Research date: November 5, 2026
Some Outback Steakhouse customers in the western United States found that their local restaurant had closed in October. The closures happened before a large Outback franchise operator filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection. The news has raised questions: Is Outback Steakhouse closing all its restaurants? Did the restaurant chain itself go bankrupt? Can customers still use gift cards?
The facts need to be kept separate. Ten Outback locations were reported closed between October 11 and October 25, 2026. A franchise operator called Out West Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 on November 2. Out West operated 61 Outback Steakhouse restaurants in the western United States. The filing does not say that the whole Outback chain has filed for bankruptcy.
This guide explains the 10 reported closures, the company named in the court filing, Bloomin’ Brands’ proposed purchase agreement, the support facility, what customers and employees should know, and how to check a restaurant before travelling.
Quick summary: What is happening with Outback Steakhouse?
- 10 locations: Fast Company reported that 10 Outback restaurants closed between October 11 and October 25, 2026.
- Franchisee: Cerca Trova Restaurant Group Holdings, which does business as Out West Restaurant Group, filed for Chapter 11 on November 2, 2026.
- Number of restaurants operated: Out West operated 61 Outback Steakhouse restaurants across five western states.
- Parent company: Bloomin’ Brands is the owner of the Outback Steakhouse brand. The November 2 filing was by the franchisee, not by Bloomin’ Brands.
- Proposed purchase: Bloomin’ Brands agreed to make a proposed purchase of most of Out West’s assets for a stated price of $26.3 million, subject to court approval and possible higher offers.
- Support funding: Bloomin’ Brands agreed to provide up to $5.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing, subject to court approval and other conditions.
1. List of 10 Outback Steakhouse locations reported closed in October 2026
Fast Company published the following address list on November 4, 2026. Its report said the 10 restaurants had closed between October 11 and October 25. The list was based on court records reviewed by the publication.
| State | Reported closed address | City |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 4871 E. Grant Road | Tucson |
| Arizona | 1860 E. McKellips Road | Mesa |
| California | 7575 Beach Blvd. | Buena Park |
| California | 25261 N. The Old Road | Valencia |
| California | 26652 Portola Parkway | Foothill Ranch |
| Colorado | 7065 Commerce Center Drive | Colorado Springs |
| Colorado | 15 W. Springer Drive | Highlands Ranch |
| Colorado | 2066 S. Abilene Street | Aurora |
| Colorado | 8601 W. Cross Drive | Littleton |
| Nevada | 3645 S. Virginia Street | Reno |
Important: This is the list of 10 locations in the November 4 report. It is not a list of every Outback closure in the chain’s history. The SEC filing confirms the Chapter 11 case and the franchisee’s 61-restaurant operation, but it does not provide this address list.
Before travelling, check the official Outback Steakhouse location finder. A store’s status can change after a news report is published. Calling the restaurant or checking the official locator is safer than relying only on an old map listing.
2. Which company filed for Chapter 11?
The company named in the SEC filing is Cerca Trova Restaurant Group Holdings, Inc. It does business as Out West Restaurant Group. It is an independently owned franchisee of Bloomin’ Brands.
A franchisee is a separate business that receives permission to use a brand and operate restaurants under a franchise agreement. The franchisee runs the locations and has its own financial responsibilities. It is not the same legal company as the brand owner.
Bloomin’ Brands’ SEC report says Out West operated 61 Outback Steakhouse restaurants in the western United States. These locations were spread across Arizona, California, Colorado, Nevada and New Mexico.
3. What does Chapter 11 bankruptcy mean?
Chapter 11 is a type of bankruptcy process in the United States. It allows a business to work under court supervision while it tries to reorganise its finances, sell assets or agree on a plan with creditors.
A Chapter 11 filing does not automatically mean that every store closes on the same day. A business may continue to operate while the court case moves forward, if it meets the legal requirements and receives any needed approvals.
Bloomin’ Brands’ November 2 SEC filing said Out West would continue as a “debtor in possession” under the court’s supervision. In simple words, the company planned to keep running its business while the case continued.
The filing also said there was no immediate impact on guests, restaurant team members or day-to-day operations at that time. This was a statement about the immediate effect described in the filing. It was not a promise that every location would stay open permanently.
