Houlihan's
| Company type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Casual dining restaurant |
| Founded | April 1, 1972 in Kansas City, Missouri, United States |
| Founder | Paul Robinson, Joe Gilbert |
| Headquarters | Houston , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Owner | Fertitta Entertainment |
| Website | www |
Houlihan's represents a casual dining and bar chain originating in the United States, with 34 establishments distributed across the country as of 2023, of which 60% operate under franchise agreements. The company’s headquarters are located in Houston, Texas. The inaugural Houlihan's restaurant commenced operations on April 1, 1972, situated at Kansas City's Country Club Plaza. Initially, the brand was known as Houlihan's Old Place, a name inspired by the previous occupant, Houlihans Clothing Store.
Owned privately by Fertitta Entertainment, Houlihan's is included within a collection of restaurant brands that also features Bristol Seafood Grill, Devon Seafood Grill, and J. Gilbert's Wood-Fired Steaks.
History
Established in 1972 by restaurateurs Paul Robinson and Joe Gilbert—who had prior experience with ventures such as Plaza III Steakhouse and Four Winds restaurant—Houlihan's was introduced as a novel casual dining concept. The name originated from Tom Houlihan’s former clothing store premises, with Gilbert-Robinson securing the naming rights as part of their strategic business plan. After achieving initial success, the company embarked on an aggressive expansion strategy nationwide: opening its second venue in New Orleans in 1973, followed by locations in Atlanta in 1974 and Des Peres, Missouri in 1975.
In November 2002, the original Kansas City site was shuttered after Highwoods Realty declined to renew the lease; operations were subsequently relocated to nearby Fairway, Kansas. At that juncture, Houlihan's managed 48 restaurants across 15 states.
From 2006 onward, majority ownership was held by private equity firm Goldner Hawn Johnson Morrison, which initiated a comprehensive "Houlihan's of the 21st Century" overhaul. This included refreshed architectural designs, interior renovations, updated menu offerings, and revised brand positioning. The company prioritized corporate expansion while restricting franchising opportunities to premier developers. By 2007, the chain had grown to 92 locations nationwide—31 corporate-owned and 61 franchised—though franchised outlets decreased to 48 by 2012.
On November 14, 2019, HRI Holding Corp., the parent company of Houlihan’s, filed for bankruptcy protection due to challenges including labor market changes, unfavorable lease agreements, and elevated costs associated with delivery services that adversely affected profitability. Landry’s Inc., headquartered in Houston and owner of brands such as Joe’s Crab Shack and Morton’s The Steakhouse, proposed a $40 million acquisition offer to prevent the chain’s liquidation.
External links
- Companies based in Kansas
- Restaurant franchises
- Restaurants established in 1972
- Restaurants in Missouri
- Regional restaurant chains in the United States
- American companies established in 1972
- 1972 establishments in Kansas
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2019
- Companies of the United States by year of establishment