The Newcomer Billionaires of 2012

Woods Staton
Staton's Arcos Dorados shelled out $700 million in 2007 for the rights to operate McDonald’s throughout Latin America and the Caribbean. He became a billionaire in April 2011, when the group, which now owns 1,775 in 20 countries, debuted on the New York Stock Exchange. He owns a net worth of $1.7 billion.

Tilman Fertitta
In 1986, Fertitta started off with a dining chain Landry's as a real estate specialist. Within the time span of two years he had the top job and became controlling stock holder. He took over the company private in October 2010 in a deal worth $1.4 billion. The company operates Bubba Gump Shrimp Company, and Saltgrass Steak House as well as Landry’s Seafood. He owns a net worth of $1.5 billion.

Manoj Bhargava
The Indian-born Bhargava tried his hands in lot careers like demolition man, Princeton undergrad, cab driver, plastics executive. He even spent 12 years living in a Delhi ashram as a monk. But he has smacked it with 5-Hour Energy, a two-ounce elixir of caffeine, B vitamins and taurine that sells for $3 a bottle. Copycat brands beware; he’s known to be litigious. He owns a net worth of $1.3 billion.