The future of Bahama Breeze is in limbo a month after Olive Garden-owner Darden shuttered over a third of its restaurants.
Darden confirmed the company ‘will be considering strategic alternatives’ following the brand’s sharp sales decline.
These alternatives include potentially selling the brand or ‘converting restaurants to other Darden brands.’
‘After further review, we have made the difficult decision that these remaining locations and the Bahama Breeze brand are not a strategic priority for us,’ said Darden CEO Ricardo Cardenas.
The news came after the company made the sudden decision to close 15 restaurants.
Darden spokesperson Kiara Buckner explained at the time that the company believed the closures were ‘the right decision’ to strengthen Bahama Breeze’s performance.
The company has not revealed what ‘alternative’ its leaning toward and whether there are any potential bidders.
However, it believes Bahama Breeze could thrive under new ownership.
Darden is ‘considering strategic alternatives’ for Bahama Breeze a month after closing 15 restaurants
Darden CEO Ricardo Cardenas revealed Bahama Breeze is ‘not a strategic priority’ for the company
Founded in 1996, the small, Caribbean-inspired restaurant chain opened its first location in Orlando, Florida.
Bahama Breeze expanded to other states and operated approximately 43 locations by 2014.
Following the abrupt closures, only 29 of these longtime restaurants remain in operation.
Darden has shown no signs of slowing down its powerhouse restaurant chains like Olive Garden and LongHorns, one of the nation’s favorite restaurant chains.
Olive Garden started giving customers the option to place orders its website or app and have them delivered by Uber drivers.
It’s also refreshed its menu, launched a new Spicy Three-Meat Sauce, and limited-edition products for the summer season, including pool floats and items inspired by fan-favorite offerings.
This brand, along with LongHorns, Yard House, and other Darden-owned chains have yet to experience the same level of mass closures as Bahama Breeze.
However, Olive Garden noticeably lost its title of being the top US restaurant after holding the top spot for seven years.
The restaurant was founded in 1996, with its first location in Orlando, Florida
Darden Restaurants owns Olive Garden, one of the top restaurant chains in the US
Bahama Breeze is not the only restaurant chain exploring alternatives to recover from things like declining customer traffic and inflation.
Jack in the Box began searching for bidders to purchase the Del Taco brand before announcing Jack in the Box it would close up to 200 restaurants.
Hooters is in the middle of selling off restaurants after filing for bankruptcy in March.
However, Hogan’s Real American Beer is reportedly eyeing an all-cash offer to bid for some of its intellectual property.
Unlike the others, the Bojangles chain is searching for a buyer not because it’s struggling, but because it’s thriving.
Some buyers acted quickly, including Pappas Restaurants, successfully bidding on On The Border Mexican Grill & Cantina in May for $10 million two months after the chain filed for bankruptcy protection.
DailyMail.com has reached out to Darden for comment about the closures.
