Bahama Breeze has shuttered 15 locations across eight states, as parent company Darden Restaurants, Inc., said in an email Friday that the series of closures “is the right decision.”
Why It Matters
The closures come at a time when some dining establishments are reevaluating their locations in response to changing consumer habits, rising operational costs and post-pandemic shifts in foot traffic.
Restaurant closures can occur for numerous reasons, including financial hardships like debt and bankruptcy, or a shift in consumer preferences that correlate with brand restructuring.
What To Know
Bahama Breeze locations have closed in Florida, Illinois, Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York and Tennessee.
A sign was placed on the now permanently closed restaurant in Memphis, reading, “This location is permanently closed,” and encourages visitors to visit other Darden-owned restaurants in the region, according to FOX 13 Memphis.
Darden confirmed the closures to Newsweek on Friday, declining to specify the specific reasons the locations were closing.
“We continually evaluate the performance of all our restaurants. … Closing a restaurant is a difficult choice because it impacts our team members and guests,” Darden spokesperson Kiara Buckner told Newsweek via email. “After thorough analysis and careful consideration, we made the decision to close 15 Bahama Breeze locations.
“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.”
Buckner added that Darden is “doing everything we can” to place impacted team members at other Darden locations. Those unable or unwilling will be provided severance.
A third-quarter report dated March 20, 2025, indicates that at the time, Darden owned 43 Bahama Breeze restaurant locations.
What Is Bahama Breeze?
Bahama Breeze is a casual dining restaurant chain launched in 1996 and has been synonymous in the restaurant industry for its Caribbean-inspired food and flair, live music, tropical cocktails and a diverse menu.
Which Bahama Breeze Locations Closed?
The following Bahama Breeze restaurants have been confirmed to Newsweek to now be closed:
- 3989 Plaza Blvd., Gainesville, Florida 32608
- 2088 9th St. N., Naples, Florida 34102
- 1786 W. International Speedway Blvd., Daytona Beach, Florida 32114
- 2750 Sawgrass Mills Cir., Sunrise, Florida 33323
- 3339 N. Federal Hwy., Oakland Park, Florida 33306
- 406 E. Golf Rd., Schaumburg, Illinois 60173
- 413 Middlesex Rd., Tyngsborough, Massachusetts 01879
- 539 E. Big Beaver Rd., Troy, Michigan 48083
- 375 Hughes Center Dr., Las Vegas, Nevada 89169
- 520 Woodbridge Center Dr., Woodbridge, New Jersey 07095
- 1201 Hooper Ave., Toms River, New Jersey 08753
- 101 NJ-23, Wayne, New Jersey 07470
- 1600 Bergen Town Center, Paramus, New Jersey 07652
- 612 Smith Haven Mall, Lake Grove, New York 11755
- 2830 N. Germantown Pkwy., Memphis, Tennessee 38133
What Brands Are Owned by Darden Restaurants?
Aside from Bahama Breeze, Darden brands include: Olive Garden, Longhorn Steakhouse, Ruth’s Chris Steakhouse, Scratch Kitchen, Cheddar’s, The Capital Grille, Chuy’s, Seasons 52 and Eddie V’s.
Darden was founded back in 1938 after Bill Darden opened his first eatery. The business now operates over 2,100 restaurants, according to its website.
What’s Next
Darden has not confirmed whether more Bahama Breeze locations are at risk of closure.
The post Bahama Breeze Closings: List of Locations That Shut Down This Month appeared first on Newsweek.
