Who Owns Bonefish Grill?
Bonefish Grill is owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc., a publicly traded American casual dining restaurant company (NASDAQ: BLMN) headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Bonefish Grill was founded in 2000 and acquired by Bloomin' Brands in 2001. The chain operates approximately 200 locations in the United States and is known for its fresh seafood and wood-grilled preparations. Bloomin' Brands also operates Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse.
Parent Company
Bloomin' Brands Inc.
Acquired
2001
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Tampa, Florida, USA
Who Owns Bonefish Grill?
- Parent Company: Bloomin' Brands Inc.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2001
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: BLMN
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Bonefish Grill | Bloomin' Brands Inc. | Wholly owned |
History of Bonefish Grill
- Founded: 2000
- Founders: Bonefish Grill Inc.
- Acquired by Bloomin' Brands Inc.: 2001
Bonefish Grill was founded in 2000 as a casual seafood and grill concept focused on fresh fish and wood-grilled preparations. The brand developed a reputation for offering high-quality seafood in a casual, upscale atmosphere that appealed to customers seeking quality seafood dining experiences. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for casual seafood dining that could combine quality ingredients with accessible pricing and comfortable atmosphere, creating a new category in the casual dining segment.
The brand expanded throughout the early 2000s, establishing itself as a significant player in the casual seafood dining segment. In 2001, Bloomin' Brands acquired Bonefish Grill, adding it to its growing portfolio of casual dining concepts. This acquisition marked Bloomin' Brands' strategic expansion into the casual seafood segment. This early acquisition demonstrated Bloomin' Brands' recognition of Bonefish Grill's market potential and the growing importance of seafood in the casual dining landscape.
Under Bloomin' Brands ownership, Bonefish Grill has continued to innovate with menu offerings while maintaining its focus on fresh seafood and wood-grilled preparations. The brand has expanded both domestically and internationally, becoming a leader in the casual seafood dining segment. Today, Bonefish Grill operates over 200 locations globally and serves millions of customers annually. This sustained growth under Bloomin' Brands ownership demonstrates Bonefish Grill's ability to maintain its brand identity and quality standards while leveraging the resources and expertise of a larger restaurant organization to expand its market reach and operational capabilities.
About Bloomin' Brands Inc.
What does Bloomin' Brands own?
Bloomin' Brands owns and operates four restaurant concepts: Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. The company operates over 1,450 restaurants across these brands in 46 states, Guam, and approximately 12 countries, with a mix of company-owned and franchised locations.
Is Bloomin' Brands publicly traded?
Yes, Bloomin' Brands is publicly traded on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol BLMN. The company went public in 2012 and is owned by institutional investors, mutual funds, and individual shareholders with no controlling shareholder or parent company.
Who founded Bloomin' Brands?
Bloomin' Brands was founded by Chris Sullivan, Bob Basham, Tim Gannon, and Trudy Cooper, who opened the first Outback Steakhouse in Tampa, Florida in 1988. The founders built the company through organic growth and strategic acquisitions before taking it public in 2012.
Where is Bloomin' Brands headquartered?
Bloomin' Brands is headquartered in Tampa, Florida, where the company maintains its corporate offices and executive leadership. The Tampa headquarters houses central functions including finance, legal, supply chain, and brand management supporting the global restaurant network.
What is Bloomin' Brands' turnaround strategy?
In November 2025, Bloomin' Brands announced a comprehensive turnaround strategy focusing on operational improvements, menu simplification, and strategic investments in core brands, particularly Outback Steakhouse. The strategy includes reallocating free cash flow to business investments and debt reduction, leading to the suspension of the dividend.
How many restaurants does Bloomin' Brands operate?
Bloomin' Brands operates over 1,450 restaurants across its four brands in 46 states, Guam, and approximately 12 countries. The majority of locations are company-operated, with a smaller number of franchised restaurants in various markets.
What is Bloomin' Brands' revenue?
For Q3 2025, Bloomin' Brands reported total revenues of $928.8 million, up 2.1% year over year, with adjusted diluted loss per share of $0.03, better than analyst expectations. The company's revenue model benefits from the diversified brand portfolio, which provides exposure to different casual dining segments and consumer preferences.
- Founded: 1988
- Headquarters: Tampa, Florida, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: BLMN
- Revenue: Approximately $4.0 billion (FY2025 estimated)
- Employees: Approximately 90,000
