Darden Restaurants Ends Bahama Breeze Chain After Thirty Years

After nearly three decades of serving up Caribbean-inspired fare and tropical cocktails, Bahama Breeze is sailing into the sunset. On February 3, 2026, Darden Restaurants—the Orlando-based parent company behind Bahama Breeze, Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, and Ruth’s Chris Steak House—announced it will permanently close 14 Bahama Breeze locations and convert the remaining 14 to other brands within its portfolio. The move, reported by several outlets including Restaurant Business and Jacksonville Daily Record, marks the end of a brand that, at its peak, boasted 43 locations and a loyal following.

For fans of Bahama Breeze at St. Johns Town Center in Jacksonville, Florida, the news lands with particular poignance. That location, which opened in 2010 and quickly became a local favorite for its laid-back island vibe and signature drinks, is among those slated to close. According to Darden’s official statement, the 14 restaurants earmarked for closure—including five in Florida and others in Virginia, Delaware, West Virginia, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and New Jersey—will remain open through April 5, 2026, giving patrons a final chance to enjoy their favorite dishes before the doors shut for good.

Bahama Breeze’s journey began in Orlando in 1996, when Darden launched the chain as a fresh concept meant to capture the spirit of the Caribbean. The brand expanded rapidly in its early years, growing to 37 locations by 2003. But the ride wasn’t always smooth. As Restaurant Business notes, Bahama Breeze shrank to 23 units by 2007, only to rebound after the Great Recession. The chain hit its stride in the 2010s, peaking at 43 locations in 2019 and even bouncing back from the COVID-19 pandemic with sales that exceeded pre-pandemic levels in 2022. However, the good times didn’t last. In 2024, Bahama Breeze reported a systemwide sales decline of 7.7% and, by May 2025, Darden had already closed 15 locations.

By mid-2025, Darden acknowledged that Bahama Breeze was "no longer a strategic priority" and began exploring alternatives, including a potential sale. But as the months passed, it became clear that a more decisive step was needed. On February 3, 2026, Darden made it official: half of the remaining 28 Bahama Breeze locations would close, and the other half would be converted to different brands within the Darden portfolio. The company did not specify which brands would take over the converted sites, but highlighted in its news release that "the conversion locations are great sites that will benefit several of the brands in its portfolio." The conversions are expected to roll out over the next 12 to 18 months.

Most of the restaurants set for conversion are in Florida—ten, to be exact—with one each in North Carolina, South Carolina, Georgia, and Virginia. The decision to close or convert locations was not made lightly, Darden said, emphasizing its commitment to supporting team members during the transition. "Going forward, the primary focus will continue to be on supporting team members, including placing as many as possible in roles within the Darden portfolio," the company stated. The hope is to reassign affected employees to other positions within Darden’s expansive family of restaurants, which also includes Yard House, Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Chuy’s, Seasons 52, and Eddie V’s.

For the broader restaurant industry, Bahama Breeze’s closure is a sign of the times. The casual dining sector has faced mounting challenges in recent years, from rising food and labor costs to shifting consumer preferences and fierce competition from fast-casual upstarts. According to Restaurant Dive, the affordability pressures have made eating out less accessible for many Americans, while chains like Hooters, Bar Louie, and Razzoo’s Cajun Cafe have closed locations or filed for bankruptcy in 2025. Even established brands like Outback Steakhouse and Bravo Brio have shuttered stores or restructured in the face of industry headwinds.

Yet, not all is gloom for Darden. While Bahama Breeze struggled, the company’s core brands have remained resilient. In its most recent quarter, Darden reported total same-store sales rose 4.3%, with Olive Garden up 4.7% and LongHorn Steakhouse climbing 5.9%. Darden’s leadership has been quick to point out that the closure of Bahama Breeze is not expected to have a material impact on the company’s financial results—a testament to the strength and diversity of its restaurant portfolio.

Looking back, Bahama Breeze’s story is one of bold ambition, adaptation, and, ultimately, tough choices. The chain’s early years were marked by rapid expansion, a testament to Darden’s knack for spotting trends and capitalizing on consumer appetites for global flavors. But as the market shifted, Bahama Breeze struggled to maintain its momentum. The chain’s performance lagged behind Darden’s other brands, and despite a brief resurgence after the pandemic, the writing was on the wall by 2024, when average unit sales slipped to $5.7 million, according to Technomic.

For customers and employees alike, the end of Bahama Breeze is bittersweet. The restaurants have been more than just places to eat—they’ve been gathering spots for celebrations, date nights, and family dinners. The St. Johns Town Center location, for instance, has been a fixture in Jacksonville’s dining scene for over 15 years, nestled between Whiskey Cake Kitchen & Bar and Wasabi Steak House. Its closure will leave a gap, not just in the local restaurant lineup, but in the memories of those who frequented its colorful, island-themed dining rooms.

As for what comes next, Darden is keeping its cards close to the vest. The company has not revealed which brands will replace the former Bahama Breeze locations, but with a stable of popular concepts to choose from, locals can expect something new to take root in the coming year. The company’s focus, for now, remains on a smooth transition for employees and customers alike.

In the end, the sun is setting on Bahama Breeze, but the story of American dining continues to evolve. As the industry faces new challenges and opportunities, Darden’s decision underscores the importance of adaptation—and the reality that even beloved brands must sometimes make way for the next wave of culinary innovation.