Outback Steakhouse closes Cedar Rapids location

CEDAR RAPIDS — Outback Steakhouse has closed its Cedar Rapids location.

Signs notifying customers of the closure started to appear on the door of the Australian-themed restaurant, 3939 First Ave. SE, on Feb. 23. The closure comes 10 years after Outback shuttered its Coralville location 2014.

The restaurant’s closure comes as part of a broader trend as its parent company, Bloomin’ Brands, decided to close 36 “predominantly older, underperforming restaurants,” in the last quarter of 2023 — closures that will be completed in the first quarter of this year. The company’s restaurant brands include Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s Italian Grill and Fleming’s.

The company also plans to open 40 to 45 restaurants systemwide in 2024.

Outback’s three remaining Iowa restaurants are located in Ankeny, Clive and Sioux City.

Comments: Features reporter Elijah Decious can be reached at (319) 398-8340 or elijah.decious@thegazette.com.