Bahama Breeze Closure 2026: Complete Timeline, Reasons & What’s Next

For three decades, Bahama Breeze stood out in the casual dining landscape as a place where Caribbean-inspired flavors, relaxed island vibes, and tropical drinks were part of the everyday dining experience. But in 2026, the chain that once brought casual Caribbean cuisine to diners across the United States is entering its final chapter. This blog explores the full timeline of events, explains why the closure is happening, and looks at what could come next.

A Brief History of Bahama Breeze

Timeline: How the Closure Unfolded

Early Growth and Peak

• 1996: The first Bahama Breeze opens in Orlando.
• 2000s–2010s: Expansion continues, with the chain reaching dozens of locations across the U.S.

Signs of Struggle

• May 2025: Darden begins reducing its footprint by closing 15 underperforming Bahama Breeze restaurants. This represented a significant portion of the chain and served as an early warning sign that the brand was facing challenges.

Strategic Review and Final Decision

• June–Late 2025: Darden Restaurants undertook a strategic review of Bahama Breeze, considering options such as selling the chain or rebranding locations under other concepts.
• February 3, 2026: The review concluded with a major announcement: Darden will close all 28 remaining Bahama Breeze locations. Of these, 14 will permanently shut down by April 5, 2026, while the other 14 will be converted to different concepts within the Darden portfolio over the next 12 to 18 months.

Why Bahama Breeze Is Closing

The shutdown is rooted in a mix of business, market, and consumer factors:

1. Declining Performance

One of the clearest reasons for the closure has been steady declines in sales and customer demand. As of 2024, the chain experienced a noticeable drop in performance compared to Darden’s other brands, and by 2025 the number of operating locations had shrunk significantly.

2. Strategic Priorities Within Darden

Darden Restaurants has made it clear that Bahama Breeze is no longer a strategic priority. Instead, the company is focusing on its stronger performing brands, such as Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and others that have delivered more consistent results and growth potential.

3. Broader Industry Trends

The casual dining industry has faced mounting pressures from changing consumer preferences, rising operational costs, and growing competition from fast-casual and delivery-oriented concepts. These broader trends have made it harder for traditional sit-down chains, particularly those with higher average check prices, to sustain growth.

What Happens Next

With Bahama Breeze’s closure underway, several key developments will unfold:

Final Closures by April 2026

The 14 restaurants slated for permanent closure will continue serving customers until April 5, 2026. After that date, these locations will shut their doors for good.

Conversions to Other Darden Concepts

The remaining 14 locations will not disappear entirely. Instead, they will be converted into different restaurant brands within Darden’s portfolio over the next 12 to 18 months. At this stage, the specific brands replacing Bahama Breeze have not been publicly confirmed, but the company has indicated that these conversions will use existing sites to support high-performing concepts.

Support for Employees

Darden has emphasized its focus on supporting team members affected by the closures and conversions, prioritizing placement within its broader network where possible.

CLOSING RESTAURANT LOCATIONS	CONVERSION RESTAURANT LOCATIONS
500 Center Blvd., Newark, DE	499 E Altamonte Drive, Altamonte Springs, FL
3590 Breckenridge Blvd., Duluth, GA	805 Brandon Town Center Drive, Brandon, FL
12395 SW 88th St., Miami, FL	14701 S Tamiami Trail, Ft. Myers, FL
10205 Rivercoast Drive, Jacksonville, FL	8160 Irlo Bronson Memorial Hwy., Kissimmee, FL
1251 West Osceola Pkwy., Kissimmee, FL	25830 Sierra Center Blvd., Lutz, FL
11000 Pines Blvd., Pembroke Pines, FL	5620 W. Oak Ridge Road, Orlando, FL
1540 Rinehart Road, Sanford, FL	8849 International Drive, Orlando, FL
19600 Haggerty Road, Livonia, MI	8735 Vineland Ave., Orlando, FL
2000 Route 38, Cherry Hill, NJ	1200 N Alafaya Drive, Orlando, FL
3309 Wake Forest Drive, Raleigh, NC	3045 N Rocky Point Drive East, Tampa, FL
320 Goddard Blvd., King of Prussia, PA	755 Earnest W Barrett Pkwy NW, Kennesaw, GA
6100 Robinson Center Drive, Pittsburgh, PA	570 Cross Creek Mall, Fayetteville, NC
2714 Potomac Mills Circle, Woodbridge, VA	7811 Rivers Ave., Charleston, SC
15700 Southcenter Pkwy., Tukwila, WA	4554 Virginia Beach, Blvd., Virginia Beach, VA

Final Thoughts

The closure of Bahama Breeze in 2026 marks the end of a notable chapter in casual dining. While the chain brought Caribbean flair to many diners for 30 years, shifting consumer habits and business realities ultimately led to its wind-down. For long-time fans, the closure may feel like the end of an era, but it also highlights how restaurant groups adapt to changing market conditions and evolving tastes. As the remaining locations transform into new concepts, many of the original spaces will continue serving guests — just under different banners. Bahama Breeze may be closing, but its legacy in casual dining will not be forgotten.

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Disclaimer : This article summarizes publicly available information as of 2026 about Bahama Breeze and the decisions made by Darden Restaurants. Specific timelines, conversions, and operational details may change. Readers are encouraged to consult official announcements from Darden Restaurants or related sources for the most current information.

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