Dreams Do Not Expire
From Dreams to Billion-Dollar Empires
[ My founding story ]
From parking cars at age 16 to building a 4 billion dollar restaurant empire. From struggling to make ends meet to winning five United States Open Polo Championships before age 50.
The journey was not typical. While other kids played sports, I sold newspapers and parked cars at the Mai Kai restaurant, learning that success requires hustle, not handouts.
The breakthrough was a simple idea: offer high-quality steaks in a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere at a fair price. With signature creations like the iconic Bloomin' Onion, Outback Steakhouse distinguished itself, redefining casual dining and expanding to over 1,450 locations globally.
Strategic vision extended beyond the dining room. I and the founding team took Outback public in 1991, then made the bold decision to buy it back and return to private ownership. This move gave us the freedom to pursue aggressive expansion, test innovative concepts, and grow the brand without Wall Street quarterly pressures. In 2012, we took the company public once more as Bloomin' Brands, stronger, more diverse, and positioned for sustained global growth.
The entrepreneurial drive continued beyond Outback. As co-founder of Bloomin' Brands, I helped build one of the largest casual dining companies in the world, home to beloved brands like Carrabba's Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse.
I later co-founded Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen with my son Chris, creating a fast-casual concept built around fresh, customizable bowls now expanding across the country. I also launched the South Florida franchise group for PDQ, bringing quality chicken and family-friendly dining to communities throughout the region.
Though I had pursued many dreams, my journey was far from over. Following the success of Outback, I returned to polo at 42, a sport I first embraced at 16. With the means to own horses and truly compete, I captured my first U.S. Open title at 45. In the years that followed, I secured five titles before turning 50 and ultimately reached the pinnacle of the sport as the world's top-ranked polo player.
Now I share these lessons with entrepreneurs who refuse to accept limitations, showing them how one strategic shift can multiply their results exponentially.
The Restaurant Empire
From Outback to a portfolio of iconic American dining brands
Outback Steakhouse
The flagship brand that started it all. Co-founded in 1988, Outback revolutionized casual dining with bold flavors, the iconic Bloomin' Onion, and Aussie-inspired hospitality — growing to over 1,450 locations worldwide.
Carrabba's Italian Grill
Part of the Bloomin' Brands family I helped build, Carrabba's blends Italian tradition with warm hospitality and fresh, made-from-scratch dishes.
Bonefish Grill
Another Bloomin' Brands success, Bonefish Grill brings a chef-driven, seafood-focused dining experience to guests across the United States.
Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar
A premier steakhouse concept within Bloomin' Brands known for fine dining, exceptional service, and one of the industry's top wine programs.
Bolay Fresh Bold Kitchen
Co-founded with my son Chris, Bolay is a fast-casual concept built around fresh, customizable superfood bowls — rapidly expanding across Florida and beyond.
PDQ (People Dedicated to Quality)
I launched the South Florida franchise group of PDQ, a fast-casual brand focused on quality chicken, fresh ingredients, and family-friendly hospitality.
I teach six core principles to help you own your success and life.
Strategic Innovation
Discover the breakthrough ideas hiding in plain sight. Learn how simple innovations can disrupt entire industries and create billion-dollar opportunities.
Reinvention Mastery
Transform yourself at any age. Master the art of personal and business reinvention to unlock new levels of success when others think it is too late.
Systems Thinking
Build scalable business systems that work without you. Create operations that multiply your impact while giving you freedom to pursue new challenges.
Leadership Excellence
Lead with vision and authenticity. Develop the leadership skills that inspire teams to achieve extraordinary results and build lasting legacies.
Wealth Building
Create sustainable wealth through strategic thinking. Learn the mindset shifts and business strategies that turn ideas into fortunes.
Living Without Limits
Break through mental barriers and societal expectations. Discover how to pursue ambitious goals at any stage of life and achieve the impossible.
Speaking to those who dare to dream bigger
Tim shares his transformational insights
with audiences
who refuse to accept limitations
High-Value Conferences
Inspire entrepreneurs and business leaders at premier events with Tim's billion-dollar insights and championship mindset.
Restaurant Conferences
Share the inside story of revolutionizing casual dining and building Outback Steakhouse into a 4 billion dollar empire.
Franchise Conferences
Teach franchise operators and investors the strategic thinking that scaled 1,450 plus locations worldwide.
Executive Retreats
Transform leadership teams with intimate sessions on strategic reinvention and breakthrough thinking for sustained growth.
What Industry Leaders Say
"Please welcome my friend, my buddy, Mr. Tim Gannon."
"Tim's story is proof that dreams truly don't have expiration dates. His journey from parking cars to polo champion is absolutely inspiring."
"The strategic insights Tim shared transformed how we think about scaling our business. Pure gold."
"Tim's presentation was the highlight of our conference. Our audience is still talking about his reinvention principles."