Business

Iconic Outback steakhouse chain shuts doors in multiple states

Tonya Costoff Medeiros

26 Mar 2026 — 1 min read

Despite ranking among the top casual dining steakhouses in the United States, Outback Steakhouse will see several closures. ©Image Credit: Bloomin’ Brands

If you're craving a classic steak dinner at an Outback Steakhouse restaurant, run don't walk. The restaurant's parent company, Bloomin’ Brands, has announced a "strategic turnaround plan" that will include closing a bunch of locations.

Full details are yet to be released

The company won't be renewing 22 Outback restaurant leases through 2029. In October 2025, 21 underperforming Outback locations were also closed.

The closures are being blamed on a change in customer traffic, the rising costs of products, and labor. With inflation on the rise and so many people living on a very tight budget, dining out is hardly a priority.

Add up all of these factors, and it is the perfect storm.

Customer satisfaction and restaurant ranking aren't to blame

With all the closures announced, it's only natural to assume that customer satisfaction must be low. That couldn't be further from the truth.

Looking at the 2024 data, Outback Steakhouse's sales were the third highest in the category of casual dining steakhouses. LongHorn Steakhouse came in second, and the first-place title went to Texas Roadhouse.

Corporate employees also feel the pinch

It's not just the Outback restaurant locations that will feel the pinch. As reported by SeafoodSource, Bloomin' Brands also laid off 100 corporate employees in 2025.

Also under the Bloomin' Brands umbrella are Carrabba's Italian Grill, Fleming's Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar, and Bonefish Grill. This is such a massive company that it has more than 1,450 restaurants in its worldwide portfolio.

Now's the time to visit an Outback Steakhouse

Because there is no clear word on how many Outbacks will close, which ones, and when, you may want to visit as soon as you can. This could be the last time you get to experience your favorites at the chain.

Sources: TheStreet, SeafoodSource

FDA shares warning against eating these chocolates found to contain hidden drugs

If you've got a sweet spot for chocolate, you'll need to be careful about what brand you purchase. Gear Isle has issued a voluntary nationwide recall of a particular chocolate product. Chocolate contains undeclared ingredients Even though this is a voluntary product recall by the manufacturer

Netflix is raising prices for the second time in a year

Your streaming bill just crept up, as Netflix has raised its subscription prices again. This is the second time in just over a year, and this time, every single plan is getting hit. Let’s look at what is changing and how much more you will have to pay. Netflix

Chipotle and Outback among major chains making big menu changes

If you're tired of the same old menu items at your favorite fast-food restaurants, you may be in luck. A handful of chains, including Chipotle and Outback Steakhouse, are making menu updates and improvements their priority. It's all about the new items There's clearly

Feds warn of new crypto ATM scams specifically targeting senior citizens

You’ve probably seen those crypto ATMs tucked next to the snack aisle or near the lottery machine. They look harmless. Kind of futuristic, even. But officials are now warning that they have become a go-to tool for scammers targeting elderly people. This scam is pretty much "Panic as