Bahama Breeze has a cool Caribbean vibe, the food and drinks are pretty darned good, and that was enough to earn it some fans.
Just not enough fans, apparently, because its owner, Darden Restaurants, announced that it is closing the final 28 Bahama Breeze locations in the coming months. According to CNN, Darden also owns Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse, and half of the closing Breeze locations will be converted into other restaurants in the chain.
CNN noted that the sad announcement for fans of the restaurant comes a year after Darden first shut down a third of its locations.
The outlet reported that the final day of operation for 14 Bahama Breeze locations will be April 5. The other 14 locations will be converted into other restaurants across the next 12-18 months, according to Darden.
“The company believes the conversion locations are great sites that will benefit several of the brands in its portfolio,” Darden said. “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.”
Darden said it is not disclosing at this time what restaurants those locations will be converted into.
The list of closing Bahama Breeze locations includes two in Pennsylvania — one in King of Prussia and another in Pittsburgh. The other restaurants are located in Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington.
While it is the end of the road for Bahama Breeze, CNN reported that Darden’s stock is up 8% this year and that Oliver Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse have “reported positive same-store sales increases as consumers searched for value.”
