Outback Steakhouse closed more restaurants this week as the chain looks to right the ship after a long period of struggles.
Local media reports indicated that the casual-dining brand had closed at least eight locations in six states, including its home state of Florida.
“After a periodic review, we decided to close some locations,” a company representative said in an email. “These are business decisions that are part of our ongoing turnaround plan. We considered a variety of factors, including sales and traffic, trade areas, and potential investments to improve performance. We are working to relocate as many of our team members as possible to nearby restaurants.”
Outback’s website listed 670 locations, eight fewer than it had at the end of June. The chain is now more than 10% smaller than it was a decade ago, when it had more than 750 units nationwide.
Parent company Bloomin’ Brands previously closed more than 40 restaurants in early 2024, many of them Outbacks. But it has also been opening new locations, including seven Outbacks in the second quarter alone.
It is part of Bloomin’s plans to revitalize the chain, which has not generated positive same-store sales in two years. That has included a bigger focus on value, operations and food quality. It has also been experimenting with new ideas at a small group of restaurants before bringing them systemwide.
Tampa-based Bloomin’ will report its results for the third quarter Nov. 6, and will likely provide more details then.
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