Rainforest Cafe, Inc: Outline to Rainforest Cafe Research Report
CORPORATE BACKGROUND
History
Formation
Rainforest Cafe, Inc. was incorporated in Minnesota on February 3, 1994 to own
and operate restaurant and retail facilities under the name of "Rainforest Cafe
- A Wild Place to Shop and Eat."
Chairman of the Board and Chief Executive Officer
Election. Lyle Berman was elected Chairman and CEO of Rainforest Cafe at its
inception in February 1994.
Background. Berman has been Chairman and CEO of Grand Casinos, Inc. and its
predecessor since October 1990. He is also CEO and a director of Stratosphere
Corporation, and a director of G-III Apparel Group Ltd., Innovative Gaming
Corporation of America and New Horizon Kids Quest, Inc. He previously was the
President and CEO of Berman Specialty Stores, Inc. ("Bermans") from 1978 until
November 1988 when Bermans was acquired by Wilson Suede and Leather, a
subsidiary of Melville Corporation.
President and Chief Operating Officer
Election. Martin J. O'Dowd was elected in May of 1995. He is the first to hold
this position. As of November 18, 1996 O'Dowd has taken a 30 day leave of
absence for personal reasons. Dennis Nielson, analyst for R. J. Steichen,
predicts that if the leave is only 30 days there should not be a lasting impact
on the company (Nielson, November 18, 1996).
Background. O'Dowd is a director of Elephant and Castle Group, Inc. He was
previously the Corporate Director, Food & Beverage Services for Holiday Inn
Worldwide from July 1987 to May 1995. From August 1985 to July 1987, O'Dowd was
Vice President and General Operations Manager f ...