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Darden Restaurants to Close All Bahama Breeze Locations
14 restaurants to permanently shut by April 2026, while remaining 14 will be converted to other Darden brands
Feb. 4, 2026 at 4:47am
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Darden Restaurants, the parent company of Bahama Breeze, has announced that it will be closing all 28 locations of the Caribbean-inspired casual dining chain. 14 locations will permanently close by April 2026, while the remaining 14 restaurants will be converted into other Darden brands like Olive Garden and Longhorn Steakhouse over the next 12-18 months.
Why it matters
The closure of Bahama Breeze, which has seen a 7.7% decline in sales in 2024, is part of Darden's strategic review of its portfolio. The move reflects the challenges facing casual dining chains as consumer preferences shift and competition intensifies from fast-casual and delivery-focused concepts.
The details
Darden confirmed that 14 Bahama Breeze locations across 9 states will permanently close by April 5, 2026, while the remaining 14 restaurants will be converted into other Darden brands over the next 12-18 months. The company says it will help affected staff members find roles within its portfolio of brands, which includes Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Yard House.
- Darden announced the Bahama Breeze closures on February 3, 2026.
- 14 Bahama Breeze locations will permanently close by April 5, 2026.
- The remaining 14 Bahama Breeze locations will be converted into other Darden brands over the next 12-18 months, extending into 2027.
The players
Darden Restaurants
The parent company of Bahama Breeze and other casual dining chains like Olive Garden and LongHorn Steakhouse.
Bahama Breeze
A Caribbean-inspired casual dining chain owned by Darden Restaurants that is being shuttered as part of a strategic review.
What’s next
Darden plans to convert the remaining 14 Bahama Breeze locations into other Darden brands over the next 12-18 months.
The takeaway
The closure of Bahama Breeze reflects the ongoing challenges facing casual dining chains as consumer preferences shift and competition intensifies. Darden's strategic move to wind down the brand and convert locations to higher-performing concepts is an attempt to streamline its portfolio and focus on its stronger brands.
