Bubba Gump co-founder Busald named CEOBubba Gump co-founder Busald named CEO

Lisa Jennings

Tim Busald has been named president and chief executive of the Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. Restaurant and Market Inc., replacing outgoing CEO Scott Barnett.

Previously a vice president at the San Clemente, Calif.-based casual-dining seafood chain, Busald is one of the founders who created the brand in 1996, which was inspired by the hit movie “Forrest Gump.”

In addition, the company also named former vice president Gail Taggart to the post of executive vice president and chief strategic officer. Taggart is also a co-founder and has been instrumental in expanding the brand to international markets.

The new leadership team will take over from founding president and chief executive Barnett, who announced earlier this year that he would be stepping down to pursue other opportunities.

The Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. operates 22 domestic locations and one in Hong Kong. Franchisees operate another 11 units overseas in markets that include Mexico, Japan, Indonesia, Malaysia and the Philippines. The company also includes three locations of The Mai Tai Bar nightclubs, and one-offs Capi’s Italian Kitchen in Chicago, and The Newport Beach Rusty Pelican.

Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. was a spinoff of the Rusty Pelican Restaurants Inc., of which Barnett was president and chief executive when the company opened the first Bubba Gump in Monterey, Calif. Most of the Rusty Pelican brand locations were later sold to Landry’s Seafood Restaurants Inc. of Houston, and the San Clemente company changed its name to Bubba Gump to focus on development of that brand.

Busald said he was excited to lead the team as the company continues to build the brand worldwide.

“Our team has built a company culture which consistently delivers an exceptional dining experience for our guests,” he said in a statement. “We have great employees, highly committed operators and a superior executive staff.”

Contact Lisa Jennings at [email protected].