Bloomin’ Brands Cuts 100 Corporate Jobs Tampa Headquarters

TAMPA, FL — Bloomin’ Brands, the parent company of Outback and other restaurant chains, is laying off about 100 corporate employees at its Tampa headquarters, according to the company’s Thursday filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.

This includes those in various roles representing 17 percent of Bloomin’s restaurant support center team in Tampa. The layoffs are effective immediately.

The reasons behind the layoffs are “ongoing challenging industry trends and increased focus on high priority growth opportunities and operational efficiency,” Bloomin’ Brands said in its notice.

“The company believes this will further support its long-term strategy and path to sustainable growth in traffic, comparable sales and profitability.”

While the move is expected to save the company about $22 million a year, the layoffs will cost Bloomin’ Brands about $7.5 million in severance pay and termination benefits, the notice said.