Outback Steakhouse’s State College area location closed on Friday after nearly 25 years in business.
“Deciding to close a restaurant is never easy,” a spokesperson for Outback’s parent company, Bloomin’ Brands, wrote in a statement to StateCollege.com. “This was a business decision and is not a reflection of the management or staff. We appreciate the community’s support for the past 24 years.”
The company did not respond to a question about how many employees worked for the Australian-themed restaurant’s location at 1905 Waddle Road in Patton Township, or when they were notified of the closure. An employee at the restaurant said staff were notified on Friday.
“Employees who do not transfer to another location will be offered a severance package,” the spokesperson wrote.
Outback’s nearest location to Centre County is now in Altoona.
Bloomin’ Brands wrote in its quarterly financial results released on Friday that it planned to shutter 41 “predominantly older, underperforming restaurants,” while also opening 40 to 45 new restaurants this year.
“This decision considered a variety of factors, including sales and traffic, trade areas and the investments that would have to be made to improve the restaurants,” CEO Dave Deno said during a call with analysts on Friday, according to Restaurant Business.
Bloomin’ Brands also operates Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Aussie Grill.
The Centre Region Outback was recently closed for about two weeks in December after a fire that started in the dumpster area caused smoke, water and minor structural damage to the building.
Outback Steakhouse began leasing the Waddle Road property from Shaner Family Partners LP in June 1999, according to county records.
