The 25 Most Influential Americans' by Time in 2001. In 2012, he set up the Robert Earl Scholarship, awarded each year to 14 students across the School of Hospitality and Tourism Management, worth up to £2,500 each. Įarl graduated from the University of Surrey with an honours degree in Hotel and Catering Management. Earl grew up in Hendon and was educated at the local school, but also travelled around a great deal in the UK, Europe and the United States, following his father's career. Robert Earl was born Robert Ian Leigh, son of British entertainer Robert Earl. He is the founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood, chairman of the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, and host of Robert Earl's Be My Guest television program which airs weekly on the Cooking Channel. Robert Earl (born ) is an English-American film producer, investor, restaurateur, and television personality. Founder and chairman, Earl of Sandwich Restaurants.Chairman, Buca di Beppo Italian Restaurants.Chairman, Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino Las Vegas.Host, Robert Earl's Be My Guest television program.Owner, founder and CEO, Planet Hollywood.Film producer, investor, restaurateur, and television personality

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