Hey foodies! I’ve been getting tons of questions about who actually owns the famous Bubba Gump Shrimp Company restaurants. Ya know, those awesome seafood spots inspired by the movie Forrest Gump? Well, I did some digging to get you the full scoop on this popular chain’s ownership journey.
The Current Owner: Landry’s Inc.
Let me cut straight to the chase – Bubba Gump Shrimp is currently owned by Landry’s Inc., a major restaurant and hospitality company based in Houston Texas. They bought the chain back in November 2010 for an undisclosed amount (pretty mysterious right?).
The Complete Ownership Timeline
The Beginning (1995-1996)
- An entrepreneur named Anthony Zolezzi kicked things off when he bought the rights to use “Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.” from Paramount Pictures in 1995
- He initially used the name for packaged shrimp products sold in supermarkets (bet ya didn’t know that!)
- The first actual restaurant opened in 1996 in Monterey, California through a partnership between:
- Rusty Pelican Restaurants
- Paramount Pictures (the folks behind Forrest Gump)
- Zolezzi’s licensing agreement
The Growth Years (1996-2010)
- The restaurant was such a hit that it started expanding like crazy
- They opened locations in super touristy spots like:
- Universal CityWalk in Hollywood
- Santa Monica Pier
- Times Square in NYC
- Navy Pier in Chicago
- The French Quarter in New Orleans
The Landry’s Era (2010-Present)
When Landry’s bought Bubba Gump in 2010, some big changes happened:
- The headquarters moved from Hollywood to Houston
- They got access to Landry’s massive restaurant experience
- The chain became part of Landry’s impressive portfolio that includes:
- Morton’s The Steakhouse
- Rainforest Cafe
- Chart House
- Many other well-known restaurant brands
Current State of the Business
As of 2025, here’s what Bubba Gump Shrimp looks like:
- 33 restaurants worldwide
- 21 locations in the United States
- 12 international locations:
- 4 in Mexico
- 3 in Japan
- 1 each in:
- Mainland China
- Hong Kong
- Qatar
- Indonesia
- Canada
What Makes Bubba Gump Special?
I gotta tell ya what makes these restaurants unique:
- Movie Theme: Everything’s based on Forrest Gump – from the decor to the menu names
- Fun Atmosphere: They’ve got these cute “Stop Forrest Stop” signs to call your server
- Menu Highlights:
- Jenny’s Catch (named after you-know-who)
- Forrest’s Seafood Feast (their best-seller!)
- Tons of shrimp dishes (duh!)
- Southern and Cajun cuisine (because Forrest and Bubba were from Alabama)
Why Landry’s Ownership Matters
Here’s why having Landry’s as an owner is actually pretty cool:
- They’re HUGE in the restaurant business
- They know how to run successful chains
- They’ve got mad resources for:
- Training
- Supply chain management
- Marketing
- Restaurant operations
The Future Under Landry’s
From what I can see, Bubba Gump’s future looks pretty bright under Landry’s:
- They’re maintaining the fun movie theme
- The quality stays consistent
- They’re still expanding to new locations
- The brand keeps getting stronger
My Final Thoughts
As someone who’s followed the restaurant industry for years, I think Landry’s ownership of Bubba Gump has been a win-win. They’ve kept what makes the chain special while adding their restaurant expertise to make it even better.
The next time you’re chomping down on some shrimp at Bubba Gump, you can tell your friends all about who owns it – and maybe even impress them with some fun facts about its history!
Have you ever eaten at a Bubba Gump restaurant? What’s your fave dish? Drop a comment below – I’d love to hear your experiences!
P.S. – If you’re planning to visit don’t forget to try the Forrest’s Seafood Feast. Trust me it’s popular for a reason!
Bubba Gump Shrimp Started As A Fictional Company
Bubba Gump Shrimp began as a fictional company from Forrest Gump, but in 1995, Anthony Zolezzi bought the rights to the name Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. from Paramount Pictures. Zolezzi hoped to use the name to revive his struggling seafood company, Meridian Products. At first, the newly named Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. sold prepackaged shrimp in supermarkets. However, after a friend in the restaurant business approached Zolezzi about using the name, he opened the first Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant.
Since the first Bubba Gump Shrimp restaurant opened in 1996, the company has franchised and spread across the globe. In 2010, Landrys Inc. bought the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and continued expansion of the franchise. Bubba Gump Shrimp now has 34 restaurants worldwide, serving dishes named after characters from Forrest Gump. The restaurants themselves are Forrest Gump themed, sporting all kinds of Forrest Gump-related decorations and tributes. They often celebrate the best Forrest Gump quotes with things like “Stop, Forrest, Stop” signs to signal employees.
The History Of Bubba Gump Shrimp
FAQ
Who is the real owner of Bubba Gump Shrimp?
In November 2010, Landry’s, Inc. acquired Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Does Tom Hanks own Bubba Gump Shrimp?
How much did Landrys buy Bubba Gump for?
Houston-based Landry’s paid $120 million for the Bubba Gump chain, which had been previously owned by a private equity group, Fertitta said.
Who is the CEO of Bubba Gump?
Scott Barnett – President/CEO at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co | LinkedIn.