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

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, which means you may have to find a new favorite restaurant where you can go out to eat more.

Tijuana Flats is a fast-casual Tex-Mex restaurant based in Florida. The company shut down 11 locations in April in Florida as part of its downsizing efforts and filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

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

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 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. By May, 17 locations had closed permanently in Florida. As of August, the restaurant chains announced plans to close nearly two dozen more locations in the state.

The good news for fans of Red Lobster is that the company officially exited bankruptcy in September.

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

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.

Just last month, the restaurant also abruptly shut down a location in Miami Beach and soon after filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. 

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.

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.

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.

The chain then filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in early August in hopes of keeping more money in their bank account. Only three locations remain in Kissimmee, Orlando, and Davie. 

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.

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, and a new location is also planned for Naples, among others.

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.