Peter Morton and Isaac Tigrett established the first Hard Rock Cafe in London in 1971. Hard Rock International began its global expansion in 1982 when Tigrett and Morton agreed to develop their own Hard Rock Cafes in various parts of the globe. Morton opened Hard Rock Cafes in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago and Houston. Tigrett opened locations in New York, Dallas, Boston, Washington, D.C., Orlando, Paris and Berlin, eventually selling his interest to Mecca Leisure.
In 1990, The Rank Group Plc acquired Mecca and continued expansion of the concept in its geographic territory. Rank then acquired Hard Rock America from Peter Morton in 1996 and consolidated worldwide control of the brand.
In March 2007, the Seminole Tribe of Florida acquired Hard Rock International, Inc. and other related entities from The Rank Group Plc.
Today, Hard Rock International is one of the most globally recognized companies in the world and has venues in over 70 countries; Cafes, Casinos and Hotels.