Wanted: Equity investor for Bubba Gump

SAN CLEMENTE Calif. Bubba Gump Shrimp Co., operator or franchisor here of 24 high-volume casual restaurants, said it has retained a financial advisor to seek an infusion of equity capital for accelerated expansion.

The 10-year-old concern did not say how much of a stake its current private owners might be willing to sell.

The search for an investor will be led by Cowen & Co. LLC, the company said.

Bubba Gump said it would add four domestic namesake restaurants in the United States and two in other nations during 2007. The concept is based on the hit movie, “Forrest Gump.”