Bloomin’
Adventures
The Partners, the Risks, and the Recipe Behind Outback Steakhouse
About the book
At nine years old, Tim Gannon was already working, delivering newspapers before sunrise to help his family make ends meet.
Most people would have let that be the story. Tim let it be the foundation.
He went on to co-found Outback Steakhouse, create the Bloomin’ Onion, and help build six restaurant brands across more than 1,400 locations worldwide. He became a five-time U.S. Open Polo Champion and was ranked number one in the world at fifty. He lost what he had built. And then he rebuilt it.
The boy who dug pool ditches in Louisiana did not get here by accident. He got here by refusing, at every stage of his life, to treat a setback as a stopping point. From a French kitchen in Aspen to a New Orleans cafe with Al Copeland; from arriving in Tampa with $37 in his pocket to walking onto the polo field at Palm Beach; from the Bloomin’ Onion to five U.S. Open championships, three of them in a row.
Bloomin’ Adventures is not a business book dressed up as a memoir. It is the real story: raw, unfiltered, and hard-won. The kind of story that reminds you the most important ingredient in any recipe is the person willing to keep cooking.
Written with 13-time New York Times bestselling author Don Yaeger.
Tim Gannon
Don Yaeger
In their own words.
“Most people discover polo later in life, after they have built their careers. Not Tim. He discovered it young and built a business just so he could afford to play. That entrepreneurial spirit and authenticity make him such a remarkable individual, and a dear friend.”
“Tim is far more than a great friend. He stood by my side during one of the most difficult moments of my career, when loyalty meant everything. Together, we shared unforgettable victories and won the most important tournaments in the world. These are memories I will carry with me forever.”
“Tim, from winning the Silver Cup together in Florence to lining up at Tidworth against King Charles, I have seen firsthand the life you have built and the way you have built it. Nothing about it was accidental. You have always had a way of seeing opportunity where others see nothing, finding your 'Velcro' in an onion and turning it into something extraordinary.”
“His legacy is measured not only by the victories he earned, but by the people he lifted along the way. He traveled the world without maps, guided by instinct and a deep belief in people, forming genuine connections everywhere, from the grooms who cared for the horses to the kings of nations.”
“Without Tim's diligence in making sure that Bloomin' Onion became successful, I doubt Outback would have become the huge success it became.”
“Tim Gannon has led a magnificent life. He is a winner in international business, a champion in international polo, a steady and reliable hand on a dive boat, and a hell of a cook — and this is only the beginning.”
“I knew Tim Gannon was a real food connoisseur right from the start. All we talked about was food, food, food. We once jumped on a helicopter to the Florida Keys just to eat fried key lime pie. It doesn't get any better than this. Now, when is our next adventure, Tim?”
“Tim Gannon wanted to play polo. He saw his first match at sixteen, but he could not buy a pony until he was forty. People look at him as the owner of Outback Steakhouse and they go, 'Wow.' But they have no idea. No idea the journey and the stress.”
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Critical Acclaim
A good read filled with great food, spontaneous adventures, and a healthy dose of hard work.
Kirkus Reviews
Recommended
An inspiring tour through Outback Steakhouse co-founder's journey to success.
BookLife
Publishers Weekly
What readers are saying
Brilliant book!
Reading this amazing book and hearing some of the stories that Tim shares are priceless. Highly recommend this book.
From a humble onion to a billion dollar company.
What a brilliant entrepreneur. Highly recommend reading about his story, what started with a humble onion turned to a billion dollar empire.
How to scale hospitality. And learn lessons from the best
Love this. What is your "Velcro" moment in business? Secrets of the hospitality trade and lessons you can implement in any business. Have a business. Read it.
What an amazing character!
I saw Tim Gannon speak yesterday at an event. I cannot wait to read the book! What an amazing character!
Could not put it down
From the moment I began reading it, I haven't been able to put it down. Thank you for sharing your stories and life lessons. Definitely proud to be an Outbacker!
Why certain companies become iconic
Having been part of the Outback Steakhouse family for almost 20 years, I've learned that truly great brands are built on much more than great food. They're built on vision, culture, courage, and people. Some books tell a story. Others explain why certain companies become iconic. This is one of them.
Frequently asked
Is it Blooming Adventures or Bloomin’ Adventures?
The book is Bloomin’ Adventures — the apostrophe is a nod to the Bloomin’ Onion, the appetizer Tim Gannon created in 1988 that has gone on to do more than $1.4 billion in sales at Outback Steakhouse. Many readers search for it as Blooming Adventures, and they land in the same place.