How Many Bubba Gump Shrimp Locations Are There: 40+ Found

As you begin asking how many Bubba Gump Shrimp locations there are, you quickly see it’s grown far beyond that initial spot in Monterey, California. Today, you’re looking at 40 plus restaurants, with most in the U.S. and 16 spread across busy cities like Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Beijing. You could feel a bit curious, perhaps even nostalgic, because each place blends Forrest Gump charm with local flavor in a way that quietly pulls you toward what comes next.

Global Footprint Of Bubba Gump Shrimp Co

Although Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. began as a fun idea from the movie “Forrest Gump,” it has grown into a real global brand with a surprisingly wide footprint.

You’re not just visiting a restaurant. You’re stepping into a worldwide community of fans who love the same story, food, and playful spirit you do.

Right now, there are 38 locations worldwide, including busy cities like Tokyo and Hong Kong, plus Beijing’s Universal CityWalk.

This global expansion reaches into Asia, Europe, Mexico, and more, so you can feel at home in many corners of the world.

You’ll also see franchise opportunities at work in places like Japan, Indonesia, and Qatar, where local partners help keep the same warm, movie-inspired experience.

U.S. Locations By Region

Finding a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. in the United States feels a bit like spotting an old movie friend in the middle of a busy trip. You know the story, you know the quotes, and suddenly you feel a little more at home.

When you look at a locations overview, you’ll see 22 U.S. spots, mostly in lively, high traffic areas where people gather, wander, and celebrate.

Regional popularity is strongest in California, with beloved sites in Monterey, Santa Monica, and other coastal favorites. You also find that same welcoming vibe in Times Square in New York City, along Florida’s sunny attractions, and in busy Texas entertainment districts.

Each region gives you the same familiar comfort, just wrapped in its own local energy.

International Restaurants Around The World

Ever contemplate what it feels like to step into the world of Forrest Gump while you’re thousands of miles from home?

Whenever you visit a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. abroad, you don’t just grab a meal, you step into a familiar story that follows you across borders.

Out of 38 restaurants worldwide, 16 sit in international spots like Japan, Mexico, Indonesia, Qatar, China, and Canada.

Each one blends local cultural cuisine with the movie’s charm, so your dining experience feels both comforting and new.

You may notice the same movie quotes, the same playful decor, yet different views of city skylines or waterfronts.

Wherever you go, the space invites you to relax, laugh, and feel like you belong at that table.

From One Monterey Eatery To 40+ Sites

One small seafood establishment on Cannery Row in Monterey, California, quietly opened its doors in 1996, and that single restaurant grew into more than 40 Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. locations around the world.

Whenever you step into that Bubba Gump history, you’re joining a story that started with one cozy spot near the water and slowly stretched across the map.

You see this restaurant expansion most clearly in its second location in San Francisco. Its strong sales and loyal guests proved the idea worked, so more sites followed.

Each new restaurant usually lands where people gather close to waterfronts, busy streets, and tourist areas.

How Landry’s Acquisition Fueled Expansion

Although the Bubba Gump story started small, everything shifted in a big way as soon as Landry’s, Inc. stepped in and bought the brand in November 2010.

After that, you weren’t just visiting a movie themed seafood spot. You were stepping into a growing family that finally had the backing to stretch worldwide.

Landry’s brought cash, experience, and a clear plan so the chain could grow without losing its heart.

Here’s how that move fueled expansion and made your visits feel more special:

1. More capital for smart growth and real operational improvements
2. Stronger marketing strategies that kept the playful brand voice you already loved
3. Better site selection in high traffic and waterfront areas
4. A wider menu that welcomed different tastes and diets
5. A deeper, more consistent dining experience across 40+ locations worldwide

Why Tourist Hotspots Love Bubba Gump

As you step into a tourist hotspot, you usually want more than just food, and that’s exactly where Bubba Gump pulls you in with its movie-themed charm.

You feel part of Forrest Gump’s world, while the restaurant smartly sits in high-traffic spots like piers, busy streets, and famous city centers that you’re already keen to investigate.

As you notice how the movie magic mixes with these busy locations, you start to see why so many tourist areas welcome Bubba Gump so enthusiastically.

