ORLANDO, Fla. — Bahama Breeze, the Caribbean-themed restaurant chain that has spent roughly three decades serving tropical-inspired food and drinks, is entering its final chapter.
The chain’s parent company, Darden Restaurants, announced earlier this year that it would eventually close every Bahama Breeze location in the country. Of the restaurants still operating, 11 locations remain open, but their days are numbered.
Darden previously said 14 Bahama Breeze restaurants would close, while another 28 locations would be converted into other brands within its restaurant portfolio, including Olive Garden, Yard House, Ruth’s Chris Steak House and Eddie V’s.
The remaining locations are spread across Florida, Georgia, North Carolina and South Carolina.
But customers will not have much longer to visit their favorite Bahama Breeze restaurants. The company told USA Today that all remaining locations will close by May 2027.
First Remaining Location Closes in Georgia
The first of the final group of restaurants is already scheduled to disappear.
The Kennesaw, Georgia, location is closing August 30, marking the first closure among the remaining Bahama Breeze restaurants. The property is expected to reopen as a Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen.
The closures will continue quickly afterward, with restaurants in several states scheduled to shut their doors over the coming months.
Bahama Breeze has released a schedule showing when each remaining restaurant is expected to close and what will replace it.
The Fayetteville, North Carolina, restaurant is scheduled to close September 7 and reopen as Chuy’s. Orlando’s Grand National location follows on September 28, with plans to convert it into an Olive Garden.
The Altamonte Springs, Florida, restaurant is scheduled to close October 17 and become a Yard House.
More Bahama Breeze Locations Set to Disappear
The closures will continue into the fall.
The Charleston, South Carolina, location is scheduled to close October 26 and reopen as Chuy’s. The Lutz, Florida, location in the Wesley Chapel area is expected to close November 7 before being converted into another Yard House.
Several of the remaining Orlando-area restaurants will last longer, but their futures have already been decided.
The Lake Buena Vista location is expected to close in February 2027 and become a Yard House. The Tampa location is also scheduled for February 2027, with the same planned conversion.
Orlando’s International Drive restaurant is expected to close in April 2027 and reopen as Chuy’s.
The final closure currently listed is the Fort Myers, Florida, location, which is scheduled to shut down in May 2027 before being converted into a Yard House.
Darden Says Bahama Breeze Is No Longer a Priority
The decision to end the Bahama Breeze brand came directly from its parent company.
Darden CEO Ricardo Cardenas said during an earnings call that the company had determined the chain was no longer part of its long-term strategic plans.
“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.”
The decision effectively brings an end to a restaurant brand that has been part of Darden’s portfolio for about 30 years.
While individual locations will continue operating for a limited time, customers looking to enjoy Bahama Breeze one more time will need to check the closure schedule carefully.
Bahama Breeze Isn’t the Only Chain Facing Trouble
The restaurant industry’s difficult period has affected other chains as well.
Salad and Go, an Arizona-based fast-casual restaurant known for made-to-order salads, wraps and breakfast offerings, recently filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy and closed all of its locations on August 5.
The company filed for bankruptcy on August 4, a process that can allow a business to reorganize its finances and operations.
The shutdown was particularly notable because Salad and Go had experienced rapid growth. The company opened more than 60 stores in only a few years and was considered one of the country’s fastest-growing restaurant concepts by 2023.
The chain had also brought in former Wingstop CEO Charlie Morrison to lead the company in 2022.
For Bahama Breeze fans, the situation is different but the ending is becoming just as clear: the beloved chain is disappearing one location at a time, with the final restaurants expected to be gone by May 2027.
Did you ever visit Bahama Breeze, and will you make one last trip before your local location closes? Share your memories and thoughts in the comments.