# 26 leading hotel and hospitality groups in Kentucky

Tamtam tracks 26 hotel and hospitality groups headquartered in Kentucky. This list ranks all of them by number of employees on LinkedIn, led by Yum! Brands, Atria Senior Living and Churchill Downs Incorporated. Their median headcount is 430. Half of them were founded in 1997 or later. The most common headquarters are Louisville (13) and Lexington (6).

Kentucky's hospitality sector is largely defined by its restaurant industry, encompassing a mix of well-established chains and newer concepts. Companies like Yum! Brands, a global franchisor of KFC and Pizza Hut, and Texas Roadhouse, known for its hand-cut steaks, represent significant employers. The presence of A&W Restaurants, established in 1919, highlights the state's long history in the food service sector.

Beyond restaurants, the industry includes hospitality management and entertainment. Churchill Downs Incorporated is a major entertainment provider with horse racing and casino gaming. Schulte Hospitality Group manages over 200 properties globally, while 21c Museum Hotels integrates contemporary art with hotel and restaurant services. A notable pattern is the concentration of headquarters in Louisville and Lexington, indicating these cities as key hubs for the state's hospitality and restaurant businesses.

🇺🇸 Kentucky · 26 companies · Updated Nov 11, 2026

| # | Company | Industry | Headquarters | Employees | Founded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | [Yum! Brands](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/yum-brands) (yum.com)<br>Franchises and operates over 62,000 restaurants globally, including KFC, Taco Bell, Pizza Hut, and Habit Burger & Grill, specializing in chicken, Mexican, pizza, and burgers. | Restaurants | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 34,000 | 1997 |
| 2 | [Atria Senior Living](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/atria-senior-living) (atriaseniorliving.com)<br>This company provides services and communities for older adults, offering opportunities and support to help them make a positive difference in the world | Real Estate | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 5,278 |  |
| 3 | [Churchill Downs Incorporated](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/churchill-downs-incorporated) (churchilldownsincorporated.com)<br>A company with nearly 150 years of experience creating entertainment experiences through iconic events, horse racing wagering, and regional casino gaming properties | Entertainment Providers | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 4,056 |  |
| 4 | [Texas Roadhouse](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/texas-roadhouse) (careers.becomearoadie.com)<br>A family restaurant offering legendary hand-cut steaks, fall-off-the-bone ribs, and made-from-scratch sides, focused on providing great food and fun for all ages at a great price | Restaurants | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 3,543 | 1993 |
| 5 | [A&W Restaurants, Inc.](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/a-and-w-restaurants-inc) (awrestaurants.com)<br>Established in 1919, this company is America's oldest franchised restaurant chain, offering All American Food and freshly made Root Beer in frosty mugs Operating in more than 900 locations in the US and Asia | Restaurants | 🇺🇸 Lexington | 3,382 | 1919 |
| 6 | [Long John Silver's, LLC](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/long-john-silver-s-llc) (ljsilvers.com)<br>Popular quick-service seafood chain with a history of serving batter-dipped whitefish, chicken, and shrimp, along with famous hushpuppies and non-fried menu options | Restaurants | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 2,859 | 1969 |
| 7 | [Fazoli's](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/fazoli-s) (fazolis.com)<br>Elevated Quick Service Restaurant chain offering traditional Italian favorites, including garlic breadsticks, in a modern service setting with drive-thru options | Restaurants | 🇺🇸 Lexington | 2,510 | 1988 |
| 8 | [Bubba's 33](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bubba-s-33) (bubbas33.com)<br>A family-friendly restaurant chain focused on quality food, lively atmosphere, and employee well-being, with a commitment to community and equality | Restaurants | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 1,814 | 2013 |
| 9 | [Rallys Restaurant](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/rallys-restaurant) (rallys.com)<br>A fast food chain specializing in burgers, fries, wings, fish, hot dogs, and other classic American foods Locations nationwide | Banking | 🇺🇸 Maysville | 1,129 |  |
| 10 | [Schulte Hospitality Group](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/schulte-hospitality-group) (schultehotels.com)<br>A leading third-party hospitality management company operating over 200 locations globally with a diverse portfolio of branded and unique properties | Hospitality | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 917 | 1999 |
| 11 | [Drake's](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/drake-s) (drakescomeplay.com)<br>A lively restaurant and bar offering over 20 craft beers, big burgers, freshest sushi Perfect for lunch, dinner, and late-night fun | Restaurants | 🇺🇸 Lexington | 615 | 2009 |
| 12 | [21c Museum Hotels](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/21c-museum-hotels) (21cmuseumhotels.com)<br>This company founded by art collectors aims to broaden the audience for contemporary art through multi-venue museums, hotels, and restaurants in various cities | Hospitality | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 512 |  |
| 13 | [PARLOUR Pizza + Pints](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/parlour-pizza-pints) (eatparlour.com)<br>This company offers franchising opportunities for a craft pizza destination with live music, craft cocktails, beer, artisan-style pizzas, grinders, salads, and smoked wings | Hospitality | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 430 | 2020 |