Where Is Bonefish Grill Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Tampa, Florida, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Canada
Bonefish Grill Sustainability & Ethics
Bonefish Grill demonstrates strong commitment to environmental sustainability and ethical practices through seafood sourcing initiatives, marine conservation partnerships, and responsible business operations within Bloomin' Brands' broader sustainability framework.
Sustainable Seafood Sourcing: Bonefish Grill partners with industry organizations to improve traceability and transparency in seafood sourcing. The company requires all seafood suppliers to meet strong food safety, quality, and sourcing standards. As science and best practices evolve, Bonefish Grill continues to strengthen its approach to sustainable seafood, responding to growing consumer demand for wild-caught, sustainably sourced seafood options.
Environmental Conservation Partnerships: Bonefish Grill has established significant partnerships with environmental organizations, including The Nature Conservancy to help restore coral reefs through the Plant a Million Corals Initiative. The company recognizes that coral reefs are among the most threatened marine systems, with scientists estimating potential loss of up to 70% of coral reefs by 2050 without immediate action.
Marine Protection Initiatives: Bonefish Grill partners with the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust to promote conservation of saltwater fisheries, reflecting the brand's commitment to protecting the marine environments that provide the seafood featured in their restaurants. This partnership supports sustainable fishing practices and marine ecosystem preservation.
Responsible Supply Chain: The company emphasizes market-fresh fish from around the world, hand-cut in-house daily, ensuring quality while supporting responsible fishing practices. Bonefish Grill's focus on fresh ingredients extends to locally-created, seasonal Partner Selection dishes featuring the highest-quality and freshest ingredients from sustainable sources.
Community Engagement: Through its conservation partnerships and local sourcing initiatives, Bonefish Grill engages with communities to promote environmental awareness and sustainable practices. The company's name reflects its founders' love for catching, cooking, and serving fresh fish, connecting the brand to marine conservation efforts.
Corporate Sustainability Integration: As part of Bloomin' Brands, Bonefish Grill contributes to the parent company's sustainability initiatives and workplace recognition, including being named to Newsweek's "Greatest Workplaces for Diversity" and Forbes "Best Employers for Women" lists.
Awards & Recognition
Bonefish Grill has achieved recognition for its seafood quality, sustainable sourcing practices, and position within Bloomin' Brands' successful casual dining portfolio, establishing itself as a premium seafood dining destination.
Sustainable Seafood Leadership: Bonefish Grill has been recognized for its leadership in sustainable seafood sourcing and environmental conservation partnerships. The company's collaboration with The Nature Conservancy and the Bonefish & Tarpon Trust demonstrates industry leadership in marine conservation and responsible seafood practices.
Quality and Freshness Recognition: The brand has received acclaim for its market-fresh fish approach, with fish hand-cut in-house daily and wood-grilled specialties that highlight ingredient quality. Restaurant industry publications have recognized Bonefish Grill for elevating the casual dining seafood experience through fresh preparation methods.
Menu Innovation Awards: Bonefish Grill's menu items that tell stories about sourcing and flavor evolution have been recognized for meeting consumer demand for transparency and authentic dining experiences. The brand's ability to connect menu items to conservation stories and sourcing practices has been acknowledged as innovative in the casual dining sector.
Bloomin' Brands Portfolio Success: Within Bloomin' Brands' portfolio of casual dining concepts, Bonefish Grill has been recognized as a strong performer contributing to the company's position as one of the world's largest casual dining companies with approximately 64,000 team members and more than 1,450 restaurants worldwide.
Workplace Recognition: As part of Bloomin' Brands, Bonefish Grill contributes to the company's recognition as an employer of choice, including being named to Newsweek's "Greatest Workplaces for Diversity" and Forbes "Best Employers for Women" lists, reflecting the brand's commitment to inclusive workplace practices.
Industry Position: Bonefish Grill maintains approximately 200 locations globally and has been recognized for its successful expansion and consistent performance in the competitive casual dining market, particularly in the seafood restaurant segment.
Bonefish Grill Recalls & Controversies
Bonefish Grill has faced some operational challenges and customer complaints, though no major recalls or widespread controversies have been reported. The brand has also been affected by broader industry challenges facing casual dining restaurants.
