Bass Pro Pyramid

Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid to open first-of-its-kind Wahlburgers Wild restaurant

MEMPHIS, Tennessee (August 25, 2020) – Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid, one of the most dynamic and immersive retail destinations in the world, will become home to a new Wahlburgers restaurant concept, unique to Bass Pro Shops.

The new concept, called “Wahlburgers Wild,” will be the first of its kind from the incredibly popular Wahlburgers chain of restaurants, with locations in 20 states, Canada and Germany. The first Wahlburgers opened in 2011 in Hingham, Massachusetts, sparking a cult following with its signature burgers, side dishes and shakes. It was the subject of a successful reality series on A&E, running for 10 seasons and giving viewers a look at the inner workings of the beginning and growth of the restaurant and the Wahlberg family, including brothers Mark, Donnie, and Paul Wahlberg, the head chef for the Wahlburgers locations.

Wahlburgers Wild will mark several firsts for the restaurant chain including being the brand’s first location in Tennessee, first location inside any Bass Pro Shops, and first to offer signature wild game menu items from Chef Paul Wahlberg. Wahlburgers Wild will feature these signature menu offerings in its outdoor-themed experience befitting Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid.

“As one of the most dynamic and exciting shopping destinations anywhere, Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid strives to offer our customers and guests with an incredible experience, and Wahlburgers Wild will certainly carry on that tradition,” said Johnny Morris, noted conservationist and founder of Bass Pro Shops. “We are very grateful to Mark and the entire Wahlberg family for their friendship, support and enthusiasm in bringing the first Wahlburgers Wild to Bass Pro Shops.”

A friendship grounded in shared values

This partnership expands on a long and cherished friendship between noted conservationist and Bass Pro Shops founder Johnny Morris, and superstar Mark Wahlberg, who have repeatedly teamed up to make a positive difference for causes ranging from advancing conservation, honoring military veterans and supporting disaster relief efforts.

Mark Wahlberg SCUBA dives in front of conservation leaders at the grand opening of Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium

In 2017, Wahlberg amazed onlookers and generated worldwide attention for conservation when he donned a wetsuit and took a dive inside a two story-tall saltwater aquarium at the grand opening of Johnny Morris’ Wonders of Wildlife National Museum and Aquarium in Springfield, Missouri. The not-for-profit aquarium is a gift from Morris to future generations and a tribute to the conservation contributions of hunters and anglers. Former U.S. Presidents Jimmy Carter and George W. Bush joined Wahlberg and hundreds of the nation’s leading conservationists for the star-studded grand opening tribute to conservation.

Johnny Morris (left) with golf legend Gary Player (center) and Mark Wahlberg at the
Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf event, which raised millions to honor U.S. military veterans

Wahlberg again visited Missouri’s Ozark Mountains to participate in the Bass Pro Shops Legends of Golf at Big Cedar Lodge in 2018 and 2019. The events, which raised millions of dollars honoring military veterans and their families, drew overflow crowds for Celebrity Shootouts – in 2019, Wahlberg and golf legend Gary Player paired off against actor-recording artist Justin Timberlake and social media influencer Paige Spiranac. Other golf legends and celebrities included Jack Nicklaus, Lee Trevino, Ben Crenshaw, Johnny Miller, Kid Rock, Larry the Cable Guy and Willie Robertson.

Months later, Mark helped Johnny launch Anglers for the Bahamas, a campaign that raised millions of dollars for relief efforts in the wake of Hurricane Dorian’s devastation in the Bahamas.

“On behalf of our entire family, I couldn’t be more excited or proud to partner with our friend Johnny Morris to bring this exciting new Wahlburgers concept to life,” said Mark Wahlberg. “Wahlburgers Wild will offer everything fans love about our restaurants combined with the signature fun and adventure Johnny and Bass Pro Shops offers their guests every day.”

Wahlburgers Wild will occupy the space adjacent to Uncle Buck’s Fishbowl, and guests will be able to order food and beverages while enjoying the 13-lane ocean-themed bowling alley. The menu will also be available as a room service option for guests staying at Big Cypress Lodge, as well as for catering events. Construction is slated to begin soon, with a grand opening date to be set as construction progresses.

Plans to further enhance food and beverage offerings throughout the Pyramid also are in the works as part of a new partnership with Captive Group, a leader in the premier hospitality, dining and entertainment fields, including future enhancements to The Lookout and new Mississippi Terrace.

Another layer to the unmatched experience of Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid

Wahlburgers Wild represents the latest chapter of development at one of the most unique retail experiences anywhere in the world. Envisioned by Morris, who has been referred to as the Walt Disney of the outdoors, Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid is located inside a massive transformed sports arena on the banks of the Mississippi River in Memphis, Tennessee. In addition to a vast assortment of outdoor gear, the Pyramid includes an “underwater” bowling alley, a wilderness hotel called Big Cypress Lodge, nearly 600,000 gallons of water features, a cypress swamp with 100-foot-tall trees, the interactive Ducks Unlimited Waterfowling Heritage Center, and a breathtaking glass-floored cantilevering observation deck at the top of the 32-story steel structure that offers one-of-a-kind views of downtown Memphis and the Mississippi River.

Click here for photos and b-roll.

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About Bass Pro Shops

Bass Pro Shops is North America’s premier outdoor and conservation company. Founded in 1972 when avid young angler Johnny Morris began selling tackle out of his father’s liquor store in Springfield, Missouri, today the company provides customers with unmatched offerings spanning premier destination retail, outdoor equipment manufacturing, world-class resort destinations and more. In 2017 Bass Pro Shops acquired Cabela’s to create a “best-of-the-best” experience with superior products, dynamic locations and outstanding customer service. Bass Pro Shops also operates White River Marine Group, offering an unsurpassed collection of industry-leading boat brands, and Big Cedar Lodge, America’s Premier Wilderness Resort. Under the visionary conservation leadership of Johnny Morris, Bass Pro Shops is a national leader in protecting habitat and introducing families to the outdoors and has been named by Forbes as “one of America’s Best Employers.”

About Wahlburgers

Wahlburgers is a casual dining restaurant & bar founded by brothers Mark, Donnie and Chef Paul Wahlberg, which wrapped 10 successful seasons of A&E Network’s Emmy-nominated reality show last summer.  While its interior decor is filled with photos and memories celebrating the brothers’ life journeys from Dorchester neighborhood kids to rising chef and international superstars, Wahlburgers makes food, beverages and its guests the real stars. With menu items like delicious fresh ground beef burgers, tasty tots and frothy shakes, Chef Paul and team are obsessed with making guests happy and feeling like family.  Wahlburgers currently has 48 locations throughout North America and Europe, and is dedicated to giving back in every community it serves. For the last five years, Fast Casual named Wahlburgers in the Top 100 Movers & Shakers. Wahlburgers At Home, the brands’ line of fresh and frozen beef products are available in thousands of retail stores throughout the US.  Learn more at www.wahlburgers.com and follow along @Wahlburgers on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.