After Darden Restaurants Inc. announced Feb. 3 it was shutting down its Bahama Breeze restaurant chain, the company filed a notice under the Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act saying it would affect 75 jobs at its Jacksonville restaurant.
The restaurant, which opened in 2000, is at 10205 River Coast Drive near St. Johns Town Center. Darden announced it will close April 5, along with 13 other Bahama Breeze restaurants.
The closures include restaurants in Pembroke Pines, Kissimmee and Sanford, which also employ 75 workers, and a Miami location that employs 77, according to the company’s WARN Act letter.
Besides the 14 restaurants closing, Darden said 14 locations will be converted into other brands owned by the Orlando-based company.
“It is not yet known exactly how many impacted team members there will be as the Company is offering transfer opportunities to other locations. But out of an abundance of caution, the Company opted to comply with the WARN provisions” and file the notice, it said.
In a letter to employees at the Jacksonville restaurant, Bahama Breeze said the closure does not reflect their performance.
“The decision was made based on the operating environment at and around this location,” it said.
“After the Company explored strategic alternatives for the Bahama Breeze brand, it opted to permanently close certain locations and convert other locations to other brands owned by the Company. Due to the operating environment, this location will not be converted.”
Darden’s portfolio includes 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.