Joe's Crab Shack is an American chain of beach-themed seafood casual dining restaurants owned by Ignite Restaurant Group. Founded in Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...

, the restaurant now operates locations all across the country. It serves seafood and American cuisine. The restaurants also have a gift shop that sells t-shirts featuring phrases broadcasting Joe's seafood choices. It is based in Houston, Texas

Houston, Texas

Houston is the fourth-largest city in the United States, and the largest city in the state of Texas. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the city had a population of 2.1 million people within an area of . Houston is the seat of Harris County and the economic center of , which is the ...

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History

Joe's Crab Shack opened its first location in Houston, Texas in 1991. Landry's Restaurants, Inc.

Landry's Restaurants, Inc.

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 purchased the original Joe's Crab Shack in Houston, Texas in early 1994 to convert it into a Landry's Restaurant. By 1995 the chain had grown to three locations in Houston and one in Dallas.

Today the brand includes a national chain of 120 restaurants in 28 states featuring a festive, but laid-back atmosphere. Many of the locations are on waterfront property with large patio seating areas, built to resemble an old beachfront property. Many locations include family friendly features such as a playground and an arcade in a few locations.

On November 17, 2006, Joe's was sold to J.H. Whitney & Company

J.H. Whitney & Company

J.H. Whitney & Company is a venture capital firm in the U.S., founded in 1946 by John Hay Whitney and his partner Benno Schmidt. Today the firm focuses primarily on leveraged buyouts, turnarounds, acquisitions, and recapitalizations of more mature companies particularly those it considers to be in...

, a privately held company, operating as JCS Holdings, LLC. The sales price was $192 million including the assumption of liabilities of $225 million. http://biz.yahoo.com/e/061121/lny8-k.html.

JCS Holdings changed their name to Ignite Restaurant Group in April 2009 and still operate the 113 existing Joe's Crab Shack and 3 Brickhouse Tavern and Tap restaurants. The company is currently headquartered on Westpark Drive near the Westchase District of Houston, Texas. http://www.chainleader.com/article/CA6676559.html?industryid=47553

In July 2011, Ignite Restaurant Group filed with the SEC to raise up to $100 million in an initial public offering.