SAN ANTONIO -- The San Antonio City Council voted unanimously Thursday night to award Landry's Restaurants a new contract to operate the Tower of Americas.

The council's decision means the end of an era for Tower Foods, which operated the revolving restaurant since 1968.

The Houston-based restaurant company guaranteed the city will receive nearly $5 million more than what Tower Foods promised over the length of the 15-year contract.

"It's important to take as little risk as possible, and that's what this boiled down to," Mayor Ed Garza said. "Just looking at the financial numbers, it's clear that the Laundry proposal is much stronger."

Additional profits on top of the guaranteed revenues may add more money to the city budget.

City Councilman Roger Flores said that protecting city attractions is important and more funds are needed to accomplish that.