Red Lobster, Tijuana Flats and 5 More Restaurant Chains in Florida That Are Closing

Some restaurants are closing due to underperformance or bankruptcy issues.

red lobster restaurant
Updated Aug. 14, 2024
Fact checked

We receive compensation from the products and services mentioned in this story, but the opinions are the author's own. Compensation may impact where offers appear. We have not included all available products or offers. Learn more about how we make money and our editorial policies.

Not all restaurants have been cooking up something good in recent months. In fact, several chains are shutting down locations across the country.

Many of these closures are happening in Florida. So, which restaurant chains have downsized in the Sunshine State? Here are a few that might close near you, making it harder for you to go out to eat more.

Earn $200 cash rewards bonus with this incredible card

There's a credit card that's making waves with its amazing bonus and benefits. The Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card(Rates and fees) has no annual fee and you can earn $200 after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months.

The Active Cash Card puts cash back into your wallet. Cardholders can earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases — easy! That's one of the best cash rewards options available.

This card also offers an intro APR of 0% for 12 months from account opening on purchases and qualifying balance transfers (then 20.24%, 25.24%, or 29.99% Variable). Which is great for someone who wants a break from high interest rates, while still earning rewards.

The best part? There's no annual fee.

Click here to apply now.

Tijuana Flats

LofiAnimations/Adobe tijuana Flats Restaurant outdoor dining

Tijuana Flats is a fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant based in Florida. The company shut down nine locations in April in Florida as part of its downsizing efforts.

The restaurant chain still has locations in Alabama, Florida, North Carolina, and Tennessee.

Outback Steakhouse

wolterke/Adobe outback steakhouse

Outback Steakhouse shut down several of its restaurants earlier this year due to underperformance.

Several locations in the Sunshine State closed. Outback Steakhouse is owned by Bloomin’ Brands, which is based in Tampa, Florida.

Red Lobster

jetcityimage/Adobe red lobster restaurant during day time

Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy earlier this year with a plan that included shutting down dozens of locations across the country.

The restaurant chain had plans to shut down around two dozen locations in the Sunshine State.

Stop overpaying when you shop online

Shopping online has its perks. It's super convenient, but it can be time consuming to find the best deals. Instead of hunting for coupon codes (that don't always work!) and opening tons of browser tabs comparing prices, you can try Capital One Shopping.

Capital One Shopping makes saving money effortless. Just add the browser extension and when you check out, it'll scour the internet for coupon codes to help you save cash. And before you check out at 25+ major retailers, Capital One Shopping will notify you with a friendly pop-up if the item you're buying is available cheaper somewhere else.

Capital One Shopping is free to use and won't show you ads. Add it today and stop overpaying!1

Get Capital One Shopping now

TGI Fridays

Ned Snowman/Adobe tgi fridays restaurant

Some restaurant chains close underperforming locations regularly to stay competitive, and that was the case for two TGI Fridays spots in Florida.

The restaurant chain shut down locations in Ormond Beach and Royal Palm Beach as part of a reduction of more than 30 locations across the country.

MOD Pizza

eqroy/Adobe mod pizza restaurant

Pizza chain MOD Pizza announced that it closed 26 locations across the country earlier this year due to underperformance at those spots. The closing affected a store in Florida.

Hooters

jetcityimage/Adobe hooters dine in restaurant

Restaurant chain Hooters shut down more than 40 restaurant locations in the U.S. in June due to underperformance.

Among the locations closed were four spots that called Florida home, but the company still operates dozens of locations across the state.

Buca di Beppo

jetcityimage/Adobe buca di beppo italian restaurant

Italian eatery Buca di Beppo closed its Maitland location in June, leaving residents with one less place to eat. The restaurant chain said the location’s lease was expiring and it decided not to renew it.

Other chains are closing locations across the U.S.

jetcityimage/Adobe dennys fast casual restaurant

Restaurant chains have also closed locations across other parts of the U.S. due to underperformance.

Chains such as Wendy’s, Applebee’s, Denny’s, and Cracker Barrel have all shut down locations in recent months.

Florida sees other restaurants open

jetcityimage/Adobe culver's fast casual restaurant

While some restaurants are closing down, other chains plan to open locations in Florida.

Culver’s announced that it would open 23 new restaurants in the U.S., including 13 locations across Florida.

Chipotle also said it would open a location in St. Petersburg as part of a new development with apartments and retail space.

Earn money online by taking surveys

$55,000 might sound crazy … but with a company called Survey Junkie, it’s possible to get your share of it every day by taking their surveys in your extra time.

Follow these simple steps to start earning:

  1. Sign up for an account with Survey Junkie here.
  2. Take surveys.
  3. Repeat daily and get paid for sharing your opinion!

P.S.: You can cash out with as little as $5 through PayPal or bank transfer, or transfer to gift cards from a number of stores.

Get your share of $55,000 daily by signing up here

Bottom line

Rawpixel.com/Adobe group of friends eating together

Seeing your favorite restaurant close is sad, but it also offers you the opportunity to save a little more money.

Find new ways to save money on groceries so you can eat at home more often to make up for your favorite restaurants closing.

Lucrative, Flat-Rate Cash Rewards

5.0

Wells Fargo Active Cash® Card

Current Offer

$200 cash rewards bonus after spending $500 in purchases in the first 3 months

Annual Fee

$0

Rewards Rate

Earn unlimited 2% cash rewards on purchases

Benefits and Drawbacks
Card Details