Outback Steakhouse In Westborough Closes, Among 43 Restaurants Closed By Parent Co.

WESTBOROUGH, MA — No more Bloomin' Onions in this town. The Outback Steakhouses in Westborough and Framingham are among those closing as part of a nationwide cut of restaurants owned by the Bloomin' Brands group, which also includes the Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's and Flemings.

Bloomin' Brands is closing more than 40 restaurants in various parts of the country by the end of the year, reports Fox 25 news. The company has not listed the complete list of restaurants yet.

Both Westborough and Framingham Outback restaurants closed last Thursday.

"Basically, they are just trimming the low income [locations]," said Jenna Ferrini, who has been a waitress at the restaurant for many years, told Patch. "They weren't making enough money to stay running."

The news was presented in an investor call last week, indicating that exactly 43 stores would close, reports WCVB-TV.

Other Massachusetts locations closing include Carrabba's in Tyngsboro and The Bonefish Grill in Westwood, according to a Bloomin' Brands spokesperson.

"We have given all employees a severance package and are working to place them in our other restaurants," said Elizabeth Watts, director of media and community relations for Bloomin' Brands. "The last day of business was Feb. 15 for all four locations. Closing a restaurant is never easy. It was a business decision and has no reflection on the employees or their service."

Headquartered in Tampa, FL, Bloomin’ Brands operates close to 1,500 restaurants throughout 48 states, Puerto Rico, Guam and 20 countries. There are 13 Outback Steakhouses, one Bonefish Grill and two Carrabba’s Italian Grills in Massachusetts.

Photo Credit: Outback Steakhouse