Morton's The Steakhouse
An American upscale steakhouse chain founded in Chicago in 1978 and wholly owned by Landry's, Inc.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Morton's The Steakhouse is an American upscale dining brand centered on prime steaks, seafood, wine, and formal steakhouse service. The chain was founded in Chicago in 1978 by Arnold J. Morton and Klaus Fritsch, who had previously worked together at the Playboy Club in Montreal. The brand's origin is associated with a hamburger that Fritsch prepared for Morton while the club was revising its menu; the positive reaction encouraged the two partners to establish their own restaurant. They opened Morton's of Chicago in Newberry Plaza in downtown Chicago, positioning the business around polished service and a premium menu rather than a casual burger concept. The restaurant became known for a classic American steakhouse format: substantial beef cuts, seafood, an extensive wine offering, and a formal dining-room atmosphere suited to business meals, celebrations, and special occasions. Dry-aged and other premium steak preparations have been central to the brand identity, while menu offerings have also included items such as lobster, shellfish, salads, side dishes, and desserts. Its name and operating model have been extended through locations in the United States and franchised restaurants abroad. Morton's ownership changed in 1987, when the company was sold for a reported $12.4 million to Quantum Restaurant Group, Inc., a venture-capital-backed restaurant company. Klaus Fritsch remained president after the transaction, preserving continuity in the brand's management and operating culture. The chain continued expanding as a recognizable upscale steakhouse brand during the following decades. In December 2011, Landry's, Inc., led by Tilman Fertitta, announced that it had agreed to acquire all of Morton's stock. The transaction gave Landry's complete ownership, and the acquisition was completed in 2012. Following the deal, Morton's corporate operations were moved to Landry's headquarters in Houston. The brand consequently became part of a large private restaurant portfolio that also includes concepts such as Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Rainforest Cafe, and Landry's Seafood. The original Chicago restaurant closed in November 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic. The closure ended the tenure of the founding location but did not end the brand, which remains an active Landry's restaurant concept. Morton's continues to operate primarily as a premium, occasion-oriented steakhouse, combining established steakhouse conventions with the scale, purchasing resources, and portfolio infrastructure of its parent company. Its positioning remains distinct from fast-casual and mass-market dining: the brand emphasizes premium ingredients, dining-room experience, hospitality, and a recognizable formal steakhouse identity.
History
Morton's The Steakhouse began in Chicago in 1978 as a partnership between Arnold J. Morton and Klaus Fritsch. The two founders had worked together at the Playboy Club in Montreal while the club was reconsidering its menu. Fritsch prepared a hamburger for Morton to taste, and Morton's enthusiastic response helped inspire the pair to open a restaurant of their own. Their first establishment, Morton's of Chicago, opened in Newberry Plaza in downtown Chicago. Although the founding anecdote involves a hamburger, the business developed around the upscale American steakhouse model. Morton's built its identity through premium beef, seafood, wine, formal service, and a dining-room environment associated with business entertaining and special occasions. The concept subsequently expanded beyond its original Chicago base through restaurants in the United States and franchised locations in international markets. A significant ownership transition occurred in 1987, when Morton's was sold for a reported $12.4 million to Quantum Restaurant Group, Inc. Klaus Fritsch remained president after the sale, providing continuity during the change in ownership. The brand continued operating as a premium restaurant chain rather than being absorbed into a lower-priced or more casual format. Landry's, Inc. became Morton's next major owner. In December 2011, Landry's president, chief executive, and sole owner Tilman Fertitta announced the purchase of all Morton's stock. Landry's completed the acquisition in 2012 and moved Morton's corporate operations to Houston. This made Morton's part of Landry's broad collection of hospitality and restaurant concepts, alongside brands including Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, Rainforest Cafe, Cadillac Bar, and Landry's Seafood. The original Chicago restaurant closed in November 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the restaurant industry. The closure was significant because the site represented the brand's founding location, but Morton's continued as an active chain under Landry's ownership. In July 2022, a political controversy brought national attention to the brand. Brett Kavanaugh attended a dinner at Morton's Washington, D.C., restaurant and departed before dessert after pro-choice demonstrators from ShutDownDC protested nearby and called for his removal. Reports indicated that Kavanaugh did not encounter or hear the protesters and was not harassed inside the restaurant. Morton's nevertheless issued a public statement expressing outrage and defending what it described as diners' right to congregate and eat dinner. The statement prompted further demonstrations, substantial online criticism, and a reported wave of fake reservations. A company chief operating officer reportedly told managers that the response had become a major negative trend on social media. The episode illustrated the reputational risks that can arise when a hospitality brand publicly aligns itself with a politically contested incident.
