Naples' original Outback Steakhouse closes after over 30 years  

Outback Steakhouse permanently closed its original location in Naples on Oct. 26 after operating for more than 30 years.

In addition to the local closing, at least seven other Outback locations were shuttered on the same day. Two Outback restaurants closed in Birmingham, Alabama, and others ceased operation in Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Jacksonville Beach; Madison, Wisconsin; Merrick, New York; and Silver Spring, Maryland.

“After a periodic review, we decided to close these locations. These are business decisions that considered a variety of factors, including sales and traffic, trade areas and potential investments to improve performance," said Elizabeth Daly, director of media and community relations for Bloomin’ Brands, the Tampa-based restaurant group that operates Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. “Closing a restaurant is never easy. This was a business decision that is not a reflection of the management or staff.”

Some employees of the shuttered Outback in Naples had the opportunity to transfer, and all will receive a transition bonus, Daly said.

“We appreciate the community’s support over the past 33 years and hope to see you at our Founders Square, East Naples and Bonita Springs restaurants,” she said.

At one time, the recently closed Outback location at 4910 U.S. 41 N. in Naples was one of the chain’s top performers for bar sales and overall sales. Patrons used to queue outside awaiting a table.

Because of its success, the restaurant group opened two more locations in Collier County for the Australian-inspired casual dining concept. Outback launched its South Naples location at 9975 Triangle Blvd. in spring 2014 and in Founders Square at Immokalee Road and Collier Boulevard in summer 2022.

“They said when they opened the location at Immokalee and 951 that killed their business for this one,” said Bill Young, senior vice president for Lee & Associates and the leasing agent for Tanglewood Marketplace, the retail center Outback anchored in Naples.

Restaurant sales at Outback locations were down 0.6% during the second quarter this year, according to financial results reported by Bloomin’ Brands. During the second quarter from March 20 to June 29, the company closed two Outback restaurants and opened seven new locations, giving the chain 557 company-owned locations and 121 franchised locations at that time.

“Our restaurant teams are focused on consistency of execution, and we remain committed to turning around Outback to deliver sustainable and profitable growth,” Bloomin’ Brands Inc. CEO Michael Spanos said this summer during the quarterly earnings call.

The company reports being in a "quiet period," but will share more information about the most recent closings during its third-quarter earnings call scheduled for Nov. 6. The company plans to share more information about its most recent closings during a third-quarter earnings call scheduled for Nov. 6, Daly said. Until next week’s call, the company is restricted from making public statements about its financial performance and must abide by a quiet period mandated by the SEC to assure market integrity and prevent insider trading.  

Although Outback is still leasing the anchor end unit it occupied since 1992, Young said his local real estate firm will sign another restaurant to lease that more than 7,500-square-foot space.

“We’ll change that right away. We’ll get somebody else in there,” he said. “We’ll probably get another national tenant in there fairly quickly.”