Tilman J. Fertitta
| Tilman J. Fertitta | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Born |
June 25, 1957 (age 59) Galveston, Texas, U.S. |
| Residence | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
| Nationality | American |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Net worth |
 US$2.8 billion (January 2017)
|
| Spouse(s) | Paige Fertitta |
| Children | 4 |
Tilman Joseph Fertitta (born June 25, 1957) is an American businessman and television personality. He is the chairman, CEO, and sole owner of Landry's, Inc., one of the nation’s largest restaurant corporations.
In 2013, his net worth was estimated at $2.4 billion, placing him at No. 235 on the Forbes 400 list of the wealthiest Americans; Forbes calls him the “World’s Richest Restaurateur”.
Fertitta is also chairman of the Board of Regents of the University of Houston System. Fertitta became the star of Billion Dollar Buyer on CNBC.
Fertitta was born and raised in Galveston, Texas, several generations after his family had emigrated to Texas from Sicily. His father, Vic. owned a seafood restaurant on Galveston Island, and after school, Tilman would peel shrimp in his father’s restaurant. Fertitta attended Texas Tech University and the University of Houston, studying business administration and hospitality management. His first entrepreneurial experience involved selling and promoting Shaklee vitamins.
In the 1980s, Fertitta founded and ran a construction and development business, and developed his first major project, the Key Largo Hotel in Galveston.
Fertitta was a partner in the first Landry's Restaurant, Landry’s Seafood, which opened its doors in the Houston suburb of Katy, Texas, in 1980. A year later, he helped open Willie G's Seafood & Steaks, a more upscale restaurant in Uptown Houston.
In 1986, Fertitta gained controlling interests of both locations, and in 1988, became sole owner of Landry's Restaurants. In 1993, he took Landry’s, Inc. public and the company grew quickly, adding concept after concept.
In 2010, Fertitta, who already owned the majority of Landry's, Inc. , purchased all outstanding shares, becoming sole owner again. In 1993, the company was valued at approximately $30 million.
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