- 2022
Washington, D.C., political controversy
[1]Morton's publicly responds after protests outside its Washington, D.C., restaurant following a dinner by Brett Kavanaugh.
- 2020
Founding Chicago location closes
[1]The original downtown Chicago restaurant closes in November during the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2012
Landry's completes acquisition
[1]Landry's completes the purchase and relocates Morton's corporate operations to Houston.
- 2011
Landry's announces acquisition
[1]Landry's announces an agreement to acquire all of Morton's stock.
- 1987
Ownership passes to Quantum Restaurant Group
[1]Morton's is sold to Quantum Restaurant Group, Inc. for a reported $12.4 million; Klaus Fritsch remains president.
- 1978
Morton's of Chicago opens
[1]Arnold J. Morton and Klaus Fritsch open the first Morton's restaurant in Newberry Plaza in downtown Chicago.
Products and positioning
Upscale American steakhouse dining for business meals, celebrations, and other special occasions.
Main course · 1978
Premium steaks
The core offering is a range of premium beef cuts prepared in the traditional American steakhouse style. Steak service is central to Morton's identity and supports the brand's upscale positioning, with the dining experience built around substantial portions, formal presentation, and table service.
Signature steak offering
Dry-aged steaks
Dry-aged steak is associated with Morton's premium product proposition. The process concentrates flavor and changes the texture of the beef, making it suitable for the brand's high-end steakhouse format and for customers seeking a more specialized steak experience.
Seafood · 1978
Seafood and lobster
Seafood provides a major complement to the beef-led menu. Offerings have included lobster and other shellfish, allowing the restaurant to serve diners who prefer seafood while retaining the formal, premium character of the steakhouse concept.
Beverage · 1978
Wine program
Wine is an important part of the Morton's dining proposition, pairing with steaks and seafood and reinforcing the brand's role in celebratory, business, and special-occasion dining.
Controversies
2022
Response to protests following Brett Kavanaugh dinner
After protesters from ShutDownDC demonstrated outside Morton's Washington, D.C., restaurant during a dinner attended by Brett Kavanaugh, Morton's issued a statement condemning the protest and defending diners' right to eat without disruption. The response led to additional protests, online criticism, and reported fake reservations.
Brand decisions
2011
Landry's acquisition agreementM&ABackground
Landry's sought to add Morton's established upscale steakhouse concept to its restaurant portfolio.
Action taken
Landry's announced an agreement to purchase all of Morton's stock.
Aftermath
The transaction was completed in 2012, after which Morton's became a wholly owned Landry's brand and its corporate operations moved to Houston.
1987
Sale to Quantum Restaurant GroupM&ABackground
Morton's moved from founder-led ownership to ownership by Quantum Restaurant Group, a venture-capital restaurant company.
Action taken
The company was sold for a reported $12.4 million, while Klaus Fritsch stayed on as president.
Aftermath
The transaction preserved operating continuity while placing the chain under new financial ownership.
Reported sale price. $12.4 million (1987)
Recent events
- 2020
Original Chicago Morton's location closes during the pandemic[1]
Other
The founding Morton's location in Newberry Plaza, Chicago, closed in November 2020 amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
- 2012
Landry's completes Morton's acquisition and moves operations to Houston[1]
M&A
The acquisition was completed and Morton's corporate operations were transferred to Landry's headquarters in Houston.
- 2011
Landry's announces acquisition of Morton's[1]
M&A
Landry's announced that it would acquire all outstanding Morton's stock, establishing the basis for complete ownership of the steakhouse chain.
Sources1 sources
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