Keisha Smith
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Don’t look now but there are fewer Blooming Onions in the world today than there were last month. That’s because Outback Steakhouse has closed 21 underperforming locations across the United States.

The closings — all done in October as of now — are part of a sweeping “comprehensive turnaround strategy” announced by its parent company, Bloomin’ Brands.

Outback Closures: Wake-Up Call for New Orleans’ Casual Dining Scene

The closures, revealed in the company’s third-quarter earnings report released Thursday, signal ongoing challenges for the Aussie-themed steakhouse chain that’s been a staple for family dinners and Bloomin’ Onion cravings since 1988.

While Bloomin’ Brands hasn’t released a full list of shuttered spots, early reports indicate the axe fell in states including Alabama, Florida, Wisconsin, and Maryland, with some locations operating for decades before the sudden pink slips.

For New Orleans diners, the news hits close to home—not because any local Outbacks were named (yet), but because it underscores the brutal Darwinism of the casual dining sector right here in the Peach State.

With over 20 Outback locations scattered across metro Atlanta, from the bustling Midtown corridor to the suburbs of Roswell and Marietta, locals are left wondering: Is our neighborhood Outback next?

A Broader Purge: More Closures on the Horizon

The 21 closures are just the tip of the iceberg. Bloomin’ Brands also plans to let leases expire on more than 20 additional U.S. Outback sites over the next four years, bringing the total potential cull to over 40.

This follows a wave of 41 restaurant shutdowns in February 2024, most of them Outbacks, as the company grapples with stagnant sales and fierce competition from trendier spots like LongHorn Steakhouse and Texas Roadhouse.

In its earnings call, Bloomin’ CEO David Deno described the strategy as a multi-year effort to “focus on steak quality, menu simplification, and improving the guest experience.”

The plan includes a $75 million investment for restaurant makeovers by the end of 2028, featuring brighter interiors, streamlined kitchens, and expanded takeout areas to appeal to modern, on-the-go diners.

It’s a stark admission that the chain’s signature bold prints and down-under decor aren’t cutting it anymore in an era dominated by farm-to-table vibes and viral TikTok eats.

Outback’s woes aren’t isolated. Same-store sales inched up a mere 0.4% this quarter—the first positive growth since early 2023—but that’s a far cry from the 5.5% surge at Darden’s LongHorn or Texas Roadhouse’s 5.8% leap.

U.S. traffic dipped just 0.1% recently, a slight improvement from a 2% drop last quarter, but Bloomin’ admits the brand has been “getting traffic below that of competitors.”

Atlanta’s Outback Loyalists React

Here in Atlanta, where barbecue and Southern soul food reign supreme, Outback has carved out a niche as the go-to for reliable ribeyes and that irresistible onion blossom.

But the closures have sparked anxiety among regulars.

“I grew up going to the one in Buckhead with my family—it’s like a time capsule,” says local food blogger Mia Reynolds, who documents her meals on Instagram under @ATLForkful. “If they start closing here, it’ll feel like losing a piece of ’90s nostalgia. But honestly, the menu hasn’t evolved much. We need more plant-based options or local twists to compete with places like Chama Gaucha.”

Bloomin’ Brands emphasized that affected employees are being offered positions at nearby locations where possible, a small mercy in an industry already strained by post-pandemic staffing shortages.

As of late September, the chain still boasts 679 U.S. Outbacks, down from previous highs, but enough to keep the fight going.

What’s Next for Steak Lovers in Atlanta?

For Atlanta’s steak enthusiasts, this could be a silver lining. With Outback refocusing, competitors are poised to pounce. LongHorn’s Georgia outposts, like the one in Sandy Springs, are already buzzing with wait times that rival Friday nights at The Varsity.

And don’t sleep on local gems: Marcel’s in Virginia-Highland for a French twist on beef, or the wood-fired wonders at City Editor in Grant Park.

Outback’s turnaround might just work if it delivers on those promises of fresher steaks and faster service.

Until then, raise a Foster’s (or sweet tea, if you’re keeping it NOLA) to the survivors. Got thoughts on your favorite Outback memory or must-try alternatives? Drop us a line at cj@nolafi.com—we’re all ears (and forks).

Final Bite

New Orleans has one of the best restaurant scenes in the Southeast, and with state of Southern cooking and an emphasis on the culinary arts at an all-time high, that’s saying something.

When New Orleans’ food is mentioned on a national level, it somehow always reverts back to gumbo, which is the best around, although the city’s eateries certainly represent those dishes well, there’s so much more.

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