Darden to transform 4 Bahama Breeze eateries in region

Darden Restaurants will rebrand all four of its regional Bahama Breeze Island Grille locations in the next 18 months as part of a move to eliminate the chain.

The four local restaurants — in Tampa, Lutz, Brandon and Fort Myers — are among 14 Bahama Breeze locations that will remain open as the remaining 14 are shut down by April 5.

Orlando-based Darden says in a statement that it made the decision to do away with the brand after an “exploration of strategic alternatives.” The company had previously said the brand was no longer a priority and it was considering a sale of Bahama Breeze or converting the restaurants.

According to the statement, it settled on shuttering half and rebranding the other half.

Darden's roster of restaurant brands include Olive Garden, LongHorn Steakhouse, Yard House, Ruth's Chris Steak House, Cheddar's Scratch Kitchen, The Capital Grille, Chuy's, Seasons 52 and Eddie V's.

The company, in the statement, did not say which of those brands the current Bahama Breeze locations will be changed to only that they are “great sites that will benefit several of the brands” in the portfolio.

The remaining 14, 10 of which are in Florida, will stay open until temporary closures are needed to complete the rebranding. The company expects the project to take a year to 18 months.

As for those locations that are closing, including five in Florida, they are expected to continue operating until April 5.

“Going forward,” the company says in the statement, “the primary focus will continue to be on supporting team members, including placing as many as possible in roles within the Darden portfolio.”

The four locations that will change names locally are at:

• The Brandon Exchange at 805 Brandon Town Center Drive
• 14701 S. Tamiami Trail in Fort Myers
• 25830 Sierra Center Blvd. in Lutz
• 3045 N Rocky Point Drive E. in Tampa