Shaggy's Restaurants Thrive on Cheeseburgers and Resilience

New book chronicles how Shaggy's overcame Hurricane Katrina, the BP oil spill, and COVID-19 to build a Gulf Coast restaurant empire.

Feb. 26, 2026 at 3:21pm

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Shaggy's, a restaurant chain founded in South Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina, has grown to five locations across the Gulf Coast by staying true to its roots - serving delicious cheeseburgers and fostering a culture of resilience. The company's founder, Ron Ladner, has chronicled Shaggy's journey from disaster to success in a new book, 'Shaggy's Cheeseburgers: A Real World Tragedy to Triumph Story Through Hope, Love and Change.' The book details how Ladner and his business partner Rimmer Covington navigated a series of crises, from Katrina to the BP oil spill to the COVID-19 pandemic, turning each challenge into an opportunity to grow the business and give back to the community.

Why it matters

Shaggy's story is a testament to the power of resilience, adaptability, and a commitment to community in the face of adversity. As a locally-owned, employee-centric business, Shaggy's has bucked the trend of corporate consolidation in the restaurant industry, providing inspiration and a model for other small businesses looking to weather tough times. The company's focus on paying fair wages, supporting local causes, and creating a welcoming atmosphere for customers has helped it thrive where many others have faltered.

The details

Shaggy's was founded in 2007 in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, when Ladner and Covington saw an opportunity to provide a gathering place for the community to heal. Despite the devastation, their cheeseburger-centric menu and vibrant, over-the-water restaurant concept quickly drew crowds. When the BP oil spill threatened to cripple the local fishing industry, Covington pivoted to provide housing and catering services, turning the crisis into a new revenue stream. And during the COVID-19 pandemic, Shaggy's was able to adapt thanks to its emphasis on outdoor seating and fair compensation for employees.

  • Shaggy's opened its first location in Pass Christian, Mississippi in July 2007, just two years after Hurricane Katrina.
  • In 2013, Shaggy's Fishing Team finished 6th overall at the World Offshore Championship in Costa Rica.
  • Shaggy's Kids Foundation and Shaggy's Angler Camp were launched to introduce local children to the sport of fishing.

The players

Ron Ladner

The founder of Shaggy's restaurants, who previously worked in the software services industry before moving back to South Mississippi after Hurricane Katrina and opening the first Shaggy's location.

Rimmer Covington Jr.

Ladner's business partner, who left his desk job at an investment firm to start a fishing charter business in Venice, Louisiana, before joining Ladner in the Shaggy's restaurant venture.

Shaggy's Fishing Team

Shaggy's competitive fishing team that finished in the Top 10 at the 2013 World Offshore Championship in Costa Rica.

Shaggy's Kids Foundation

A charitable initiative launched by Shaggy's to introduce local children to the sport of fishing through charter trips and an annual camp.

God's Haven

A local organization that Shaggy's supports to help feed homeless children in the Jackson, Mississippi area.

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What they’re saying

“If there wasn't a Katrina, there wouldn't be a Shaggy's. If there were no Shaggy's, the hundreds of thousands of dollars the company spends every year to help our communities would never have been there.”

— Ron Ladner, Founder, Shaggy's Restaurants

“One of the themes of the book is overcoming adversity. When you think times are the darkest, you just channel your energy into making things better and look at it as an opportunity.”

— Rimmer Covington Jr., Business Partner, Shaggy's Restaurants

What’s next

Shaggy's plans to continue expanding its restaurant footprint across the Gulf Coast region, while also growing its charitable initiatives like the Shaggy's Kids Foundation.

The takeaway

Shaggy's story demonstrates how a commitment to community, employee-centric values, and a willingness to adapt in the face of adversity can help a small business not just survive, but thrive, even in the toughest of times. Their success provides a blueprint for other entrepreneurs looking to build resilient, purpose-driven companies.