Rainforest Cafe, Inc: Outline To Rainforest Cafe Research Report :: essays research papers fc

rainforest Cafe, Inc Outline to rain forest Cafe Research ReportCORPORATE primingHistoryFormationrainforest Cafe, Inc. was incorpo computed in Minnesota on February 3, 1994 to ownand operate restaurant and sell facilities under the name of "Rainforest Cafe- A Wild Place to Shop and Eat."Chairman of the batting order and Chief Executive OfficerElection. Lyle Berman was elected Chairman and CEO of Rainforest Cafe at itsinception in February 1994.Background. Berman has been Chairman and CEO of imposing Casinos, Inc. and itspredecessor since October 1990. He is also CEO and a director of StratosphereCorporation, and a director of G-III App bel Group Ltd., Innovative GamingCorporation of the States and New Horizon Kids Quest, Inc. He previously was thePresident and CEO of Berman fortissimo Stores, Inc. ("Bermans") from 1978 untilNovember 1988 when Bermans was acquired by Wilson Suede and Leather, asubsidiary of Melville Corporation.President and Chief operational O fficerElection. Martin J. ODowd was elected in may of 1995. He is the first to guidethis position. As of November 18, 1996 ODowd has taken a 30 day leave ofabsence seizure for personal reasons. Dennis Nielson, analyst for R. J. Steichen,predicts that if the leave is only 30 days in that location should not be a lasting impacton the telephoner (Nielson, November 18, 1996).Background. ODowd is a director of Elephant and Castle Group, Inc. He waspreviously the Corporate Director, intellectual nourishment & Beverage Services for Holiday InnWorldwide from July 1987 to May 1995. From August 1985 to July 1987, ODowd wasVice President and General Operations Manager for the enceinte Rock Cafe in New York.Management Philosophy. Berman and ODowd stated that they are committed toidentifying and acquiring the resources that will exclusivelyow them to continue theirhigh rate of growth.Main ActivitiesRainforest Cafe has two areas of each facility, the restaurant and the retailarea.Restau rantThe company believes that its large menu selection is an important chemical element in theappeal of its restaurants. The restaurant serves lunch and dinner entrees whichrange in price from $7.95 to $15.95. The ascendant of the company is mirrored onthe menu with all food and beverage selections including a jungle reference(Annual Report, 1995).The restaurant derived some 74 percent of the companies total revenueduring the 52 week uttermost ending December 31, 1995.Retail AreaIn order to ship the restaurant, all customers must pass through the retailarea. The inventory includes array and gifts with the Rainforest Cafe logo andother items with a rainforest theme such as toys and educational games.The retail area derived approximately 26 percent of the companies total revenue