ORLANDO, Fla. – After a number of Bahama Breeze restaurants closed in May, Darden Restaurants said recently that the brand is no longer a priority, and the company is considering selling the remaining locations, among other options.
Darden Restaurants, which is based in Orlando, closed down 15 Bahama Breeze restaurants in mid-May, five of which were in Florida. This leaves 28 of the highest performing Bahama Breezes, according to an earning’s call on June 20 from the multi-brand restaurant operator.
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The following five Bahama Breeze locations were shut down in the Sunshine State:
- Gainesville — 3989 Plaza Blvd.
- Naples — 2088 9th Street N.
- Daytona Beach — 1786 W. International Speedway Blvd.
- Sunrise — 2750 Sawgrass Mills Cir.
- Oakland Park — 3339 N. Federal Hwy.
"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," Ricardo Cardenas, President, Chief Executive Officer & Director, Darden Restaurants, Inc. said on the call.
Cardenas went on to say that the company believes that the remaining 28 restaurants may benefit from a new owner. He also said they are exploring strategic options for Bahama Breeze, which may include selling the brand or transitioning select locations to other Darden concepts.
The Caribbean themed restaurant was founded in 1996 in Orlando.
“We do not expect these strategic alternatives, including a potential sale, to have a material impact on our financial results,” Cardenas said.