'One of Sarasota's most popular restaurants' once, now permanently closed
A once-popular restaurant in Sarasota, which had been open for decades and had deep ties to the greater Tampa Bay area, has permanently closed.
Tampa-based Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, and Aussie Grill by Outback, recently announced plans to close dozens of restaurants from across its portfolio.
“We periodically review our asset base and, in our latest review, we made the decision to close 41 underperforming locations," said Bloomin' Brands CEO David Deno, in a call after releasing earnings for the fourth quarter, according to a story published by Nation's Restaurant News. "The majority of these restaurants were older assets with leases from the ‘90s and early 2000s."
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Outback Steakhouse in Sarasota permanently closes
Outback Steakhouse at 7207 S. Tamiami Trail in Sarasota is one of those "older assets" that didn't make the cut. Call the number, 941-924-4329, and the recording informs you that "this location is permanently closed." The restaurant's Facebook page provides the same message.
“Closing a restaurant is never easy," said Elizabeth Daly, director of media and community relations for Bloomin' Brands, via email. "This was a business decision that is not a reflection of the management or staff. Some employees will have the opportunity to transfer.
"Those who do not will receive a severance package. We appreciate the community’s support over the past 35 years and hope to see guests at our Lockwood Ridge and Venice locations.”
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About 15 years ago, the same Sarasota Outback on South Tamiami Trail closed — but only temporarily.
"It's true," Tim Wong, Outback's managing partner, told the Herald-Tribune in July 2008. "We will be closing, probably around the end of October.
"We're taking this building to the ground; then, we'll rebuild. We're going to open the restaurant up, lots of exposed brick, better noise control, 10 more tables and outdoor seating. Twenty years of innovation have gone into rebuilding my restaurant. We'll reopen in late January 2009."
The article noted that from about 1998 to 2008, Wong "had built the steakhouse into one of Sarasota's most popular restaurants, with a reputation for consistency and exceptional customer service."
The Nation's Restaurant News article notes that Bloomin' Brands planned to close all 41 restaurants by Feb. 23. According to Outback's website, the restaurant chain's locations at 6390 N. Lockwood Ridge Road, Sarasota; 4220 S. Tamiami Trail, Venice; 4402 West Cortez Road, Bradenton; and 4510 State Road 64 East, Bradenton all remain open.
“This decision considered a variety of factors including sales and traffic-trade areas and the investment that would have to be made to improve the restaurants,” Deno said in the same Nation's Restaurant News article. “Despite this initiative, our confidence in our portfolio remains high as we plan to open 40 to 45 new restaurants across the system in 2024.”
Outback Steakhouse originated in Tampa in 1988
Outback debuted in March 1988 on Henderson Boulevard in South Tampa.
The story goes that friends Chris Sullivan, Robert Basham, Tim Gannon and Trudy Cooper came together with “the dream of opening their own restaurant — a place casual in atmosphere, with quality food and service at the top of the list,” according to the restaurants’ website.
“To ensure their haven would stand out from the pack, they chose an Australian theme to fit the relaxed but lively mood of their ideal restaurant.” Their motto? “No rules, just right.”
Outback was the first restaurant by the proprietors’ Bloomin' Brands. The company's website noted in 2023 that it’s one of the world's largest casual dining companies with approximately 77,000 employees and more than 1,450 restaurants across the globe.
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Wade Tatangelo is Ticket Editor for the Sarasota Herald-Tribune, and Florida Regional Dining and Entertainment Editor for the USA TODAY Network. Follow him on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Support local journalism by subscribing.
This article originally appeared on Sarasota Herald-Tribune: Sarasota Outback Steakhouse permanently closed
