5 FL Locations Of Popular Restaurant Chain Abruptly Close

FLORIDA — Five Florida locations of the national chain restaurant Bahama Breeze have closed recently, part of a move to close 15 of the business' locations across the country, according to USA Today.

The closures of more than a third of remaining Bahama Breeze locations came abruptly last week. The restaurant's parent company, Darden Restaurants, said the closures were the “right decision because it will allow Bahama Breeze to focus on its highest performing restaurants and strengthen the brand’s overall performance,” CNN reported.

The move comes after the business performed poorly, with sales falling 7 percent over the last year.

The Florida locations that closed are:

• 3989 Plaza Blvd., Gainesville
• 2088 9th St. N., Naples
• 1786 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach
• 2750 Sawgrass Mills Circle, Sunrise
• 3339 N. Federal Hwy., Oakland Park

According to the Bahama Breeze website, there are 16 Florida locations still open for business, including five sites in Orlando, along with Tampa, Lutz, Fort Myers and Brandon.

Bahama Breeze also shuttered its last New England restaurants in Massachusetts, four in New Jersey, and one each in Illinois, Michigan, Nevada, New York, and Tennessee, according to CNN.

Bahama Breeze is known for its Caribbean-inspired food and handcrafted tropical drinks.

Parent company Darden Restaurants also operates well-known chains like Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, The Capital Grille, Seasons 52, Longhorn Steakhouse, and Olive Garden.

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