Contracting, manufacturing and shopfitting company PEC is working with Bubba Gump Shrimp Co's European franchisee to transform the former Planet Hollywood in the London Trocadero into the UK's first Forrest Gump themed restaurant.
The £1.85m contract involves clearing, refurbishing and fitting out the 12,000 sq ft first floor restaurant and 1,200 sq ft ground floor shop at the entertainment complex in Piccadilly Circus. PEC is working closely with project manager Paul Brown and the franchisee, Mubarak Al Hassawi Restaurant Development (UK) Ltd, to create a UK compatible specification from the original US concept designs. Work is expected to be completed in April 2014.
PEC chairman Balbir Panesar, said: "The hotly anticipated European arrival of this hugely successful chain is a high profile contract and we are proud to be working closely with the project manager and Mubarak Al Hassawi, to create a destination restaurant that will live up to its international reputation."
Bubba Gump Shrimp Co, which was set up in 1996 and has 33 global outlets, was dreamed up by Viacom, owner of Paramount Pictures — distributor of the 1994 movie. It is named after the film's characters Benjamin Buford "Bubba" Blue and Forrest Gump. The iconic American brand is now owned by restaurants group, Landry.