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| Inducted: |
2009 |
| Region: |
U.S. |
| Industry: |
Hospitality
Food |
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Partners Tim Gannon, Bob Basham and Chris Sullivan founded the popular Outback Steakhouse restaurant chain in 1987 and the first Outback Restaurant opened in Tampa in 1988. Since then, the company has opened 1,479 restaurants, including Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming's, Roy's, LeeRoy Selmon's, Cheeseburger in Paradise, Blue Coral, and Outback International.
Robert D. Basham is vice chairman of Outback Steakhouse. A graduate of the University of Maryland, Bob started out in a family-run restaurant business and, in 1973, joined the management program of the Steak & Ale Restaurant Company. He ultimately became vice president of operations of the Bennigan's Concept and was instrumental in its successful nationwide expansion.
In 1983, Basham and Chris Sullivan established Sunstate Restaurant Corporation to develop the Chili's Concept as a franchisee and joint venture partner in Georgia and Florida. The company merged with Chili's, Inc. in 1987, and Bob continued in his operations position until departing to cofound Outback Steakhouse.
Basham also sets aside time to help in the community, serving as a Junior Achievement honorary chairman and a board member for Metropolitan Ministries, the Boys and Girls Club Foundation, Berkeley Preparatory School, the Chi-Chi Rodriguez Foundation, and McDonald's Training Center. |
