OUTBACK Steakhouse has unexpectedly announced it would close all of its locations in one state leaving workers shocked by the news.
Employees claimed they were given just two days' notice before the chain closed its last three locations in Hawaii.
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The Australian-themed casual dining restaurant closed down its restaurants in Kapolei, Waipahu, and Kailua-Kona on February 18, according to local ABC affiliate KITV.
This news was confirmed by the executive director of the Hawaii Restaurant Association, Sheryl Matsuoka, who said the news was unexpected, according to Fox affiliate KHON-TV.
“The Outback brand has decided to pull out of Hawaii and it’s very unfortunate that the three locations will close up,” Matsuoka said.
“I’m hearing it’s just very challenging to keep the restaurant doors open with all the rising costs happening and restaurants try their best to stay in business but the margins are so small.
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“So when there’s an increase in the cost of food, utilities, pay with minimum wage going up, it’s very hard to stay in business.”
Matsuoka added that a lot of restaurants in Hawaii are seeing the same struggles due to the price increases.
“The restaurants in Hawaii really need our communities' help,” said Matsuoka.
“I’m hearing the sales this Valentine's Day weren’t as good as previous years, and we’re hoping our community comes out and supports their favorite restaurant by dining in, taking out, and supporting local eateries because they need it really bad.”
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STAFF SHOCKED
Staff at the locations claimed management informed them about the Sunday closure on Saturday morning.
Vanessa Glosson, an employee at the Kailua-Kona location, said she wished she had been told earlier.
“It was kind of sad that it was such short notice due that a lot of people could have been looking for jobs elsewhere at the time,” Glosson said.
Advice for leftover gift cards
An Outback manager encouraged people with leftover gift cards to come in and use them as soon as possible before the chain is done for good in Hawaii.
Gift card holders can also call the Hawaii Restaurant Association which is located on the back of the cards at a 1-800 number and they can give advice on what to do with the remainings.
Wanda Wernar, a member of staff at the Waipio branch, explained how they were abruptly informed.
“Basically we found out this morning we were closing in two days,” Wernar said on February 17.
“Tomorrow is the last day of business, we’re opening tonight for dinner, we’re opening tomorrow and that’s it that’s the last day.”
Longtime restaurant chain closes two key locations after 22 years and customers are devastatedSAD CUSTOMERS
Customers and locals shared their sad thoughts on the news.
"So sad We ate at the Kona restaurant on our last visit to the Big Island," one person told KHON.
"Outback is a place we love to go …so sad to see it leave!! Please come back to the islands!!!" this person said.
Another person told the outlet, “I found out this morning from one of the workers that my longtime restaurant is closing."
“I’m a long-time customer, I’ve been coming here for 20-plus years.”
Others expressed their sadness to see Outback leave Hawaii on X, formerly known as Twitter.
"Damn Outback steakhouse is officially closing down all of its locations in Hawaii. lol I wonder why?? There was a time that I used to work there! But honestly, overall, I do have an appreciation for the time I was working there. Rip OB"
"When my dad was alive he used to love it when we took him to Outback Kapolei so many good memories."
"I'm not saying they were the best steak in Kona but they were the most consistently decent steak in Kona... anywhere else, you might pay $65 for a good steak and the next day you would get garbage. Outback was legit consistently decent if not good. I get support local but damn."
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"Noooo it was my go to restaurant for my birthdays."
The U.S. Sun has reached out to Outback Steakhouse's parent company, Bloomin Brands, for comment.
