Oscar™

Considering that Sheldon Adelson would try to trademark the rays of the sun, if only he dared, who can blame Oscar Goodman for getting into the franchising game? According to Tamares Group‘s media rep, Amy Maier, the ex-mayor doesn’t own any percentage of the new Union Plaza steakhouse bearing his name. However, he is “licensing his name for the restaurant and will be very involved in the decisions regarding the concepts of the restaurant including design, decor, menus, etc.” In view of Hizzoner’s well-known outspokenness, I have no doubts as to his degree of creative involvement. Between the Goodman announcement and the Insurgo Theater media splash last week, the Plaza is generating a pretty good PR tailwind going into this month’s grand reopening.