Movie-Themed Dining Appeal

Step into a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., and it quickly feels less like a normal restaurant and more like walking onto the set of “Forrest Gump.”

The tables, walls, and even the little signs on your table all pull you into the story, which is exactly why these places fit so perfectly in busy tourist spots like Times Square or the Santa Monica Pier.

That movie nostalgia makes you feel part of something familiar and shared.

You’re not just eating. You’re joining a scene. The whole dining experience turns into a group memory.

Here’s how it pulls you in:

1. You read menus with Jenny’s Catch and Lt. Dan’s Drunken Shrimp.
2. You flip playful “Stop/Run, Forrest, Run” signs.
3. You laugh with your table over Forrest Gump trivia.

High-Traffic Destination Strategy

Because Bubba Gump lives and breathes on crowds, the brand almost always plants itself right where people already are in a great mood and ready to spend time: high-traffic tourist spots.

You see it on the Santa Monica Pier, in Times Square, at Universal CityWalk in Beijing, and even in Hong Kong.

You feel it the moment you step in. The heavy foot traffic outside turns into shared energy inside, where travelers and families relax together after big days of sightseeing.

Movie memorabilia, trivia at the table, and playful servers turn a simple meal into a full tourist experience.

You’re not just grabbing shrimp. You’re joining a familiar place in the middle of an unfamiliar city, which makes you feel at home.

Comparing Bubba Gump To Other Seafood Chains

Although Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. feels huge in pop culture, it actually plays in a much smaller league than other big seafood chains you might know.

With under 40 locations, it sits far behind Red Lobster’s 500-plus restaurants and Long John Silver’s nearly 400 spots.

You still feel part of something special though, because Bubba Gump branding leans into that movie connection and a fun seafood niche built around shrimp and Southern comfort flavors.

Here’s how it stacks up so you can see where you fit in the seafood crowd:

1. Size: Bubba Gump feels intimate, while others feel everywhere.
2. Menu: You get shrimp-focused dishes instead of a huge generic menu.
3. Experience: You join a themed, memory-filled visit, not just another dinner.

Notable Closures And Relocations

Even while a restaurant feels fun and familiar, its story often includes some hard turns, and Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is no different.

Whenever a location closes, like the Navy Pier restaurant in Chicago in 2020, one may feel like a favorite hangout just vanished. Those closure impacts can feel personal, especially when one celebrated birthdays or gathered there with friends.

At the same time, the brand keeps shifting and adapting.

After Landry’s acquired Bubba Gump, it moved the headquarters from Hollywood to Houston. You can feel those relocation effects in how the company focuses on growth in new places, including Hong Kong and Universal CityWalk in Beijing.

Forrest Gump-Themed Experiences That Drive Visits

As you visit a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. location, you don’t just eat, you step into the world of Forrest Gump in a way that feels playful and personal.

You answer movie trivia at your table, look around at walls filled with props and memorabilia, and quickly notice how the whole space feels like a vibrant scrapbook of the film.

As you investigate the themed decor, read the clever menu names, and see how everything connects back to the story, you start to feel like you’re part of Forrest’s adventure too.

Interactive Movie Trivia

How does it feel to walk into a restaurant and instantly step into one of your favorite movies? At Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., you don’t just eat, you join a story.

The staff invites you into interactive engagement with Forrest Gump themed questions that spark laughs and memories at your table.

You’re not just a guest. You’re part of the game. While you enjoy shrimp and fries, you look around and hear other tables guessing quotes and scenes too. It feels like one big fan club.

Here’s how the trivia pulls you in:

1. Quick table quizzes about quotes and characters
2. Friendly challenges between families and friends
3. Lively trivia nights that turn dinner into shared celebration

Themed Decor and Memorabilia

Instead of feeling like a normal seafood place, each Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant wraps you in the world of Forrest Gump the moment you walk in. You don’t just see tables and chairs. You see license plates, bench-style seating, and walls filled with quotes and props that feel familiar and safe, like visiting an old friend.

As you look around, the themed atmosphere invites you to slow down and smile. Movie photos, signs, and quirky details pull you into a nostalgic experience where you recollect scenes, lines, and feelings. You’re not just a customer. You’re part of the story.

