The Little Brown Reader

Arnold's Bad Business

Arnold's Bad Business
Is his campaign the new Planet Hollywood?

By Daniel Gross

The most celebrated business venture of Arnold Schwarzenegger's career was his involvement in Planet Hollywood. Planet Hollywood, you may have forgotten, was the gaudiest avatar of the '90s idiotic theme-restaurant trend, which also spawned the Rainforest Café, the Official All-Star Café, and, most absurdly, the Fashion Café. ("What's on the menu," David Letterman asked. "A stick of gum?") Founded in 1991 by producer Keith Barish (The Fugitive, Sophie's Choice, The Running Man) and restaurant impresario Robert Earl (Hard Rock Café), the profitable Planet Hollywood chain had 34 units when it went splashily public in 1996.

So far, the recall campaign has been very much like a meal at Planet Hollywood. There's plenty of ruckus and shouting and fake smiles. A lot of celebrities are hanging around—for no apparent reason. The fare is insipid. And when the experience is over and the bill comes, nausea may follow.

Read It Rating: 9
Left/Right Rating: 0
Freedom Rating: 0
Learning Percentage: 65%