Houston Rockets Owner Tilman Fertitta Heads to CNBC's BILLION DOLLAR BUYER

CNBC today announced the twelve small businesses looking to strike a deal with Tilman Fertitta, Chairman, CEO, and sole shareholder of Landry's, Inc. - and now, the new owner of the Houston Rockets ? on the new season of BILLION DOLLAR BUYER. From restaurants to hotels and casinos ? and now sports arenas ? Fertitta looks to small businesses to meet his customer's needs and one life-changing order for these entrepreneurs could mean the difference between success and failure. Season three of "Billion Dollar Buyer" premieres Wednesday, January 3 at 10pm ET/PT with seven all-new one-hour episodes, including a special update on some of the businesses featured in the past two seasons. Tilman revisits Liber & Co., Bravado Spice, Kismet and more and decides whether or not to increase the original order.

In each episode, Fertitta will spend time with two small businesses, sample their goods, get to know their 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.

On the Wednesday, January 3rdseason premiere, Fertitta offers two small businesses an opportunity that could change their lives forever. First up is Autonomy Farms, who hope to end their recent string of bad luck by impressing Tilman with their organic beef and produce. Next up is Too Pretty, an athleisure company with a female empowerment message that packs a punch. If their products are a knockout, Tilman will help their business reach the next level. But if they fail, Tilman will put their bids out to pasture.

The new businesses featured in season three include (*alphabetical order; air dates to be announced):

• Autonomy Farms - Bakersfield, CA
• BellaBreeze - Houston, TX
• Eat Drink Host - Spring, TX
• Hanley's Foods - Baton Rouge, LA
• K&N Custom Granite - Houston, TX
• LoweCo. - Dallas, TX
• Mar-tea-na Tea Company - Houston, TX
• Nino's Pasta - Northlake, IL
• Pasturebird - Murrieta, CA
• SOCIAL Sparkling Wine - Chicago, IL
• Texas Mattress MAKERS - Houston, TX
• Too Pretty - Santa Monica, CA

Fertitta oversees more than 600 properties and over 60 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 Café, 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 furniture and bedding for his hotels.

For more information about "Billion Dollar Buyer," visit billiondollarbuyer.cnbc.com. Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter and Instagram! #BillionDollarBuyer

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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