Even simple moments, like flipping the “Stop, Forrest, Stop” sign to signal your server, make you feel included and connected.

Signature Shrimp-Centric Menu

You’ve already seen how the walls, signs, and movie props pull you into Forrest’s world, but the real heart of Bubba Gump lives on the menu that lands in your hands.

Here, you feel like part of the story, not just a guest.

You open it and find shrimp everywhere. The signature dishes carry names you know, like Jenny’s Catch and Forrest’s Seafood Feast, and they’re packed with unique flavors that feel both fun and familiar.

You may be drawn to:

1. Sautéed shrimp tossed in bright garlic butter.
2. Crispy fried shrimp that taste like classic comfort food.
3. Sweet coconut shrimp that feels like vacation.

Around these, you’ll see ribs, burgers, and trivia games at your table, all tying your meal back to the film you love.

What The Numbers Say About Customer Reception

While numbers can feel cold on a page, they actually tell a very warm and complicated story about how people feel at the moment they walk into a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. restaurant. At the time you look at customer feedback, you see people who want more than food. You see guests searching for a fun, safe place to belong and relax.

Across 38 locations, the average Yelp score of 3 out of 5 shows that your dining experience can feel very different from city to city. Critic sites like TastingTable question quality, yet visitors on TripAdvisor rate the NYC spot at 4.2, proving some teams really connect.

Future Growth Prospects For The Brand

Even as some reviews feel mixed, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. still sits in a strong place to grow because it has something many brands would love to borrow: instant recognition and a clear story.

You already know the movie, so walking into the restaurant feels familiar, like joining a group of old friends.

Growth starts with the base of 38 locations, then builds as Landry’s resources support new projects.

You’ll likely see this in:

1. New sites in busy seaside towns and family vacation spots.
2. Deeper customer engagement through trivia, events, and Shrimpossibles.
3. Menu innovation that keeps core shrimp favorites but adds fresh twists.

Each step helps you feel part of a shared, playful world that keeps calling you back.

How To Find Your Nearest Bubba Gump Shrimp Co

Once you’re ready to visit Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., you can start through using the official location finder on their website to spot the closest restaurant.

Then, you can check popular tourist areas, busy city spots, and waterfronts, since many of their 38 locations sit right where the action is.

As soon as you find a place that looks good, you can call ahead to confirm the address, hours, and wait times so your visit feels easy and stress free.

Use the Official Locator

A simple way to start planning your visit to Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. is to use the official restaurant locator on their website. You’ll feel connected right away because you can see every nearby spot, along with fun restaurant features and movie inspired menu items that bring Forrest Gump to life.

Here’s how you can use it:

1. Type your city, state, or zip code into the search box.
2. Scan the list of results to see which location feels easiest and most welcoming for you and your group.
3. Click a location to view hours, contact details, and what makes that spot special.

The locator stays updated with new openings and closures, so you can trust that you’re planning around real, current information.

Check Popular Tourist Areas

Curious where you’re most likely to spot a Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. on your next trip? Start with looking right where the tourist traffic is strongest. The brand’s location strategy focuses on busy, memory-making spots, so you’re often close without realizing it.

If you’re near the ocean, check the main pier or waterfront. Places like Monterey, Santa Monica Pier, and Long Beach all host Bubba Gump, and similar seaside areas often do too.

In big cities, look for major icons. Times Square in New York City and entertainment hubs like Universal CityWalk in Beijing are perfect examples.

As you investigate, notice where families gather, take photos, and slow down to enjoy the view. That’s often where Bubba Gump quietly fits in.

Call Ahead to Confirm

Ever feel unsure whether the restaurant you’re heading to is actually open, or whether it even still exists there? You’re not alone.

With over 40 Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. locations, hours and menus can shift, and that can throw off your plans with friends or family.

Calling ahead helps you feel prepared and included in the fun. Use the website’s location finder, then reach out to that specific spot.

At the moment you call, you can:

1. Confirm today’s hours and holiday changes
2. Ask about current menu selections or limited items
3. Check for wait times and reservation options
4. Learn about special events or promotions
5. Share or hear recent customer feedback
6. Verify parking or group accommodations
7. Ask about recent location updates or renovations

This quick step keeps your visit smooth and stress free.