LANSING, Mich. (Michigan News Source) – Outback Steakhouse parent company, Bloomin’ Brands, announced that it would be shutting down 41 locations, some of which are in Michigan.
Michigan is home to 18 Outback locations, but according to Elizabeth Daly, Director of Media and Community Relations for Outback Steakhouse, two locations have already been shut down.
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“There are two Outback locations that have closed in Michigan: Roseville and Kentwood,” Daly shared in an email with Michigan News Source. “The last day of business was Friday, February 23.”
The last post from the Roseville location was the day before Australia Day, Jan. 26.
“Celebrate the Aussie way with bold flavors everyone will [be] chanting, Oi Oi Oi for!,” the Facebook said.
Daly also expressed the company’s farewell to those who had worked for the Florida based chain.
“Deciding to close a restaurant is never easy,” she said in the email. “This was a business decision and is not a reflection of the management or staff. Some employees will have the opportunity to transfer. Those who do not will receive a severance package. We appreciate the community’s support over the years.”
On a recent earnings call, the Bloomin Brands shared that it would be permanently closing certain locations of Outback Steakhouse, Carabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s locations. According to Fortune, 33 of the 41 closures occurred last Friday and shocked investors.
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“We periodically review our asset base and, in our latest review, we made the decision to close 41 underperforming locations,” CEO David Deno said during the call. “The majority of these restaurants were older assets with leases from the ’90s and early 2000s.”
Deno went on to explain that the move was not a sign of weakness for the company, according to Fortune, and Bloomin’ Brands plans to open between 40-45 new restaurants before 2025.
While Daly, and Bloomin’ Brands have not released a list of all the restaurants that will be closing, every Outback Steakhouse in Hawaii, Bonefish Grill locations in New Jersey and Virginia are closing according to Fortune.
The employees in Hawaii shared that they had minimal warning before they closed their doors last week.
“Basically we found out this morning we were closing in two days,” said Wanda Wernar, who worked at the Waipio location, according to Khon 2. “Tomorrow is the last day of business, we’re opening tonight for dinner, we’re opening tomorrow and that’s it, that’s the last day.”
For the nearest Michigan Outback locations, see here.
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