It’s time to place your final orders for frozen Bahamas towers and grilled chicken pasta. Bahama Breeze Island Grille will be closing all of its restaurants in the coming months.
Darden Restaurant, the parent company of the tropical-themed chain, announced Tuesday that it will close all 28 remaining Bahama Breeze restaurants by April 5, 2026.
The company made the decision after completing a strategic review of the brand, which has struggled to compete with sister restaurants such as Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. The closure follows a years-long review of the brand’s performance amid changing dining habits and increased competition.
Darden plans to convert 14 existing Bahama Breeze restaurants to other restaurant concepts in its portfolio. The company said it will support employees through the transition as operations wind down in the coming months.
The remaining Bahamas Breeze locations are in Florida, Pennsylvania, Delaware, Georgia, Michigan, New Jersey, North Carolina, Virginia and Washington state. At the restaurant chain’s peak, it had 43 locations across the country.
Closing times will be staggered to give customers a last chance to visit. Dutton has not announced specific closing dates for each location.
Bahama Breeze opened its first location in Orlando, Florida, in 1996 and is beloved for its signature items like conch fritters and tropical drinks. However, the chain remains more of a regional hit than a national behemoth.
In addition to Olive Garden and LongHorn, Darden Restaurant also owns Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Chuy’s, Seasons 52 and Eddie V’s.
Read the original article at syracuse.com.
