RioStar Corp.

RioStar Corporation was an American restaurant holding corporation controlled by Ninfa Laurenzo and her family. The company controlled the Ninfa's, Bambolino's, and Atchafalaya River Cafe brands. In March 1990, RioStar had 22 employees working in its corporate office.[1] When RioStar was in existence, its corporate headquarters were in the East End of Houston, Texas.[2]

RioStar was one of Houston's largest Hispanic-owned businesses.[3] In 1994 it was one of 23 Hispanic-owned businesses in Greater Houston to be listed in Hispanic Business magazine's top 500 Hispanic-owned business in the United States,[4] taking the rank of 65th largest.[5]

The chairperson of RioStar was Ninfa Laurenzo.[6] By 1993 she no longer operated the restaurants on a family basis.[7] Roland Laurenzo, Ninfa's son, served as the company's president.[6] Lee Kelleher served as the vice president and chief financial officer.[1] Steve DiMeo served as the executive vice president.[5]

  1. ^ a b Boisseau, Charles. "Serving up more Cajun/Atchafalaya hot on expanding." Houston Chronicle. Saturday March 24, 1990. Business 1. Retrieved on February 6, 2012.
  2. ^ D & B Business Rankings. Dun & Bradstreet, 1998. 38. Retrieved from Google Books on February 6, 2012. "4824 RIOSTAR CORP 2727 Canal St, Houston, TX 77003-1526"
  3. ^ Woodyard, Chris. "Firms owned by Hispanics growing fast/Number of businesses rose 76% in 5 years." Houston Chronicle. Thursday July 11, 1996. Business 1. Retrieved on February 6, 2012.
  4. ^ Staff. "Top Hispanic-owned companies." Houston Chronicle. Saturday June 23, 1994. Business 1. Retrieved on February 6, 2012.
  5. ^ a b Hassel, Greg. "Billy Blues, Ninfa's break engagement." Houston Chronicle. Wednesday January 26, 1994. Business 1. Retrieved on February 6, 2012.
  6. ^ a b Hassel, Greg. "Sysco goes to court vs. RioStar/Chapter 7 sought for Ninfa's parent." Houston Chronicle. Friday October 18, 1996. Business 1. Retrieved on February 6, 2012.
  7. ^ Hassel, Greg. "Corporate combination platter/Ninfa's joins forces with San Antonio's Billy Blues." Houston Chronicle. Thursday September 23, 1993. Business 1. Retrieved on February 6, 2012.