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Bonefish Grill in Secaucus is among the dozens of restaurants across the country that abruptly closed this past week after parent company, Bloomin’ Brands Inc., said they were “underperforming.”

Tampa-based Bloomin’ announced the decision to shut down 41 establishments during its Feb. 23 earnings call. The company’s portfolio also includes Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Fleming’s Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.

David Deno, Bloomin’s CEO, cited “a variety of factors,” including declining sales and reduced customer foot traffic. He also pointed to the high cost of necessary investments to improve the shuttered restaurants, many of which had leases dating back to the 1990s and early 2000s.

The company did not release a list of locations set to close. However, it told CNN that Outback Steakhouse will be hit the hardest.

Local reports show that every Outback Steakhouse restaurant in Hawaii has since closed, as well as ones in Pennsylvania and Iowa. The decision also impacted three Carrabba’s Italian Grill locations in New York and Bonefish Grill sites in Virginia.

Of the 41 closures, 33 restaurants were closed Feb. 23, a Bloomin’ spokesperson told Nation’s Restaurants News.

The company also said many team members will have the opportunity to transfer to open positions at another restaurant. Employees who choose not to will receive severance, Bloomin’ also said.

Glass half full

As of December 2023, the group’s portfolio of 1,480 restaurant included 688 Outback Steakhouses in the U.S., 217 Carrabba’s Italian Grills, 176 Bonefish Grills and 64 Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bars.

More closures:

In January, TGI Fridays also abruptly closed dozens of locations, including seven in New Jersey. Click here to see the list.

Despite the closures, Deno said the company’s “confidence” in its brands “remains high.” Additionally, he said the company plans to open as many as 45 new restaurants across the system in 2024.

Within New Jersey, Bloomin’ continues to have a large footprint.

Bonefish Grill has locations open in Brick, Deptford, East Brunswick, Egg Harbor, Iselin, Lawrenceville, Manalapan, Marlton, Paramus and Pine Brook.

Outback Steakhouse can be found in Brick Township, Butler, Cherry Hill, Deptford, Edgewater, Edison, Green Brook, Hamilton, Ledgewood, Marlton, Mays Landing, Middletown, Old Bridge, Parsippany, Rochelle Park, Secaucus, Springfield, Turnersville and Wayne.

Bloomin’ also has Carrabba’s locations in Brick, East Brunswick, Green Brook, Maple Shade and Turnersville along with Fleming’s steakhouse restaurants in Edgewater and Marlton.