Bahama Breeze, once a familiar name in casual dining across the country, was nearing the end of its run in the United States as its remaining restaurants continued to disappear.
The Caribbean-themed restaurant chain was down to just 10 locations nationwide in late August 2026, with restaurants operating in Florida, North Carolina, and South Carolina. The dramatic reduction came after parent company Darden Restaurants announced plans to wind down the brand earlier this year.
The final locations are disappearing
The first of the remaining restaurants to close was the Bahama Breeze in Kennesaw, Georgia, bringing the remaining locations from 11 to 10. The restaurant served its final customers on August 29 before closing and being converted into a Cheddar’s Scratch Kitchen. The new restaurant is expected to reopen September 23.
Other remaining locations are also scheduled to close and be converted into other Darden-owned concepts over the following months. The Fayetteville, North Carolina, location is slated to become a Chuy’s, while locations in Florida are scheduled for conversions to Yard House or Olive Garden restaurants.
Darden previously announced that 28 Bahama Breeze restaurants would be affected by its decision. Fourteen were designated for permanent closure, while the other 14, including the Kennesaw restaurant that closed recently, are expected to be converted into different Darden brands.
Darden said the brand was no longer a priority
Darden said Bahama Breeze was “no longer a strategic priority” as the company evaluated its restaurant portfolio. The company said the properties being converted were attractive locations that could benefit other brands within its portfolio.
For longtime customers, the closures marked the end of a restaurant brand that had been part of the casual-dining landscape for about three decades. Bahama Breeze opened its first restaurant in Florida in 1996 and became known for its tropical atmosphere, Caribbean-inspired dishes, and island-themed drinks.
By late August, however, the chain’s remaining restaurants were essentially operating on borrowed time, with the final conversions expected to continue into 2027.
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