Houston billionaire’s restaurant co. wins bid for Houlihan’s assets; final price may fall

Local billionaire Tilman Fertitta has received bankruptcy court approval to add another group of restaurant chains to his growing empire.

Houston-based Landry’s Inc. — owned by Chairman, President and CEO Fertitta — was the sole bidder for the assets of HRI Holding Corp., the parent company of Leawood-based Houlihan’s Restaurants Inc.

The company owns and operates 47 restaurants in 14 states, and its brands include: Houlihan’s Restaurant + Bar, Bristol Seafood Grill, J. Gilbert’s Wood-Fired…