Caribbean chain Bahama Breeze suddenly shut down 15 locations last week, or over a third of the casual dining chain’s overall units.
The closings leave only 29 Bahama Breeze restaurants operating across the U.S., with the majority of the restaurants situated in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic regions.
Darden Restaurants spokesperson Kiara Buckner verified the closures with USA TODAY after news of closing restaurants started surfacing on Thursday afternoon, May 15, in several states.
“We constantly review the performance of all our restaurants,” Buckner stated. “Closing a restaurant is a tough decision because it affects our team members and customers. Yet we feel that this is the correct decision because it will enable Bahama Breeze to concentrate on its highest-performing restaurants and drive the brand’s overall performance.”
Customers were notified of the relocation through signs posted on the restaurant’s front doors, USA TODAY Network newspapers in Naples and Gainesville, Florida, reported.
“This location is closed permanently. Visit a nearby sister restaurant,” reads the sign outside the Gainesville location, pushing guests to dine at near-by Darden-owned eateries Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse. “We appreciate your business.”