Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Has Partnered with Rubicon Resources for an Exciting New Line of Retail Gourmet Meals.
LOS ANGELES, CA (Sept. 1, 2008) - The world-famous Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has signed an exclusive partnership deal with Rubicon Resources LLC, one of the world’s largest suppliers of sustainable and environmentally friendly seafood, to bring the restaurant’s award-winning menu to the retail space.
Inspired by the 1994 Paramount Pictures film Forrest Gump, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurants, Inc. has built a solid brand around high-quality products mixed with an unforgettable dining experience. Bubba Gump’s history, reputation for excellence and brand strength provide reason for optimism as Rubicon Resources prepares to introduce the well loved brand to the retail market. With unique oven-ready meals and appetizers like Chipotle BBQ Shrimp and Soy-Ginger Shrimp & Noodles, Rubicon expects the trans-fat-free gourmet meals to be available in most supermarkets and club stores before the new year.
"We're excited about the opportunity to parlay the great food and brand strength of Bubba Gump into the retail world," said Brian Wynn, president and founder of Rubicon Resources. "We can't think of a name more synonymous with great seafood than Bubba Gump."
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has become a favorite of visitors to each of its 33 US and international locations. Ten consecutive years of same store sales growth and 2008 projected revenues of nearly $200 million tell the story. With restaurants from Times Square to Tokyo, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. has been recognized as “an American icon” by People Magazine, and received numerous awards for its practices in food safety, food quality and community involvement.
This project represents an important step in the extension of the brand beyond our core restaurant business. Rubicon's commitment to high-quality environmentally friendly product is right in line with our philosophies at Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. and it made the decision to partner with them easy," said Scott Barnett, President and CEO of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
About Rubicon Resources
Rubicon Resources is one of the leading importers and distributors of sustainable seafood in North America. We are committed to using only the highest quality ingredients in all of our gourmet products while staying true to our belief in the preservation of our oceans and marine wildlife. As a vertically integrated group of food companies with facilities around the world, Rubicon Resources can ensure that our seafood products are all handmade, hand-inspected, and of the highest quality ingredients.
Additionally, Rubicon Resources is also one of the founding members of the Aquaculture Certification Council and a proud sponsor and contributor of the conservation foundation Ocean Trust
About Bubba Gump Shrimp Co.
Since the 1996 debut of the flagship Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on Cannery Row in Monterey, Calif., 19 additional locations have opened, many in key tourist destinations. A privately held company headquartered in San Clemente, Calif., Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. plans to open 35 to 50 additional restaurants in the next five years. As the Shrimp Po' Boy and Shrimp New Orleans indicate, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. brings to life the 1994 hit movie "Forrest Gump." The restaurant features down-home décor reminiscent of the movie's Alabama setting. Film memorabilia and still photos decorate the walls, along with reproductions of script pages, storyboards and costumes, to create a fun family atmosphere. Scrawled "Gumpisms" grace the varnished tabletops inside, and guests can try on plaster casts of Forrest's running shoes at the famed bus bench in front of the restaurant. A retail store within the restaurant sells souvenirs and clothing. Specialty items include Bubba's shrimp cookbook, license plates with catch phrases like "RUN, Forrest, RUN," boxes of chocolate, and T-shirts, hats and sweatshirts. For more information about Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurants, visit www.bubbagump.com. The Web site features sample menus, restaurant locations, Bubba Gump merchandise and more.