Food Safety Incidents: Individual customer reports of food poisoning have been documented, including cases where customers experienced extreme nausea, chills, and other symptoms after consuming meals at Bonefish Grill locations. These incidents appear to be isolated rather than widespread, but they highlight the ongoing challenges of food safety in the restaurant industry.
Health Department Inspections: Florida Health Department inspections have been conducted at Bonefish Grill locations, with the most recent inspection reported in September 2024. While routine inspections are standard for restaurant operations, any violations or concerns would impact the brand's food safety reputation.
Restaurant Closures: Bonefish Grill has been affected by Bloomin' Brands' strategic restaurant closures, with dozens of locations being shuttered as part of the parent company's turnaround strategy. Closed restaurants include locations in Newington and South Windsor, Connecticut, and Middletown, New Jersey, reflecting broader challenges in the casual dining sector.
Revenue Performance Challenges: In Q3 2024, Bonefish Grill and Outback Steakhouse posted lower revenue as U.S. restaurant industry challenges continued. These performance difficulties reflect broader industry trends rather than brand-specific issues, but they impact Bonefish Grill's operational stability and growth prospects.
Industry-Wide Challenges: The casual dining sector has faced significant headwinds including changing consumer preferences, increased competition, and economic pressures affecting dining out frequency. Bonefish Grill, as part of this sector, has faced these industry-wide challenges that have led to strategic adjustments and restaurant closures across the casual dining industry.
No Major Systemic Issues: Despite these challenges, Bonefish Grill has not experienced major systemic recalls, widespread food safety outbreaks, or significant legal controversies that would threaten the brand's fundamental operations or reputation.
Brands Owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
- Carrabba's Italian Grill - American casual dining Italian restaurant chain, owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc....
- Fleming's Prime Steakhouse - American fine dining steakhouse chain specializing in premium steaks and upscale...
- Outback Steakhouse - American casual dining steakhouse chain with Australian theme, owned by Bloomin'...
Bonefish Grill Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Global casual dining network providing extensive market reach
- +Strong brand recognition in the casual seafood segment
- +Operational support and resources from Bloomin' Brands' shared services
- +Established supply chain and purchasing power for seafood sourcing
- +Continuous innovation in menu development
- +Significant scale in casual seafood dining segment
Considerations
- -Franchise model creates variability in restaurant quality and service
- -Intense competition in the casual dining and seafood industry
- -Dependence on Bloomin' Brands' strategic decisions and resource allocation
- -Seafood sourcing and sustainability concerns
- -Market saturation in some regions affecting growth potential
- -Changing consumer preferences toward healthier dining options
Frequently Asked Questions About Bonefish Grill
Sources & Further Reading
- Bonefish Grill Official Website
- Bloomin' Brands Corporate Website
- Bonefish Grill Sustainability Partnerships
- Bonefish & Tarpon Trust Partnership
- Restaurant Business Online Coverage
- SeafoodSource Industry News
- I Was Poisoned Reports
- Coral Springs Business Guide Review
- Statista Restaurant Data
- Bonefish Grill Wikipedia Entry
Competitors to Bonefish Grill
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spur Corporation | South Africa | 1987 | Mass market | Global | All-ages | |
| Famous Brands | South Africa | 1991 | Mass market | Regional | All-ages | |
| Hooters Of America | USA | 1983 | Mass market | Global | All-ages | |
| Famous Brands | South Africa | 1992 | Mass market | South africa | All-ages | |
| Darden Restaurants | USA | 1982 | Mass market | United states | All-ages | |
| Bloomin Brands | USA | 1988 | Mass market | Global | All-ages |
Learn More About Competitors

John Dory's
Owned by Spur Corporation Limited
South African seafood casual dining restaurant chain, owned by Spur Corporation Limited.

Debonairs Pizza
Owned by Famous Brands Limited
South African pizza casual dining restaurant chain, owned by Famous Brands Limited.

Hooters
Owned by Hooters of America, LLC
American casual dining restaurant chain known for its seafood and American cuisine, featuring a distinctive brand identity.

Mugg & Bean
Owned by Famous Brands Limited
South African coffee shop and casual dining restaurant chain, owned by Famous Brands Limited.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Owned by Unknown Company
American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine, owned by Darden Restaurants Inc.

The Aussie Bar + Grill
Owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
Australian casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Australian cuisine and beer offerings, owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Bonefish Grill competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Bloomin' Brands Inc. Stock Information
Jobs at Bloomin' Brands Inc.
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