Darden had explored a sale of Bahama Breeze. | Photo: Shutterstock
Darden Restaurants has decided to wind down the Bahama Breeze chain, with plans to close 14 locations and convert another 14 to some of its other brands.
The owner of Olive Garden and other full-service chains said in June that it was considering strategic alternatives for Bahama Breeze, a Caribbean-inspired seafood chain it created in 1996. The chain has been a drag on the company’s performance in recent years, posting a systemwide sales decline of 7.7% in 2024. In May, Darden closed 15 Bahama Breeze locations.
Alternatives included a potential sale. Instead, Orlando-based Darden will scrap the brand altogether. The 14 stores slated for closure will shut their doors April 5. The conversions will take place over the next 12 to 18 months.
Darden did not say which of its brands will take over those locations, but noted that they are “great sites” that could benefit several of its brands. Most of them are in Florida, including four in Orlando.
It added that it does not expect the change to have a material impact on its financial results.
Bahama Breeze has had a history of ups and downs. From 1996 to 2003 it grew to 37 locations, then shrunk to 23 by 2007. Following the Great Recession, Darden began to grow it again, and it performed well through the 2010s, peaking at 43 units in 2019. It came back strong from the pandemic, exceeding pre-COVID sales in 2022. But sales declined in each of the next two years. In 2024, the average Bahama Breeze generated $5.7 million, according to Technomic.
Besides Olive Garden, Darden owns LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Chuy’s, Seasons 52, and Eddie V’s.
Outside of Bahama Breeze, the company has performed well over the past year. Total same-store sales rose 4.3% in its most recent quarter, which included a 4.7% increase at Olive Garden and 5.9% at LongHorn.
A full list of the Bahama Breeze closures and conversions is here.
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