Tilman J. Fertitta is the Billion Dollar Buyer

Billionaire hospitality mogul Tilman J. Fertitta can make small businesses big with just one life-changing order. In CNBC’s newest primetime series, “,” premiering Tuesday, March 22 at 10 pm ET/PT, he’ll travel the country to meet twelve potential suppliers─ and decide if they have what it takes to partner with his empire.

Chairman, CEO, and sole shareholder of Landry’s, Inc., Fertitta oversees more than 500 properties and over 50 leading restaurant, hotel, and entertainment brands, ranging from high-end properties like Mastro’s and Morton’s The Steakhouse, to such mainstream destinations as Rainforest Cafe, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., Saltgrass Steak House, and five Golden Nugget Casinos. With an annual supply spend of $2 billion, his buying power is second to none. Now, he’s personally scouting the country for the most innovative new products America’s entrepreneurs have to offer – everything from food and drink for his restaurants and casinos, to linens and spa products for his hotels.

In each hour-long episode, Fertitta will spend time with two small businesses, sample their goods, get to know the owners, and assess their compatibility with Landry’s, Inc. He’ll point out flaws in their product and operations, share his expertise, and push for improvements. In the end, he’ll decide whether to place a transformative purchase order with one of the companies, both, or neither.

The small businesses featured this season:

• Bravado Spice — Houston, TX
• East Side Glass Studio — Austin, TX
• Further Products — Los Angeles, CA
• Galanter & Jones — San Francisco, CA
• iPourIt — Lake Forest, CA
• Liber Cocktails — Austin, TX
• Linoto Linens — New York, NY
• Macaron By Patisse — Houston, TX
• Manveena’s Solutions — New York, NY
• Marcellino New York — Huntington Village, Long Island
• Rossmore LA — Los Angeles, CA
• The Jam Stand — Brooklyn, NY

On the series premiere, Fertitta meets with two local Houston businesses to find products that will spice up his booming restaurants, hotels, and casinos. First up is Macaron By Patisse, a sibling-owned specialty dessert shop financed by their parent’s retirement fund. Next up is Bravado Spice, an award-winning hot sauce company run by two hard-headed friends who turned their hobby into a full-time career. If they impress, they could win an order that will transform their business and their lives.  But failure could mean the end of the road. Will either duo be able to strike a deal with the Billion Dollar Buyer?

BILLION DOLLAR BUYER is produced for CNBC by Endemol Shine North America with David Tibballs and Robin Feinberg as executive producers. Jim Ackerman and Luke Bauer are the executive producers for CNBC.

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