Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Rings in Times Square Opening.

Entertainment Editors/Food Writers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Nov. 10, 2003

Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurants, Inc., headquartered in San Clemente, Calif., will open its first New York location on December 12th, 2003 in Times Square at 1501 Broadway, at 44th Street.

"The excitement and vitality of New York's Times Square rings throughout the world," said Scott Barnett, Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. president and CEO. "What better location for our flagship Bubba Gump Shrimp Company than this hub of energy and success!"

This marks the 15th Bubba Gump Shrimp Co. location, with recent openings in Mall of America, Minn.; Daytona Beach, Fla.; Manila, Philippines; Tokyo Dome, Japan; as well as Osaka, Japan. The New York location is a partnership with WDI International, its Japanese franchisee. Bubba Gump's sales reached approximately $70 million in 2002, with each restaurant location having its best year ever, and sales are expected to exceed $80 million this year. Projected sales for 2004 are $100 million.

Housed in New York's historic Paramount Building, the new 12,000 square-foot, two-story location has a 1,500 square-foot retail merchandise venue on its first floor, while the second floor holds a 10,500 square-foot dining area adorned with the company's signature memorabilia. The restaurant will have a seating capacity of 480.

Since 1996, Bubba Gump Shrimp Company Restaurants, Inc. has operated casual restaurants capturing the charm and American spirit that made Paramount Pictures, "Forrest Gump" such a smash hit. The restaurant combines tasty seafood in a casual family atmosphere, just the way Forrest and his "best good friend" Bubba would have done it. The Bubba Gump Shrimp Company is the first restaurant chain based on a motion picture property and has quickly become one of the hottest new concepts in the restaurant industry. It features a mix of authentic "Forrest Gump" movie memorabilia and identical reproductions of script pages, storyboards, costumes, shoes, still photos and scrawled "Gumpisms."

"The success of Bubba Gump can be attributed to staying ahead of the pack with fresh and innovative dishes to our menu," added Barnett. "With a menu that offers something for everyone, even non-seafood eaters, our restaurant appeals to a wide consumer base that enjoys the fun, family atmosphere."

The restaurant offers many signature items such as "Bucket of Boat Trash," comprised of deep fried tender shrimp, lobster and mahi mahi, our Cajun spiced mahi mahi with bourbon sauce and shrimp served over mashed potatoes, and the more traditional Southern Fried Shrimp.

Currently under construction, the Times Square location will be completed by early December. Opening day is scheduled for Friday, December 12th, 2003 with fifty percent of the restaurants proceeds being donated to Baby Buggy, a local New York charity, dedicated to collecting and redistributing infant gear and clothing to families in need (www.babybuggy.org).

Since opening the first restaurant at Monterey's famous Cannery Row in 1996, Bubba Gump has added 14 additional locations including San Francisco's Pier 39; Lahaina, Maui; Chicago's Navy Pier; Breckinridge, Colo.; New Orleans; Miami; Honolulu; Kona, Hawaii; Charleston, S.C.; Daytona Beach, Fla., Manila, Philippines; Tokyo Dome, Japan as well as Osaka, Japan. The restaurant's newest location at the Mall of America in Bloomington, Minn. opened in August 2003. Three additional restaurants are expected to open by summer 2004. For more information about Bubba Gump Shrimp Company visit www.bubbagump.com.

For further information on BUBBA GUMP SHRIMP CO. please contact Randi Friedman at London Misher Public Relations at 212.759.2800 x17 or via email [e-mail].