The outposts at 2750 Sawgrass Mills Cir. in Sunrise and 3339 N. Federal Hwy. in Oakland Park are no longer serving up mojitos and coconut shrimp, joining a total of 15 Bahama Breeze restaurants that have shuttered across eight states. Five of those closures hit Florida, including longtime locations in Gainesville, Naples, and Daytona Beach.
The move comes as Darden — the Orlando-based operator behind Olive Garden, Seasons 52, and Eddie V's — trims underperforming units amid slowing consumer spending and a tighter full-service dining market, according to Restaurant Business. In all, 18 Darden restaurants were axed this month, including two Seasons 52s and an Eddie V's.
"Closing a restaurant is a difficult choice because it impacts our team members and guests," a Darden spokesperson said in a statement shared on Restaurant Business. "However, we believe this is the right decision because it will allow Bahama Breeze to focus on its highest performing restaurants and strengthen the brand’s overall performance."
Bahama Breeze has closed two Broward County locations as part of a nationwide shutdown of 15 restaurants, marking a major pullback for the Caribbean-themed chain.
Bahama Breeze photo
Despite the themed escape, Bahama Breeze has struggled in recent years. Sales dropped 7.7 percent last year, according to Restaurant Business. The brand now operates around 30 locations nationwide.
As of this week, the Bahama Breeze restaurants in Pembroke Pines and Miami's Kendale Lakes remained open, according to the chain's website. For fans of the Breeze's beachy drinks and calorie-packed "Chocolate Island" dessert, it may be time to raise one last glass — or track down one of the remaining survivors of this once-vacation-in-a-strip-mall chain.
