Here are a few of the more interesting ones:
Church’s Chicken is a U.S. chain of fast food restaurants specializing in fried chicken. The chain was founded as Church’s Fried Chicken To Go by George W. Church, Sr. on April 17, 1952 in San Antonio, across the street from The Alamo. The company now has more than 1,600 locations worldwide. Their slogan is “I know what good is.” At the end of 2004 the company was sold to Arcapita (formerly Crescent Capital Investments). Because Arcapita is an Islamic venture capital firm, bacon was removed from the menu after the sale (pork not being halal). The company also owns Southland Log Homes, Inc. and PODS among many others. First Islamic Investment Bank, 80 percent ownership involving 12 properties comprising 940 residential units in the assisted living sector in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and Virginia.
The Chrysler building is a very distinctive art deco skyscraper in New York City, recognized by anyone who has seen an American film. For 11 months it was the world’s tallest building and it is still the world’s tallest brick building. In 2007, it was ranked ninth on the List of America’s Favorite Architecture by the American Institute of Architects. This amazing American Icon is now owned by the Abu Dhabi Investment Council which paid over 800 million dollars for the 75% share it owns. Abu Dhabi Investment Council manages the excess oil reserves of the emirates - valued at $1 trillion.
Investcorp was established in 1982. Since then it has completed transactions with a total acquisition value of approximately $38 billion. Assets too many to name here, but includes record chains, manufacturing and property. Here are a few properties listed: http://www.investcorp.com/Template3a.aspx?pageid=OB5.3
On a side note:
7-Eleven and Denny’s is owned by the Japanese, Holiday-Inn by the British, and Shell Oil by the Dutch.
