Bruce Gerleman
Iowa Restaurateur and Historic Property Developer
Bruce Gerleman is an Iowa restaurateur and historic property developer best known as the founder of Jethro’s BBQ and Splash Seafood. His work spans downtown Des Moines preservation, hospitality, and building brands that employ hundreds of Iowans.
Before restaurants, he revitalized landmark buildings across Des Moines — including projects like the Hawkeye Insurance Company building, the Rock Island Depot, and the Saddlery Building — often using historic tax credits to save structures others wrote off. In 1998 he opened Splash Seafood downtown; in 2008 he launched Jethro’s BBQ and grew it into a multi-location Iowa barbecue brand.
Explore his story, press, and background below.
Latest: BBQ that gives back: Jethro’s late-summer community campaigns — October 1, 2026
