Outback Steakhouse Announces 43 Restaurant Closings

Getting your 'Bloomin Onion' fix might be a getting a little more difficult, mates.  Outback has announced it will close 43 of it's restaurant locations, including one Illinois restaurant.
Every time I get a restaurant gift card as a gift, it's bad luck. The restaurant closes on me and I'm out of luck.  First it was Ruby Tuesday, then Lonestar, now its Outback.

Bloomin’ Brands, Outback's parent company, has announced plans that it will close 43 under performing locations, nationwide. Bloomin' Brands, also owns Carrabba’s, Fleming's Steakhouse and Bonefish Grill. There are 1500 Outback locations nationwide.

According to a press release release issued by Bloomin' Brands:

On February 15, 2017, we decided to close 43 under performing restaurants. In connection with these closures, we recognized pre-tax asset impairments of $46.5 million during Q4 2016, which includes three restaurants that closed in the fourth quarter. We expect to incur charges between $16 million to $19 million in fiscal year 2017 with the majority of these expenses occurring in the first quarter.

The East State Street Outback is not affected, and remains open. The only Bloomin' Brands Illinois location that is closed is the Carrabba's Grill location in Naperville which closed on February 15th

ABC7 reports that a spokesman for the company says no other restaurants in Illinois, Indiana or Wisconsin were closed.

My suggestion, if you get a restaurant gift card as a gift, use it now, or potentially be out of luck.