Outback, Bonefish Closing Dozens of Locations – Will Louisiana, Texas Be Affected?

Fans of Outback Steakhouse in Louisiana and Texas may find themselves in for a surprise as the parent company, Bloomin’ Brands, recently announced the closure of 41 underperforming locations across various brands it owns.

The Lafayette, Louisiana area in particular has seen a restaurant boom with new restaurants opening every few months. The downside is while the community is excited to welcome new restaurants into the city some fear this may be impacting the smaller locally owned businesses in town.

Get our free mobile app

In the same way that we have seen a increase in new restaurants we have also had our fair share of restaurants closing their doors.

This massive closure announcement from Bloomin' Brands shows that even large companies are suffering from inflation and cost increases.

What Brands Does Blooming Brands Own?

• Carrabba’s
• Italian Grill
• Bonefish Grill
• Fleming’s

Popular Chain Closes Restaurants Across The Country

The closures primarily targeted Outback Steakhouses due to a combination of factors such as declining sales, shrinking customer traffic, and the high costs associated with improving older assets.

CEO David Deno explained during an earnings call that many of the shuttered restaurants were operating on leases dating back to the 1990s and early 2000s, making it financially challenging to renovate and revitalize these locations.

Will Outback Close Locations in Louisiana and Texas? Here's What We Know:

While Bloomin’ Brands did not release a comprehensive list of the closed restaurants, reports indicate closures in several states: Pennsylvania, Iowa, and Hawaii for Outback Steakhouse, and New Jersey and Virginia for Bonefish Grill.

Despite the closures, the company assured that affected employees would be offered transfer opportunities to other locations and provided with severance packages.

Closing restaurants is never easy. This was a business decision that has no reflection on the staff or their service. Many team members will have the opportunity to transfer to open positions at another restaurant. Employees who do not will receive severance

Out With The Old, In With The New

There’s still a glimmer of hope for Outback Steakhouse enthusiasts. The company has plans to open up 18 new restaurants in the US this year, featuring a redesigned layout introduced in 2022. In total across all brands fans can expect 40-45 new restaurants in the U.S. in 2024.