Bloomin' Brands Layoffs: 100 Corporate Employees to Go Home

Tampa, FL—Bloomin' Brands, the parent company of Outback Steakhouse and other restaurant chains, has announced the layoff of 100 corporate employees at its Tampa support center, constituting a 17% reduction in its corporate workforce.

This strategic move comes in the wake of the company's recent decision to re-franchise its Brazilian operations in December 2024, a move aimed at aligning operational costs with the company's current scale.

The layoffs will impact departments supporting both corporate administration and restaurant operations.

The restaurant industry has been grappling with significant challenges, including rising labor and commodity costs, primarily due to inflation.

In its latest financial report, Bloomin' Brands noted a decrease in its adjusted restaurant-level operating margin to 12.5% from the previous 14%, attributing this decline to lower restaurant sales and increased operational expenses.

Bloomin' Brands' decision mirrors a broader trend in the industry, with companies like Dine Brands, Starbucks, and Denny's also implementing corporate layoffs to navigate the current economic landscape.

As the company moves forward, it aims to streamline operations and focus on core business areas to better position itself in the evolving market.