Bonefish Grill is a group of restaurants whose menu primarily comprises market-fresh fish and other wood-grilled fish. This casual dining seafood restaurant chain is owned and operated by Bloomin’ Brands, with its headquarters in Tampa, Florida.

Bonefish Grill has been in the restaurant business for more than two decades. Let’s look at the company’s history, management, menu, and trademarks.

Bonefish Grill Company History and Management

Bonefish Grill was founded on January 15, 2000, by Tim Curci and Chris Parker. The duo started the restaurant business in St. Petersburg, Florida.

Tim Curci and Chris Parker both had an undying love for fish, adventure, and a unique dining experience. Their goal was to create a fish dining experience that would convert non-enthusiasts into fans. Bonefish Grill thus served a menu of experimental, tantalizing fish dishes that would fulfill curiosities while providing further mystery surrounding the flavors and the dishes.

To achieve a high level of quality, Tim and Chris contracted top, committed fish purveyors to supply their restaurant. They ensured they’d also hired a highly skilled fish purveyor who would hunt for unique species worldwide.

In their first year of business, Bonefish Grill performed exemplary well that it caught the attention of Bloomin’ Brands, a large corporation behind several other successful restaurant chains.

On October 5, 2001, Bloomin’ Brands acquired Bonefish Grill. At that time, the company had three locations. Five years later, in 2006, Bonefish Grill had rapidly expanded to cover 100 sites in the U.S.A.

Bonefish Grill has enjoyed most of its success under the umbrella of Bloomin’ Brands. The restaurant holding company was founded in 1988 in Tampa, Florida, where it’s still headquartered. It was started as Multi-Venture Partners, Inc. by Tim Gannon, Bob Basham, and Chris Sullivan.

In 1988, the company opened the first Outback Steak House in Tampa, Florida. In 1991, the business went public as Outback Steakhouse Inc., with 49 restaurants in its chain.

The company started expanding internationally in Canada, with revenues exceeding $1 billion for the first time.

The company rebranded to OSI Restaurant Partners, LLC, from Outback Steak House, Inc. when it owned Cheeseburger in Paradise, Paul Lee’s Chinese Kitchen, Lee Roy Selmon’s, Roy’s, Zazarac, Fleming’s, Carraba’s, and Bonefish Grill.

Bonefish Grill’s success under Bloomin’ Brands has been so great that as of January 2022, the company had franchised five Bonefish Grill restaurants, with 183 others being corporate-owned and operated by Bonefish Grill across 28 states.

One of the ingredients in the company’s success recipe is the partner’s commitment to the original demands for quality from the restaurant’s founders. Bonefish Grill still receives, inspects, and hand cuts fish daily before serving it in its unique menu offerings.

The founders’ passion for fish did not start with the idea of birthing Bonefish Grill. Tim Curci is a graduate of the Culinary Institute of America, New York. He has over 20 years of experience in the culinary industry, having apprenticed with many globally-acclaimed chefs.

Before co-founding Bonefish Grill, Tim served as the Senior Vice-President of Operations for Hops Restaurant Bar & Brewery. That business was a proprietary concept by the national restaurant group Avado Brands.

He was one of the original partners in 1989. And under his guidance, he created Hop’s menu and helped develop the concept’s overall operational systems covering 60 restaurants in 10 states.

Tim oversaw ten years of success for the business, with Nation’s Restaurant News naming Hops one of its 1997 “Hot Concepts.”

Chris Parker also came with vast restaurant industry experience. He’s a veteran, having spent 19 years in the business, most notably as the Vice-President of Operations for Hops Restaurant Bar & Brewery before co-founding Bonefish Grill.

Chris Parker brought his entrepreneurial spirit, commitment, and work ethic to the Bonefish Grill culture, thriving on his passion for restaurant operations that formed the foundation for Bonefish Grill’s rapid growth and success.

Chris and Tim gave their partnership their vision for Bonefish Grill plus experience that has kept the business running strong for over two decades.

John Cooper became the company’s president after Bonefish Grill was acquired. He previously served with Outback Steak House Inc. (OSI) and has been instrumental in taking Tim and Chris’s vision and growing Bonefish Grill across the U.S.A.

Bonefish Grill Trademarks

Bonefish Grill has sought or obtained a federal registration for over 15 trademarks. These include “ICICLE APHRODISIAC,” “BONEFISH MARTINI,” “WE GET FISH. YOU GET FRESH,” and “HOOKED ON TUESDAY.”

Bonefish Grill obtained federal trademark registration for “ICICLE APHRODISIAC” on August 31, 2004, and uses the trademark for its prepared alcoholic cocktails.

In September 2004, Bonefish Grill also obtained federal trademark registration for “BONEFISH MARTINI.” The restaurant company also uses the trademark for its prepared alcoholic cocktails.

Bonefish Grill also obtained a federal trademark registration for “WE GET FISH. YOU GET FRESH” on August 15, 2006. The company uses the trademark for its restaurant, bar, and carry-out food services.