Company Background and Ownership
Bubba Gump Shrimp Company is a themed seafood restaurant chain inspired by the 1994 film Forrest Gump. The brand is currently owned and operated by Landry's, Inc., a Houston-based hospitality and entertainment conglomerate. Landry's acquired the chain to expand its portfolio of themed dining concepts focused on seafood and family entertainment. The restaurants are known for their coastal decor, live music, and references to the movie's characters and dialogue.
The chain operates under a mix of company-owned locations and franchise agreements in international markets. Landry's uses the Bubba Gump brand to drive traffic in high-traffic tourism and entertainment districts. The business model combines themed dining with merchandise sales and event hosting to increase per-visit revenue.
Financial Performance and Metrics
Landry's does not break out Bubba Gump's standalone revenue in its public filings, but the chain contributes to the company's overall restaurant segment, which reported total revenue of approximately $3.1 billion for fiscal year 2023. The segment operates hundreds of locations across multiple brands, with Bubba Gump representing a mid-tier performer in terms of unit volume compared to Landry's other seafood concepts.
For investor data on Landry's restaurant segment, the company files annual reports with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, which are accessible through its investor relations page. The SEC filings provide detailed breakdowns of restaurant counts, capital expenditures, and segment-level operating income. Analysts use these filings to estimate same-store sales growth and brand-level contribution within the portfolio.
Global Expansion and Menu Offerings
Bubba Gump operates locations in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Japan, and several other international markets. The chain focuses on airport terminals, resort areas, and tourist districts to capture high-footfall audiences. The menu centers on shrimp-based dishes, seafood platters, and American coastal cuisine, with seasonal specials tied to local ingredients.
In 2024, Landry's continued to refresh the Bubba Gump concept with updated interior designs and expanded digital ordering capabilities. The company also integrated the brand more closely with its other seafood holdings to streamline supply chain operations. For a deeper look at Landry's overall restaurant strategy and recent acquisitions, the company's latest earnings release provides details on future expansion plans and capital allocation.