Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is partnering with Rubicon Resources to market the concept's oven-ready seafood entrées and appetizers, including Chipotle BBQ Shrimp and Soy-Ginger Shrimp & Noodles, at retail outlets nationwide.
The meals will be available at most supermarkets and club stores by year's end. The deal was announced on Sept. 5.
"This project represents an important step in the extension of the brand beyond our core restaurant business," says Scott Barnett, president and CEO of Bubba Gump. "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."
Bubba Gump operates 22 U.S. restaurants and 10 locations overseas, including Hong Kong, Tokyo and Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The San Clemente, Calif., company - which opened its first restaurant in Monterey, Calif., in 1996 and was inspired by the 1994 film "Forrest Gump" - plans to open 35 to 50 restaurants in the next five years.
"We're excited about the opportunity to parlay the great food and brand strength of Bubba Gump into the retail world," says Brian Wynn, president and founder of Rubicon, one of the country's largest shrimp importers and distributors. "We can't think of a name more synonymous with great seafood than Bubba Gump."
