In 1979, Steven Schussler stepped out of an advertising career to open a nostalgia brainchild he dubbed JukeBox Saturday Night - a warehouse lovingly crammed with authentic props and memorabilia from the 50’s and 60’s. Schussler’s creativity and enthusiasm rapidly drew nation wide attention as he became recognized as a foremost source for props and promotional concepts. Schussler has since lent his extensive experience and eye for detail to a variety of national trade exhibits, successful shopping mall promotions and to the spectacular premiere party of GREASE II.

Schussler developed the DESIGN CONCEPT STUDIO and JBSN, INC., which has been responsible for providing interior designs and theme parties for such clients as Paullette Wolff Productions, McDonalds, Continental Can, Paramount Pictures, 20th Century Fox, Hyatt Regency Hotels, NBC and Anheuser Busch, Inc., ABC and CBS Television.

In March 1986, Steven was the feature and cover story for Entrepreneur Magazine and was honored as one of the top 100 entrepreneurs in the country. Schussler and JukeBox Saturday Night were featured in the February 8, 1987 edition of Sunday Magazine (part of the Minneapolis Star Tribune) and was the lead story for Success Magazine’s, “Great Comeback’s” story in the August, 1987 edition. On February 3, 1994, Steven Schussler and Lyle Berman formed RAINFOREST CAFE, INC., a 15,800 sq. ft. retail store and restaurant located at the Mall of America, Bloomington, MN. On October 3, 1994, Rainforest Cafe opened its doors to the public. On April 7, 1995, Rainforest Cafe completed its initial public offering.

The development of Rainforest Cafe spanned over 17 years with 45 restaurants opening throughout the world. Rainforest Café is the only restaurant company in the world to have opened up in every Disney theme park. Having gone public with only one store open, Rainforest Cafe still holds records for being the top grossing restaurant concept in the country mixing retail, live and animated animals and the whimsicality that attracts those from ages three to 103 along with wheelchair and stroller parking. Rainforest Cafe entertained and educated within the same experience setting attendance records and having three hour waiting lines. Rainforest Cafe was also known for its outreach educational program and its commitment to the environment through forming a non-profit charity called Friends of the Future Foundation.

In spring of 2000, Steve formed Schussler Creative, Inc. after the sale of Rainforest Cafe so that the creative energies that Steven Schussler brought to Rainforest Cafe could be expanded into other areas of development, which would include restaurant and entertainment concepts. Steve recently sold 80% of the T-Tex restaurants, his newest restaurant concept, to Landry Restaurants, Inc.