Bahama Breeze, the Caribbean-inspired restaurant chain, filed a WARN notice with the Florida Rapid Response Dislocated Worker Unit. The brand is part of the Darden Restaurants portfolio, which announced the closure of the Brandon location, leading to mass layoffs.
Bahama Breeze to Close Brandon Restaurant
Bahama Breeze will lay off 86 employees at its restaurant at 805 Brandon Town Center Drive, Brandon, FL 33511. The layoffs are tied to the closure of the restaurant, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification (WARN) notice filed on April 7, 2026.
The restaurant closure and layoffs will take effect on April 20. According to the filing, the company is offering employees transfer opportunities to other locations.
In the WARN notice, the company outlined the reason for the decision. Earlier, it was decided that the restaurant location would be converted into another Darden-owned concept. However, citing the operating environment at and around the location, the company has decided to permanently close the restaurant.
About Darden Restaurants and Its Strategic Review of Bahama Breeze
Darden Restaurants, Inc. is a hospitality company headquartered in Orlando, Florida. The company operates several well-known full-service restaurant brands. Known for its island-style cuisine and tropical cocktails, Bahama Breeze has also been part of Darden for decades.
In February 2026, the company completed an assessment of strategic alternatives for the Bahama Breeze brand. The review evaluated the long-term performance of Bahama Breeze locations and how they align with the company’s growth strategy.
As a result of the evaluation, Darden decided to close some Bahama Breeze locations and convert some into other concepts under the company. The complete details of the assessment and locations can be found here.
Last month, Darden Restaurants reported Fiscal 2026 Q3 results that ended February 22. The company’s total sales increased by 5.9%. The company also discussed various parameters, ranging from share repurchases to the full 2026 financial outlook.
Darden continues to conduct performance reviews of its brand lineup to align with long-term business goals and market conditions. The closure of the Brandon Bahama Breeze reflects broader operational changes ongoing within the company and restaurant industry.
