Restaurant giant, boosted by delivery, embarks on renovation project

Staying relevant in a sea of competition, changing tastes and other obstacles is a prime challenge for one of the biggest restaurant companies in the region.

By Mark Gordon
| 6:00 a.m. March 22, 2019
| 0 Free Articles Remaining!

Mark Wemple: Jennifer Striepling is overseeing an overhaul of the interiors of dozens of Outback locations.

Travel-Tourism

Outback is going back to the Outback.

Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands, parent company of the well-known restaurant chain, has unveiled a significant renovation plan for Outback, its flagship brand, with 773 locations nationwide and some 160 abroad. The plan includes three separate themes based on Australian cities, in keeping with the down under vibe for Outback, founded in 1988. “You are constantly looking at ways to stay current,” says Jennifer Striepling, vice president of design and construction at Bloomin’ Brands, who is overseeing the renovation initiative.