P.F. Chang's China Bistro

P. F. Chang’s China Bistro, Inc. is an American restaurant chain that specializes in Chinese food. The buildings themselves are designed using a modern style and displaying narrative murals that are based on ancient Chinese designs. http://www.answers.com/topic/p-f-chang-s-china-bistro

P. F. Chang’s China Bistro was the brainchild of Paul Fleming who had developed a fondness for Chinese food and decided to create a chain of Chinese restaurants that used American style service and modern styling. Once he completed the conceptualization and planning phase he had to spend two years convincing Phillip Chiang who was chef and owner of a popular Beverly Hills restaurant The Mandarin to become his chief collaborator. Although Paul had experience in the restaurant business, having run restaurants of the Ruth Chris steakhouse franchise for some years, and a love of Asian food he had no experience in the Chinese food market. Chiang was brought in primarily to create the restaurants base recipes of about 60 dishes and then his name less one letter combined with Fleming’s initials became the name of the restaurant. http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/P-F-Changs-China-Bistro-Inc-Company-History.html

Fleming knew that as the chain expanded he would not have the time to manage the company effectively. Early in 1996 P. F. Chang’s Chinese Bistro Inc. was formed and then acquired the four original units that were currently making of the chain of restaurants. The management team was made up of President Richard L. Federico, CFO Bert Vivian, and in 1998 acquired COO Greg Carey. With the new team the company began accelerating its growth using venture capital from out of state backers. At this point the company had dome fits and starts and slumps but still managed to pay done its $11.6 million debt to $2.6 million and still finance its growth. In 1998 the company went public and made its Initial Public Offering in December. http://www.fundinguniverse.com/company-histories/P-F-Changs-China-Bistro-Inc-Company-History.html

The restaurant has become popular for its particular style of Chinese food and the personal service of the staff and has managed to expand to 348 restaurants as of 2008. http://www.wikinvest.com/stock/P.F.Chang's_China_Bistro_(PFCB)

• Kona Grill

• Benihana

• Pickup Stix

• Panda Express