Morton's The Steakhouse

Morton’s The Steakhouse is a chain of more than 70 steak restaurants with locations in the United States and in cities in the USA and abroad.^[1] It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Landry's, Inc..^[2][3] founded in Chicago in 1978.^[4]

History

Morton’s was founded in 1978 by Arnie Morton and Klaus Fritsch.^[5] Before they became friends and restaurant entrepreneurs, Morton and Fritsch worked together at the Playboy Club in Montreal. While the club was in the process of changing its menu, Fritsch prepared a hamburger for Morton to sample. Morton said the burger was the best he’d ever tasted. Together, they opened Morton’s of Chicago in Newberry Plaza in Downtown Chicago. The original location remains open.^[6][7][8]

In 1987, Morton's, then with $15 million in sales and nine restaurants throughout the United States, was sold for $12.4 million to the venture capital firm Quantum Restaurant Group, Inc. in partnership with the Baltimore brokerage house Alex. Brown & Sons. Fritsch stayed on as president.^[9]

In December 2011, Tilman Fertitta, President, CEO and sole owner of Landry’s, Inc., announced his company had acquired all shares of Morton’s stock, assuming complete ownership. In 2012, Landry’s completed the acquisition and moved company operations to its headquarters in Houston.^[10][11]

Special events

Some Morton’s locations host ESPN’s "Lunch with a Legend" series, where guests dine and interact with current and former athletes: in the past these have included Dwyane Wade, Bobby Hull, Derrick Rose, Dick Vermeil, Tony Stewart, Elgin Baylor and others.^[12][13][14] Morton’s also hosts "Celebrity Server" events to raise funds for local foundations and charities. Local celebrities act as waiters at these special events, which have included Larry Fitzgerald, Jim Furyk, Jack Nicklaus and Jonathan Vilma.^[15][16]

References