If your dinner plans usually involve steel drums and coconut shrimp, it might be time to check if your local Bahama Breeze still exists.
The tropical chain just quietly axed a big chunk of its locations — and not just a few underperformers.
Here is everything you need to know.
What Did Bahama Breeze Just Shut Down?
Bahama Breeze, the Caribbean-inspired restaurant chain known for its tropical cocktails and jerk chicken, has abruptly closed 15 of its 43 restaurants across the U.S., over a third of its entire footprint.
The parent company, Darden Restaurants, confirmed the closures happened mid-May and called it a move to “sharpen focus” on better-performing spots.
Where Are the Shuttered Locations?
A total of 15 restaurants were shut down across eight states. Here is a full list:
- Florida: 4 restaurants closed, including Naples and Gainesville
- Illinois
- Massachusetts (Tyngsboro)
- Michigan
- Nevada
- New Jersey: 4 restaurants closed, leaving only Cherry Hill Mall open
- New York
- Tennessee
Why Did Darden Pull the Plug?
Blame it on the economy — or changing dining habits. Bahama Breeze took a 7.7% sales hit in 2024, and Darden decided to cut its losses early in 2025. Darden cited shrinking sales and a push to focus on stronger markets.
How Many Bahama Breeze Locations Are Still Open?
After the cuts, only 29 Bahama Breeze restaurants remain nationwide, mostly clustered in the Southeast and Mid-Atlantic.
If it feels like you’ve been hearing about more restaurants closing locations lately, you’re not imagining things. Subway has closed 1,645 locations in recent years. Last month, Jack in the Box announced plans to close 200 locations. Red Robin is considering closing 70 locations.
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