| 14 | [Five Star Food Service (formerly Canteen Service Company)](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/five-star-food-service-formerly-canteen-service-company) (fivestarfoodservice.com)<br>A food service company acquired another company and now operates under a new brand, serving 106 counties in Kentucky, Indiana, and Ohio | Food and Beverage Services | 🇺🇸 Owensboro | 388 |  |
| 15 | [Breakout Games](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/breakout-games) (breakoutgames.com)<br>Breakout Games offers immersive escape rooms for team building, schools, and more, promoting problem-solving and real connections through engaging experiences | Entertainment Providers | 🇺🇸 Lexington | 370 | 2014 |
| 16 | [Columbia Sussex Corporation](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/columbia-sussex-corporation) (columbiasussex.com)<br>A company specializing in website development and content management using WordPress software, offering customization and design services for various industries | Hospitality | 🇺🇸 Crestview Hills | 357 | 1972 |
| 17 | [Keeneland Association](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/keeneland-association) (keeneland.com)<br>An internationally renowned racecourse and leading Thoroughbred auction house investing in the industry and preserving the tradition of Thoroughbred racing since 1936 | Spectator Sports | 🇺🇸 Lexington | 353 | 1936 |
| 18 | [Bluegrass Hospitality Group](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/bluegrass-hospitality-group) (bluegrasshospitality.com)<br>Bluegrass Hospitality Group operates six restaurant concepts in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana, North Carolina, and Alabama, prioritizing guest satisfaction | Food and Beverage Services | 🇺🇸 Lexington | 337 | 1998 |
| 19 | [Galt House Hotel](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/galt-house-hotel) (galthouse.com)<br>This company offers 130,000 sq ft of event space in Louisville with 53 meeting rooms, two ballrooms, and exhibit hall, blending hospitality and technology for high-impact events | Hospitality | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 314 | 1972 |
| 20 | [Wendy's of Bowling Green, Inc.](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/wendy-s-of-bowling-green-inc) (wenbg.com)<br>A leading franchisee in the Wendy's family, owning and managing multiple locations in four states, and recognized as a leader in the Hospitality Industry | Hospitality | 🇺🇸 Bowling Green | 307 |  |
| 21 | [Commonwealth Hotels](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/commonwealth-hotels) (commonwealthhotels.com)<br>A world-class hospitality organization managing 54 properties across top hotel brands, focused on guest and associate satisfaction, market premiums, and superior ROI | Hospitality | 🇺🇸 Covington | 251 | 1986 |
| 22 | [HHG](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/hhg) (hrshotelsgroup.com)<br>A prestigious hospitality group in Louisville with a focus on strategic asset locations, investing in high-yielding properties, employee training, and exceeding customer expectations | Hospitality | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 204 | 1998 |
| 23 | [Newport Aquarium](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/newport-aquarium) (newportaquarium.com)<br>An aquarium showcasing thousands of animals in a million gallons of water with unique attractions like Shark Bridge, Shark Ray Breeding Program, and diverse penguin exhibits | Entertainment Providers | 🇺🇸 Newport | 187 | 1999 |
| 24 | [Ellis Park Racing & Gaming](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/ellis-park-racing-and-gaming) (ellisparkowensborogaming.com)<br>Ellis Park in Henderson, Kentucky offers horse racing on a dirt track and turf course, with dining options available from Dade Park Grill | Entertainment Providers | 🇺🇸 Henderson | 90 |  |
| 25 | [Xscape Theatres](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/xscape-theatres) (xscapetheatres.com)<br>Xscape specializes in providing top-tier comfort, sight, and sound technology in auditoriums, ensuring films are presented as intended with immersive experiences | Entertainment Providers | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 86 |  |
| 26 | [Red Hot Roasters](https://www.tamtam.ai/c/red-hot-roasters) (redhotroasters.com)<br>A company that roasts coffee beans with care and passion, ensuring a high-quality and flavorful experience for coffee lovers | Restaurants | 🇺🇸 Louisville | 5 |  |

## How this list is built

Every company on this list has a Tamtam company profile. The industry is the one the company gives on LinkedIn; categories such as SaaS or fintech are classified by Tamtam's AI from the company's website and LinkedIn page; and the headquarters city must match the company's own address. Companies are ranked by the number of employees on LinkedIn, and the list is refreshed every night. Classifications can be wrong, so treat the list as a starting point rather than an official ranking. Last updated Nov 11, 2026.

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## The same list elsewhere in United States

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- [Hotel and hospitality groups in Ohio](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitality-groups-ohio) (76)
- [Hotel and hospitality groups in Arizona](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitality-groups-arizona) (73)
- [Hotel and hospitality groups in Nevada](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitality-groups-nevada) (71)
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- [Hotel and hospitality groups in Las Vegas](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitality-groups-las-vegas) (56)
- [Hotel and hospitality groups in Dallas](https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitality-groups-dallas) (53)

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Source: https://www.tamtam.ai/l/hospitality-groups-kentucky