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Hello people, greetings from Costa Rica
My question is: are Jimmy Buffett's Margaritaville cafe's owed by Jimmy or are they franchises?
thanks to anyone that can let me know,
I sent an email to the key west store last week and they never bother to email me back

Saludos de Costa Rica
Minor Hernandez

That's a good question...I don't really know much about Jimmy's business ventures, but I'm sure someone here has the scoop.

Even if he doesn't *own* them in the legal sense, I'm sure he gets a cut of the revenues (especially given how aggressively his people pursue infringement issues with other establishments).

I saw a sign nailed to a tree in Cahuita, Costa Rica that said "Margaritaville" a few years ago. Someone planning on opening up one down there anytime soon?

Jahfin wrote:I saw a sign nailed to a tree in Cahuita, Costa Rica that said "Margaritaville" a few years ago. Someone planning on opening up one down there anytime soon?

Costa Rica... what a GREAT place!

kurt wrote:

Jahfin wrote:I saw a sign nailed to a tree in Cahuita, Costa Rica that said "Margaritaville" a few years ago. Someone planning on opening up one down there anytime soon?

Costa Rica... what a GREAT place!

I know I enjoyed my visit but it's not for everybody. My trip was more like an adventure than a vacation which is exactly what I was hoping for.

owned by buffett inc.

Minor,

Welcome to the board. I hope that I will be able to get to Costa Rica soon. I have been nearby to Belize. I know it is not really that close but it is as close as I have been. As for the answer to your question from what I understand from talking to the people at the Key West Store is that all the Margaritaville Stores are owned by Jimmy. The Cheeseburge in Paradise stores are not wholly owned by Jimmy( I think he owns like 25% or less) but he is paid a fee for the use of the name and has a say in how they are operated.

No Margaritaviles in Cahuita, or on the rest of CR, but someone ones the rights to the name down here, I know this because I tried to buy the rights for the name last week but someone beat me to it
Grettings from CR,

Minor Hernandez wrote:No Margaritaviles in Cahuita, or on the rest of CR, but someone ones the rights to the name down here, I know this because I tried to buy the rights for the name last week but someone beat me to it
Grettings from CR,

I was actually just joking myself but since Buffett has visited there I wondered if he was aware of it.

I heard a few years ago that he was selling the Key West location, but the person I heard it from was full of crap, so I doubt it was true.

gracias amigos,
I wonder with whom do I need to contact to open a JB bar rest. down here

thank you,

Minor

jollymon345, let me know when you come , and we will drink some margaritas

Minor

I doubt he would go the franchise route or give the name up up to a given area. The quality control would be a big issue, you go into a franchise m'ville and have a bad experience it reflects poorly on the chain.

Franchise's are usually for company's that want to expand, but don't have the capitol to do so (not all, but most), I don't think Bubba has that issue.

Jimmy Owns all the Margaritavilles.

case wrote:Jimmy Owns all the Margaritavilles.

I heard he sold out to Outback...

He is paid a fee by Outback to use the name Cheeseburger in Paradise for that new chain of restaurants. I am not sure how the whole arrangement is worked out but he still owns the name from what I understand.

The story I've heard is that he has a 50% stake in the first 5 or 10 CiP stores, then the rest are Outback's (with a licensing fee, I'm sure).

The Las Vegas Margaritaville is 50% owned by Jimmy Bufett restaurants inc.,a nd 50% owned by Park Place, the owner of The flamingo, Ceasars, etc.

I know this because of knowing the EVP for Park Place and I rented the restaurant for corporate functions twice in the last three months. During the original tour, I asked the VP of food & beverage for the Flamingo about the ownership arrangement.

Thank you Guys, for all the information you have given me,
but I still have no idea were to contact the people that own the corporations, I am after a Margaritaville bar rest to be opened in Costa Rica, and (Jimmy Bufett restaurants inc) or (buffett inc.) that have been posted have been a no link to me, the Buffet inc was a diffrent type of restaurant more like steakhouses, and the Jimmy Bufett restaurants inc, has no web sites to visit

thanks, again
If anybody can help

Gracias,

minor hernandes,
Costa Rica

No offense to Buffett fans or to the Margaritaville empire in general but it wouldn't hurt my feelings any if Costa Rica remained unspoiled and Margaritaville, Inc.-free.