LANDRY'S RESTAURANTS INC., ACQUIRES DENVER'S OCEAN JOURNEY: Restaurant Chain Has Highest Bid For Rocky Mountain Region's Only Aquarium

Houston, Texas - MARCH 4, 2003

HOUSTON - Through its winning bid of $13.6 million, Landry's Restaurants Inc., has been granted ownership rights to Colorado's Ocean Journey, a 17-acre aquarium complex located in Denver. In a public auction today Landry's outbid Fla.-based Ripley Entertainment in U. S. Bankruptcy Court proceedings.

"With Landry's recent development - and successful - opening of Houston's first Aquarium, we are enthusiastic and confident the Landry's organization can increase sales and revenue and make Ocean Journey one of Colorado's premier destinations," said Robert F. Hill, chairman of Ocean Journey.

The non-profit aquarium cost $93 million to build and opened in 1999. It attracted one million visitors during its first year of operations. The aquarium filed for Chapter 11 reorganization in April 2002 and had $62.5 million in debt at a high interest rate which caused its bankruptcy. Under the protection of U.S. Bankruptcy Court in Denver, the aquarium continued to operate and remain open. It recently began accepting bids to assume ownership of Ocean Journey.

More than 500 species are housed in the 1 million-gallon, three story world-class attraction. "We are so delighted with this tremendous opportunity to step in and rescue this incredible aquarium, as well as ownership of its 17 acres of land," said Tilman J. Fertitta, president, chairman and chief executive officer of Landry's Restaurants Inc.

"Ocean Journey is considered to be one of America's top-tier aquariums. Although the aquarium originally was created with an educational focus, Landry's will bring a successful formula for entertainment and family orientation. Landry's has long been in the entertainment business and Ocean Journey will add to our mix of exciting family destinations," added Fertitta. The recently opened $38 million Downtown Aquarium is a magnificent six-acre aquarium, entertainment and dining complex that is serving to revitalize downtown Houston. With sweeping views of downtown, it offers a public aquarium boasting 500,000 gallons of underwater tanks with 200 species of fish; Aquarium Restaurant; Marina Matinee Café; the 6,000-square-foot Nautilus Ballroom; The Dive Lounge; the spectacular Shark Voyage; the aquatic-themed Carousel and Ferris wheel and C. P. Huntington train; open-air plazas with dancing fountains, and amusements for the entire family.

Landry's Restaurants Inc., is one of the nation's largest and fastest growing casual-dining, full-service restaurant and entertainment chains. Publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange, Landry's owns and operates approximately 280 restaurants, including Landry's Seafood House, Joe's Crab Shack, The Crab House, Rainforest Café, Charley's Crab, Willie G's Seafood & Steak House, The Chart House and Saltgrass Steak House, as well as Kemah Boardwalk, a magnificent 40-acre, family-oriented themed entertainment destination. The company employs 30,000 workers in 36 states.

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