Bahama Breeze is about to be gone with the wind.
The restaurant chain, which specializes in Caribbean-inspired seafood, chicken, steaks, and tropical drinks, will close its remaining 11 locations by May 2027, ending a 30-year run.
Its parent company, Darden Restaurants, announced the permanent closure of 14 locations in February, noting that the chain was “no longer a strategic priority.”
On Friday, USA Today reported that the remaining locations in Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina will be converted into different Darden brands including Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, Chuy’s, Olive Garden and Yard House.
“The company believes the conversion locations are great sites that will benefit several of the brands in its portfolio,” Darden said in a news release. “Going forward, the primary focus will continue to be on supporting team members, including placing as many as possible in roles within the Darden portfolio.”
Bahama Breeze gave a full list of closure dates, according to USA Today:
Kennesaw, GA – Aug. 30, reopening as Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen
Fayetteville, NC – Sept. 7, reopening as Chuy’s
Orlando, FL (Grand National) – Sept. 28, reopening as Olive Garden
Altamonte Springs, FL – Oct. 17, reopening as Yard House
Charleston, SC – Oct. 26, reopening as Chuy’s
Lutz, FL (Wesley Chapel) – Nov. 7, reopening as Yard House
Orlando, FL (Lake Buena Vista) – February 2027, reopening as Yard House
Tampa, FL – February 2027, reopening as Yard House
Orlando, FL (International Drive) – April 2027, reopening as Chuy’s
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Founded in 1996 in Orlando, Bahama Breeze grew to 43 locations in 2014, but that number has slowly declined since. Most locations were in suburban retail districts and tourist areas, with about half in Florida.
It’s the latest restaurant chain to fall on hard times with some disappearing completely including the Mexican concept On the Border in June and the drive-thru salad chain Salad and Go, which closed all its remaining locations earlier this month.
Others like Red Lobster, Red Robin, Hardee’s, Wendy’s and more have closed locations across the US.
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Dining and Cooking