Robert Earl
Robert Earl is an English-American film producer, investor, restaurateur, and television personality. 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.
Early life
Robert Earl was born Robert Ian Leigh, son of British entertainer Robert Earl. 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.Earl graduated from the University of Surrey with an honours degree in Hotel and Catering Management. 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.
Business career and investments
Earl was named one of "The 25 Most Influential Americans" by Time in 2001.President Entertainment
Earl began his career with his first Beefeater medieval theatre-themed restaurant in 1972. With its success, Earl opened additional themed restaurants, The Cockney Club, Shakespeare's Tavern, and Talk of London, in the late 1970s. Seeing the US market as having more growth potential, he attempted to sell the concepts to developers working on Disney Company|Disney]'s EPCOT, but the deal fell through. He stayed to open several theme restaurants with medieval and Wild West concepts in the Orlando market. Amongst those themed restaurants in central Florida were Caruso's Palace, King Henry's Feast, and the original Shakespeare's Tavern on Church Street.Earl 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. The transaction yielded Earl $63 million.
Pleasurama PLC and Hard Rock Cafe
Joining the board, he was tasked with undertaking the purchase of Hard Rock Cafe. After becoming the brand's CEO, Earl enlarged it from 7 to 22 units in 5 years, resulting in the eventual sale of the brand to Rank Group. Earl was also a director of Pelican Group PLC, which owns the Café Rouge, Dôme, and Mamma Amalfi brands, leaving the company after its sale to Whitbread PLC.Planet Hollywood
''Planet Hollywood Restaurants''
In 1991, Earl founded Planet Hollywood, negotiating celebrity investments from Arnold Schwarzenegger and Bruce Willis, and partnerships including Demi Moore, and Sylvester Stallone. The company has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy twice, but Earl still owns a large amount of stock with original investors Schwarzenegger and Willis, alongside new Asian investors.Planet Hollywood Hotels
In June 2003, in partnership with Bay Harbour Management LC and Starwood, Earl purchased the Aladdin Resort and Casino on the Las Vegas Strip. In 2007 it was relaunched as the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino. In 2010, Earl sold the property to Caesars Entertainment, but retained the brand's license.Earl of Sandwich
In 2004, Robert Earl, Lord John Montagu, and Orlando Montagu founded Earl of Sandwich, a series of sandwich shops, and opened the first location at Downtown Disney. Earl of Sandwich has since become a franchise, with 36 locations, with Earl serving as the chairman.Everton Football Club
In October 2006, Earl became a 23% owner and director of English Premier League club Everton, buying the shareholding of Paul and Anita Gregg via his BCR Sports investment vehicle registered in the British Virgin Islands.In March 2016, Earl sold his stake in Everton Football Club to Farhad Moshiri at a reported £175 million valuation.