Bahama Breeze Faces Uncertain Future as Owners Signal Major Changes Ahead
A month after shuttering 15 of its locations, Bahama Breeze may be nearing the end of its journey. Darden Restaurants, the parent company of the Caribbean-themed chain, has announced it is weighing significant changes—including a possible sale of the brand.
During a quarterly earnings call on June 20, Darden CEO Ricardo Cardenas confirmed the company is "considering strategic alternatives" for Bahama Breeze. These include selling the brand or converting existing locations into other Darden concepts such as Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, or Yard House.
"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," Cardenas stated.
Decline in Focus
This update comes shortly after Darden abruptly closed 15 Bahama Breeze locations in mid-May. The closures left just 28 locations in operation, which the company labeled its "highest performing." However, no timeline has been given for any potential sale, nor has Darden revealed if a buyer is in sight.
Cardenas emphasized that even if a sale were to proceed, it is unlikely to have a significant financial impact on Darden’s overall performance.
The Rise and Fade of Bahama Breeze
Launched in the 1990s, Bahama Breeze became known for its tropical ambiance and Caribbean-inspired menu. It initially gained popularity, especially in Florida where half of the remaining locations are still located.
Currently, there are still Bahama Breeze restaurants operating in Georgia, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, and Virginia—with two locations each—and single sites in Delaware, Michigan, New Jersey, South Carolina, and Washington. A notable location continues to operate at Cherry Hill Mall in New Jersey.
Closed Locations
As of May, these Bahama Breeze restaurants have been confirmed closed:
- Gainesville, FL – 3989 Plaza Blvd
- Naples, FL – 2088 9th St N
- Daytona Beach, FL – 1786 W International Speedway Blvd
- Sunrise, FL – 2750 Sawgrass Mills Cir
- Oakland Park, FL – 3339 N Federal Hwy
- Schaumburg, IL – 406 E Golf Rd
- Tyngsborough, MA – 413 Middlesex Rd
- Troy, MI – 539 E Big Beaver Rd
- Las Vegas, NV – 375 Hughes Center Dr
- Woodbridge, NJ – 520 Woodbridge Center Dr
- Toms River, NJ – 1201 Hooper Ave
- Wayne, NJ – 101 NJ-23
- Paramus, NJ – 1600 Bergen Town Center
- Lake Grove, NY – 612 Smith Haven Mall
- Memphis, TN – 2830 N Germantown Pkwy
What Comes Next?
Whether Bahama Breeze will continue under new ownership, get folded into other Darden brands, or slowly disappear from the American dining landscape remains to be seen. For now, its future is up in the air—and longtime fans may want to savor the island-inspired experience while it still lasts.
