A POPULAR restaurant shocked customers and employees when it suddenly shuttered a third of its locations this month.
The chain, notably operated by Olive Garden owner Darden Restaurants, has been around since 1996.
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The owner of Olive Garden has closed locations for another one of its brands (stock image)Credit: Getty
Diners will be forced to go elsewhere for some of their favorite menu items (stock image)Credit: Getty
Bahama Breeze abruptly shutdown locations in May (stock image)Credit: Alamy
While popular for years, Darden Restaurants’ Bahama Breeze saw a 7.7% sales decline in 2024, per CNN.
Amid the struggles, Bahama Breeze decided to abruptly axe at least 15 locations, about a third of its footprint.
Before the closures, Bahama Breeze had expanded to 43 restaurants nationwide by 2014 after its humble beginnings in Orlando, Florida.
The affected locations were in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, and Tennessee.
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Kiara Buckner, a spokesperson for Bahama Breeze, said the closures were necessary for the restaurant to put more time and effort into those locations that were performing best.
“Closing a restaurant is a difficult choice because it impacts our team members and guests,” Buckner told The Daily Mail.
“However, we believe this is the right decision because it will allow Bahama Breeze to focus on its highest performing restaurants and strengthen the brand’s overall performance.”
Select staff members at the shuttered Bahama Breeze locations were reportedly offered jobs at other Darden Restaurants-owned brands, like Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse.
Others were given severance packages.
One of the closing Bahama Breeze spots in Tyngsboro, Massachusetts, saw 73 staffers lose their jobs.
At least 327 were affected across the four New Jersey closures.
TEARS SHED
Some employees were left in tears after being pulled into a “last-minute” meeting about the shutdown this month, per a TikTok clip from staffer Jade Erain (@jadeerain).
Customers who watched the video were saddened by the update.
“Ain’t no way Bahama Breeze in Gainesville is done. RIP to the memories,” a Florida-based fan commented.
Restaurant closures in 2025
Denny’s – Denny’s has confirmed that up to 150 locations are set to close in the US by the end of the year as many of them are no longer profitable.
Red Lobster – The chain has said that it plans to close over 100 stores across the country this year as new CEO Damola Adamolekun takes over.
TGI Friday’s – TGI Friday’s is still being forced to shutter locations thanks to a bankruptcy filing, including 30 in April alone.
Applebee’s – This chain is projecting a loss of 20 to 35 Applebee’s spots in 2025 but is teaming up with IHOP to introduce dual-branded locations with a curated menu of the two’s best items.
Noodles & Company – This emporium is set to close between 17 and 21 locations in 2025 following a difficult 2024.
“Memphis location is shutting down too,” another added.
“NO I LOVE BAHAMA BREEZE,” a third exclaimed.
Someone else cried over “no more jerk chicken pasta.”
CONVENIENCE FIRST
Darden Restaurants’ other brands have been making moves to draw in more customers.
Olive Garden, for example, recently partnered with Uber Direct to offer delivery services to customers and finally rolled it out in March.
Those who want their favorite dishes from the pasta chain can order them through the mobile app or website, where they’ll be completed and then delivered through an Uber Driver.
Rick Cardenas, CEO and president of Darden Restaurants, said in a statement that “guests have been asking us for home delivery options as they continue to show they are willing to pay for convenience.”
The catch is that not everything on the Olive Garden menu is available for delivery at its over 900 restaurants in 43 states.
Never-ending soups, salads, and breadsticks don’t apply.
Customers must also reside within eight miles of the Olive Garden where they’re ordering delivery.
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Olive Garden also saw some blowback from customers when it confirmed price increases last summer.
Darden Restaurants’ Longhorn Steakhouse also recently announced a massive menu shakeup with two grilled favorites returning.
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