Sarasota Outback Among 41 Restaurants Closing Nationwide: Reports

SARASOTA, FL — The Outback Steakhouse restaurant at 7207 South Tamiami Trail in Sarasota is among the dozens of restaurants being closed nationwide by Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands Inc.

In addition to Outback,the company’s brands include Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and Aussie Grill.

The company’s CEO, David Deno, told Nation’s Restaurant News that Bloomin’ Brands would close 41 restaurants across the country.

“We periodically review our asset base and, in our latest review, we made the decision to close 41 underperforming locations. The majority of these restaurants were older assets with leases from the ‘90s and early 2000s,” he said, adding, “This decision considered a variety of factors including sales and traffic-trade areas and the investment that would have to be made to improve the restaurants. Despite this initiative, our confidence in our portfolio remains high as we plan to open 40 to 45 new restaurants across the system in 2024.”

While the company didn’t list which stores would be closed, the Sarasota Outback’s Facebook page lists the restaurant as permanently closed and it’s no longer listed on the company’s website. Its outgoing voicemail also says that it’s permanently closed.

It’s the only Outback closing in the Tampa Bay area, 10 Tampa Bay reported.

“Closing a restaurant is never easy. This was a business decision that is not a reflection of the management or staff. Some employees will have the opportunity to transfer. Those who do not will receive a severance package. We appreciate the community’s support over the past 35 years and hope to see guests at our [Lakewood] Ranch and Venice locations,” the company said in a statement provided to 10 Tampa Bay.