Houston’s Most Famous Billionaire Throws Open His Reality TV Show to Local Entrepreneurs

Heads up, local entrepreneurs! Tilman Fertitta and his CNBC Billion Dollar Buyer show team will soon be on the prowl in Houston for local products worthy of competing in the battle for the hospitality mogul’s investment blessing.

It’s an open casting call at the George R. Brown Convention Center on Thursday, March 9, with doors opening at 10 a.m. and presentations of unique products accepted up until 6 p.m.

Interested parties with products or services that apply to the Landry’s empire of restaurant, retail, hospitality and gaming interests can get more info and make the necessary application for a slot at the cast call here.

“Houston is my hometown and I want to help those in our community turn their small business into big business,” Fertitta said in a statement. “If you think you’ve got what it takes to earn my business, we want to hear from you.”

While the Landry’s family wannabes on Billion Dollar Buyer are considered from across the nation, Fertitta has engaged a number of Lone Star companies including Houston’s Bravado Spice, Austin’s Liber & Co. and the Cameron-based beef supplier 44 Farms. The latter received the largest deal in the show’s history with a $2 million buy in Season Two.

With Fertitta’s wealth of businesses including more than 500 properties with more than 50 restaurant, hotel and entertainment brands, the opportunity for a small business to score with the Houston billionaire is huge, particularly considering his annual supply spend of $2 million.

Each week in the hour-long episodes, two small businesses visit with Fertitta, present their goods and make a play for his financial affection. Fertitta studies the operations, points out flaws, shares his expertise and calls for improvements. Ultimately, he decides where to place a transformative purchase order with either, both or neither of the companies.