Celebrities Who Have Opened Their Own Restaurants - Part One

There have been so many celebrities who've opened and closed their own restaurants. Some have found ultimate success launching their brand to a wider range of audiences. While other stars have found a successful career, they've learned that doesn't necessarily equal a successful career in the restaurant world.

Here are a few successes, and failures.

In the 90s Bruce Willis, Arnold Schwarznegger, and Sylvester Stallone took part in the t-shirt promotion of Planet Hollywood, going on to continue to endorse their franchise.

Claudia Schiffer, Elle McPherson, and Naomi Campbell opened up the fashion Cafe. All was well, until the owner embezzled $7 million dollars.

Britney Spears opened up her restaurant, Nyla, a mix of New York and Louisiana. But, it was not meant to be. Within five months it was gone after cases of food-poisoning and marketing disasters.

Robert De Niro hasn't had a problem with his restaurants, Nobu and Ago. Nobu New York, is called a pioneer for Japanese cuisine. It opened in 1994, partnering with famous actor, Robert De Niro, Drew Nieporent, and Richard Notar. Read more about it here: http://www.myriadrestaurantgroup.com/nobu/index.html

Ago is located in the Hard Rock Hotel. DeNiro is a partnered with executive chef Agostino Sciandri, the man for which the restaurant is named for. The restaurant is known for authentic Tuscan-style Italian food. Not to mention it is convienietely located in three locations - Los Angeles, New York, and Miami.

And then there is BB King's Blues Club with locations in Orlando, Memphis, Nashville, West Plan Beach, and Las Vegas. Understandably many people want to eat at BB's club. read more about it here: http://www.bbkingclubs.com/

Ground Zero Blues Club was opened by famous actor Morgan Freeman and friends/business men in May 2001. Ground Zero showcases Delta Blues musicians on Wednesday through Saturday. It was also named as one of the "Top 100 Bars and Nightclubs in America."

Some celebrities have found continual success with most anything they touch and create, while others have found seemingly dead ends in opening their brand to a wider audience.

This is part one in a series of articles about celebrity restaurants. Stay tuned for the next one!