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who owns hard rock

Hard Rock (the global brand behind Hard Rock Cafe, hotels, and casinos) is owned by the Seminole Tribe of Florida through its company Hard Rock International.

Who owns Hard Rock?

  • The Seminole Tribe of Florida bought Hard Rock’s worldwide business (cafes, hotels, casinos, and brand rights) from the British company Rank Group in 2007 for about 965 million dollars.
  • Today, Hard Rock International is the Seminole Tribe’s global hospitality and entertainment arm, running hundreds of venues in more than 70 countries.

A quick bit of history

  • Hard Rock Cafe started in London in 1971, founded by two American entrepreneurs, and later grew into a global chain under different corporate owners.
  • After years under Rank Group, the Seminole Tribe acquired the brand and assets, turning Hard Rock into a key part of its modern business empire, especially in gaming and tourism.

Any exceptions or special cases?

  • While the brand and most venues are controlled by the Seminole Tribe via Hard Rock International, some properties can be operated under licensing, management or joint‑venture deals (for example, certain hotels or resorts).
  • That means a local Hard Rock‑branded hotel or cafe near you might be run by a partner, but it still uses the Hard Rock name under the Seminole-owned global brand.

TL;DR: If you’re wondering “who owns Hard Rock” today, the answer is the Seminole Tribe of Florida, which controls the Hard Rock brand worldwide through Hard Rock International.

Information gathered from public data and media available on the internet and portrayed here.