Who Owns The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company

So, Who's the Big Cheese Behind Bubba Gump Shrimp?

Alright, gather 'round, folks. I've got a tale to tell about a certain shrimp company that's become as iconic as Forrest Gump's box of chocolates. You know, the one where you never know what you're gonna get? Well, today, we're lifting the lid on who's behind the counter at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.

Now, before we dive in, let's get one thing straight. No, Forrest Gump himself isn't running this show. As much as we'd love to see him in an apron, shouting "Shrimp is the fruit of the sea!" while flipping pancakes, it's just not the case. Sorry to burst your bubble, but the real story is just as interesting, if not more.

From the Big Screen to the Dinner Table

So, where did this shrimp-tastic idea come from? Well, it all started with a little movie called "Forrest Gump." You might've heard of it. It was a big deal back in '94. Anyway, the film's studio, Paramount Pictures, was sitting on a goldmine of merchandising potential, and they weren't about to let those shrimp references go to waste.

Enter Viacom, the media conglomerate that owned Paramount at the time. They had an idea: why not turn Forrest's shrimp business into a real-life restaurant chain? And thus, the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. was born, ready to serve up platters of shrimp to hungry moviegoers and tourists alike.

Viacom: The Mastermind Behind the Menu

Now, you might be thinking, "But who's Viacom, and why should I care?" Well, let me tell you, they're a big deal. They've got their fingers in a lot of pies - MTV, Nickelodeon, even Paramount Pictures itself. So, when they decided to dive into the restaurant business, they weren't messing around.

Viacom partnered up with Landry's, Inc., a restaurant management company that's responsible for other big-name eateries like Rainforest Cafe and Morton's The Steakhouse. Together, they turned Forrest's shrimp shack into a reality, opening the first Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in 1996 in the Universal CityWalk in Los Angeles.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Universal Florida Review

From One Location to a Global Phenomenon

And boy, did it take off! Before you could say "Life is like a box of chocolates," Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. was popping up all over the place - from Disney parks to international hotspots. Today, you can find one in countries like Japan, Germany, and even the United Arab Emirates. Talk about a shrimp-tacular global takeover!

But here's where things get a little interesting. You see, while Viacom and Landry's were the ones who brought us this shrimp-tastic adventure, they're not the ones calling the shots anymore. No, no, no. That's where our story takes a bit of a twist.

A Change in Management: Enter the New Bosses

In 2010, Viacom decided to sell off some of its restaurant properties, including our beloved shrimp shack. Enter SPi, a restaurant management company that snapped up the Bubba Gump brand and ran with it. And by 'ran with it,' I mean they opened even more locations, taking the total count to over 40 worldwide.

Now, you might be wondering, "Who are these mysterious SPi folks, and what do they know about shrimp?" Well, not much, if we're being honest. You see, SPi is actually a subsidiary of Landry's, Inc., the same company that helped Viacom bring Bubba Gump to life in the first place. Talk about a full circle moment!

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company - Santa Monica, California

So, Who's Really Running the Show?

Alright, so we've established that Landry's is still very much involved in the day-to-day operations of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. But who's the bigwig calling the shots? The mastermind behind the menu? The one making sure we never run out of those famous "Shrimp by the Pound" platters?

Well, that would be Tilman Fertitta, the billionaire businessman and CEO of Landry's, Inc. He's the one who's been steering the Bubba Gump ship since 2010, and he's not doing a half-bad job of it, if you ask me. After all, the place is still going strong, and Forrest would be proud.

And There You Have It!

So, there you have it, folks. The story of who owns the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is a tale of movie studios, restaurant management companies, and one very successful shrimp business. And the next time you find yourself chowing down on a plate of Forrest's famous shrimp, you'll know just who to thank - or blame, depending on how you feel about your waistline.

Now, if you'll excuse me, all this talk of shrimp has made me hungry. I think it's time for a little field trip to my nearest Bubba Gump. Who's with me?