Overview

• In May, Darden shuttered 15 Bahama Breeze restaurants, cutting its presence by more than a third to 14 locations.
• CEO Rick Cardenas said the brand is no longer a strategic priority following a five-year portfolio review.
• The company is seeking buyers for the remaining restaurants or may convert them into other Darden brands such as Olive Garden or LongHorn Steakhouse.
• The decision forms part of Darden’s broader strategy to focus resources on its most profitable concepts and streamline its brand lineup.
• Bahama Breeze’s Caribbean-inspired menu and tropical atmosphere faced headwinds from rising labor and food costs and evolving diner preferences.