Full Breakdown
Darden Restaurants to Close All Bahama Breeze Locations
4/5/2026, 8:07:07 PM
Overview of Closures and Conversions
Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Bahama Breeze and Olive Garden, has announced the closure of all 28 Bahama Breeze locations, effective this Sunday. The company plans to convert half of these locations into different restaurant models within its portfolio over the next 18 months. The closures will affect restaurants across six states, including Florida, Georgia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, and Delaware.
Specific Locations Impacted
The Bahama Breeze restaurants set to close include locations in:
- Florida: Altamonte Springs, Brandon, Fort Myers, Kissimmee, Lutz, Orlando (four locations), and Tampa.
- Georgia: Kennesaw.
- North Carolina: Fayetteville and Charleston.
- Virginia: Virginia Beach.
- Delaware: Newark.
- Additional closures will occur in Michigan, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and Washington.
Company Statement and Strategic Shift
In a statement, Darden Restaurants indicated that the decision to close Bahama Breeze was due to the brand no longer being a "strategic priority." The company emphasized its commitment to supporting team members during this transition, aiming to place as many employees as possible in roles within its other brands. Darden operates several well-known restaurant chains, including Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House.
Future Plans for Darden Restaurants
Despite the closures, Darden Restaurants is planning to open 65 new restaurants across its various brands within the current fiscal year, which ends in May. This expansion includes the recent opening of 18 new Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse locations in the first quarter of 2025. The specific models into which the closed Bahama Breeze locations will be converted have not yet been disclosed, but it is anticipated that they could be transformed into Olive Garden or LongHorn Steakhouse formats.
Criticism and Opposition
While the company has framed the closures as a strategic realignment, some critics may view this as a sign of declining performance for Bahama Breeze. The decision to close all locations raises questions about the brand's viability and the impact on employees and local economies.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In a company statement, Darden Restaurants said: “The company believes the conversion locations are great sites that will benefit several of the brands in its portfolio.” — Darden Restaurants
- “Going forward, the primary focus will continue to be on supporting team members, including placing as many as possible in roles within the Darden portfolio.” — Darden Restaurants
Conclusion
The closure of Bahama Breeze locations marks a significant shift for Darden Restaurants as it reallocates resources to focus on its more successful brands. The future of the affected locations remains uncertain, but the company's ongoing expansion efforts suggest a strategic pivot towards its core offerings.
