Steakhouse operators have confronted difficult market conditions, with beef prices rising 9.4% year-over-year in July 2026, pressuring profit margins across the sector. Bloomin’ Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse, initiated a comprehensive turnaround strategy approximately 10 months before these closures, designed to eliminate underperforming locations lacking growth potential.
Outback Steakhouse closed its Evansville, Wyoming location on Aug. 23, 2026, after 21 years of operation. The franchisee-operated restaurant posted a farewell message thanking the community for its support. The Wyoming closure follows the planned shutdown of Outback’s Baltimore location at 2400 Boston Street, which was scheduled to cease operations on Oct. 11 after more than 20 years in business. The company operates one remaining location in Wyoming and continues to maintain multiple restaurants in Maryland.
As part of the broader restructuring effort, Bloomin’ Brands closed nine restaurants system-wide during the second quarter of 2026, which ended June 28, including four company-owned and five franchised locations. The company also opened five new restaurants during the same period. In 2025, the operator closed 21 U.S. restaurants and chose not to renew leases on 22 additional locations, with most lease expirations scheduled over the subsequent four-year period.
Outback Steakhouse currently operates 660 locations across 44 states. Its parent company, Bloomin’ Brands, operates approximately 1,440 locations globally across 46 states, Guam, and 12 countries. The company’s portfolio includes Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar. Management indicated satisfaction with turnaround progress, citing improved financial results in the second quarter.
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