You probably remember the 90s. Arnold Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, and Bruce Willis standing on a stage, waving to thousands of screaming fans. It felt like Planet Hollywood was going to own the world. For a minute, it kinda did. But if you’re looking at that giant neon sign on the Las Vegas Strip today and wondering who actually signs the paychecks, the answer is a lot more "corporate boardroom" and a little less "action hero."
Ownership isn't a single name anymore. It's split.
The brand itself—the restaurants, the memorabilia, the name—is still very much tied to the man who started it all: Robert Earl. However, the massive Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino in Las Vegas? That’s a completely different story.
The Vegas Split: Who Owns the Casino?
Let’s clear up the biggest misconception right away. Robert Earl doesn't own the Planet Hollywood hotel in Las Vegas. Not anymore.
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Since 2010, the Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino has been owned and operated by Caesars Entertainment.
It was a messy transition. Back in the mid-2000s, Robert Earl teamed up with Starwood Hotels and some private equity folks to buy the old Aladdin. They spent a fortune rebranding it. They wanted it to be the ultimate celebrity hangout. But then the 2008 recession hit Las Vegas like a freight train. The property was drowning in debt—we’re talking nearly $900 million.
By 2010, Caesars (then known as Harrah’s) stepped in. They scooped up the debt, took control of the property, and essentially saved it from total collapse.
So, when you stay there today, you're a Caesars guest. You use your Caesars Rewards card. You’re part of a massive corporate ecosystem that includes Caesars Palace, Paris Las Vegas, and the Flamingo. Robert Earl’s company, Earl Enterprises, just licenses the name and the "vibe" to them.
Who Owns the Planet Hollywood Brand and Restaurants?
While the Vegas casino is a corporate giant’s asset, the Planet Hollywood International brand belongs to Robert Earl.
Earl is a legend in the "eatertainment" world. He’s the same guy who helped turn Hard Rock Cafe into a global powerhouse before jumping ship to start Planet Hollywood in 1991. Today, he runs the brand through his umbrella company, Earl Enterprises.
If you’ve eaten at a Buca di Beppo, Earl of Sandwich, or Bertucci’s lately, you’ve been in a Robert Earl establishment. He is the king of the themed dining comeback.
Honestly, the restaurant side of Planet Hollywood has seen better days. At its peak, there were over 100 locations. Today? There are only a handful left, mostly in high-traffic tourist spots like Disney Springs in Orlando and a newer spot in New York City.
What about the celebrities?
This is where people get confused. Everyone thinks Arnold, Sly, and Bruce "owned" the company.
Technically, they were "original stockholders." They didn't put up most of the cash; they put up their faces. They were the marketing engine. They got equity in exchange for showing up to grand openings and donating the leather jackets they wore in movies.
Most of those original stars moved on years ago, especially after the company filed for bankruptcy (twice) in 1999 and 2001. While some might still hold tiny legacy stakes or "consulting" roles, they aren't involved in the day-to-day business.
The Global Resort Expansion
Here’s where it gets interesting. Even though Caesars owns the Las Vegas property, the Planet Hollywood name is expanding globally into all-inclusive resorts.
If you go to Cancun or Costa Rica and stay at a Planet Hollywood Beach Resort, you aren't at a Caesars property.
These are usually partnerships. Blue Diamond Resorts (a division of Sunwing Travel Group) often manages and owns these international locations through a licensing deal with Robert Earl’s company. It’s a franchise model. Robert Earl provides the movie props and the brand standards, and the hotel experts run the rooms.
Why the Ownership Structure Matters
Understanding who owns Planet Hollywood helps explain why the brand feels so different depending on where you are.
- In Las Vegas: It's a high-energy gambling hub. It feels like a Caesars property because it is. The focus is on the casino floor and the sports book.
- In Orlando (Disney Springs): It's a massive, 4-story "observatory" themed restaurant. This is Robert Earl’s flagship. It’s pure 90s nostalgia mixed with modern food.
- In Cancun: It’s a luxury "all-star" vacation. It’s managed by resort specialists who know how to handle thousands of tourists on the beach.
The Financial Rollercoaster
It is wild to think about how close this brand came to disappearing. Planet Hollywood went public in 1996, and the stock price soared. People thought it was the next Disney. Then, the novelty wore off. People realized the food wasn't great and the movie props were dusty.
The stock crashed. The company went through two bankruptcies in three years. Most people thought it was dead.
Robert Earl’s ability to keep the brand alive through licensing deals is actually a masterclass in business survival. He realized that owning the real estate (like the Vegas hotel) was too risky, but owning the name was pure profit if he could find the right partners.
What’s Next for Planet Hollywood?
In 2026, the brand is leaning heavily into "lifestyle" and digital experiences. They’ve launched things like MetaHollywood to turn their massive collection of movie memorabilia into NFTs. They are also focusing on "virtual kitchens" where you can order Planet Hollywood-branded food via delivery apps even if there isn't a restaurant in your city.
If you’re a fan or an investor, keep your eyes on Earl Enterprises. They are the quiet giant behind the scenes. While the flashy movie star days of the 90s are gone, the business is more stable now than it ever was when Bruce Willis was singing on the bar.
Quick Actions to Take
If you're planning to interact with the brand, keep these details in mind:
- For Vegas Travelers: Book through the Caesars Rewards portal to get the best rates and points, as the hotel is fully integrated into their system.
- For Dining: The Disney Springs location in Orlando remains the most "authentic" experience of what the brand was meant to be.
- For History Buffs: Look for the memorabilia auctions. Robert Earl still owns one of the largest private collections of film history in the world, and they occasionally rotate pieces through the remaining restaurants and resorts.
The "Planet" isn't as big as it used to be, but it’s still spinning. It just has a few more landlords than it did in 1991.
Next Steps for You: Check your Caesars Rewards account status before booking the Las Vegas property, as ownership by Caesars means you can often "comp" your room stay using points earned at other properties like Harrah's or Horseshoe. If you are visiting the international resorts, remember they operate on a different loyalty system entirely.