Robert Ian Earl
A leading figure in the hospitality and food & beverage industries, Robert Earl is the founder and CEO of Planet Hollywood International, Inc and the chairman of the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas, Nevada.
A lifetime entrepreneur, Earl founded President Entertainment in 1977, a company specializing in theme restaurants that grew from a modest start-up to a company valued at more than $100 million when he agreed to sell the company to Pleasurama in 1998. Earl was invited by Pleasurama to join its executive team and orchestrated the acquisition of Hard Rock Café. During his five-year tenure as the CEO of Hard Rock Café, Earl oversaw the expansion of the brand from its initial seven units to 22 units, and dramatically increased the Company’s profitability. This growth was a direct result of aggressive marketing and non-stop positive press capitalizing on Earl’s vision to use the allure of Celebrity and creative events to earn Hard Rock Café a mystique that separated it from its competition.
During this same time period Earl was also a Director of Pelican Group PLC, and oversaw tremendous growth of brands such as Café Rouge, Dôme, and Mamma Amalfi all while increasing the profitability of each of the concepts, until its ultimate profitable sale to Whitbread PLC.
In 1991, Earl founded the Planet Hollywood brand and brought theme dining to a new level. As CEO of Planet Hollywood International, Inc., Earl negotiated celebrity partnerships and orchestrated Hollywood-style premiere grand openings. With his expertise in creating a fully integrated and unique dining experience Earl created a brand that achieved global acclaim in just a few short years.
Earl became joint venture partners in 2003 with London Clubs with his purchase of London’s famed 50 St. James, one of London’s most prestigious gaming addresses. Operating under the name Fifty, the casino with its fine dining restaurants and hot night club scene, has set a new standard for gaming establishments in the UK. Additionally in 2003, Earl announced a partnership with Lord Sandwich, the 11th Earl of Sandwich, to launch Earl of Sandwich shops in the United States. The first gourmet sandwich shop opened in March, 2004, at Florida’s Walt Disney World Resort in the Downtown Disney Marketplace.
In June, 2003, Earl, along with joint venture partners, Bay Harbour Management LC and Starwood Hotels and Resorts Worldwide, purchased the Aladdin Resort and Casino located in the heart of the famed Las Vegas Strip. After a complete head-to-toe renovation, the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino was launched in 2007. The 2,600 room property features highly coveted restaurants, nightclubs, lounges, full service spa and gym and a high-tech gaming floor. The entire resort is encircled by the Miracle Mile Shops with more than 170 retail outlets. In early 2010 Earl and his partners sold the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino to Harrah’s Entertainment. HET now owns and operates the property while Earl retained the license for the brand and remains chairman of the resort.
In October 2006, Earl became a partner of a British Premiere League soccer club. As a shareholder in the Everton Football Club, Earl is turning his love of sport into a business venture.
In late 2008, to further solidify his place as a leader and pioneer of themed restaurants, Earl acquired casual dining company, Buca Inc. and its chain of eighty-eight Buca di Beppo restaurants throughout the United States. Since the acquisition, Earl has injected his formidable energy into the franchise, revamping the menu to include fresh, daily made sauces as well as new menu items to broaden the restaurants’ appeal which embodies the Italian traditions of food, friendship and fun. The Buca di Beppo chain, known for its quirky décor and upbeat atmosphere, has locations from Albany to Honolulu.
Mr. Earl and his wife Tricia live in Orlando, FL., and have three children, Beth, Cara and Robbie.