4. Is Outback Steakhouse itself bankrupt?
The November 2 SEC report names Cerca Trova Restaurant Group Holdings, doing business as Out West Restaurant Group, as the company that filed for Chapter 11. It describes Out West as an independent franchisee of Bloomin’ Brands.
It does not say that Bloomin’ Brands filed for Chapter 11 in that report. It also does not say that every Outback Steakhouse in the United States is closing.
This distinction matters because a restaurant brand can have many locations operated by different businesses. If one franchise operator has financial problems, that does not automatically mean that the parent company or every restaurant in the chain has the same problem.
Fast Company reported that Outback had more than 660 U.S. restaurants at the end of 2025, based on information from Bloomin’ Brands. That number is a chain-wide figure from an earlier date, not a count of the restaurants Out West operated.
5. What does Bloomin’ Brands plan to do?
Bloomin’ Brands entered into a proposed asset purchase agreement with Out West on November 1, 2026. The SEC filing says the proposed price is $26.3 million, subject to adjustments and the assumption of certain liabilities.
The agreement is not the same as a completed sale. The process must follow bankruptcy-court procedures. Other bidders may offer a higher or better deal. The court must approve the sale, and other conditions must be met.
The SEC filing lists January 31, 2027 as the outside closing date under the agreement, unless it is extended under the agreement’s terms.
Bloomin’ Brands said that buying the restaurants could give it more direct control over the locations and allow it to invest in them through its development plans. These are the company’s stated reasons. The proposed deal could still change or fail if the court process or other conditions are not completed.
6. What is the $5.5 million support facility?
The SEC filing says Bloomin’ Brands agreed to provide up to $5.5 million in debtor-in-possession financing to Out West. The proposed facility does not bear interest, according to the filing.
The money is intended to help pay normal operating costs and professional or administrative costs during the Chapter 11 case if the business does not have enough cash to meet its needs.
The full amount was not described as an unconditional payment already made. The filing says court approval and other conditions are required. It describes a possible first draw of $1.5 million after an interim approval order. The remaining amount would be available only after a final approval order and approval of bidding procedures, subject to the agreement’s conditions.
This funding is meant to support the business during the court process. It does not guarantee that every restaurant will remain open or that the proposed sale will be completed.
7. Why did the 10 restaurants close?
Fast Company’s November 4 report said court records showed that the 10 restaurants had closed before the Chapter 11 filing. The report also said Out West asked the court to reject the leases for those locations.
The report said the closed restaurants were losing money or earning too little to cover their property costs. In simple terms, a restaurant may have customers and still lose money if rent, wages, food, utilities and other costs are too high.
Fast Company also reported that court documents described financial pressure at Out West over several years. The company cited lower customer traffic and higher labour, food and production costs. The report said the franchisee had faced financial challenges since 2018 and that revenue fell during the COVID-19 pandemic.
These details relate to Out West’s reported financial situation. They should not be treated as proof that every Outback restaurant has the same problem. Different locations can have different sales, rent costs, owners and local competition.
8. How many Outback Steakhouse restaurants are in the United States?
Fast Company reported that Outback had more than 660 U.S. restaurants at the end of 2025, based on information from Bloomin’ Brands. Out West operated 61 of those restaurants across five western states.
These figures refer to different groups:
- More than 660: Reported U.S. chain count at the end of 2025.
- 61: Restaurants operated by the Out West franchisee when the Chapter 11 filing was made.
- 10: Locations reported closed between October 11 and October 25, 2026.
Do not add these numbers together. The 10 closed locations were part of the franchisee’s restaurant group, not extra locations outside the 61.
9. What does the bankruptcy mean for other Outback locations?
The Chapter 11 filing relates to Out West and the restaurants it operated. It does not mean that every Outback restaurant is closing.
Bloomin’ Brands said there was no immediate effect on Out West or company-owned Outback guests, team members or day-to-day operations at the time of the filing. The proposed sale could change who operates some locations in the future, but the result depends on the court process and the final deal.
Customers should check their own restaurant rather than assume that all stores in a state or region are closed. The same advice applies to employees: wait for official communication from the employer or the relevant court process.
10. How to check whether an Outback near you is open
- Open the official Outback location finder.
- Enter your city, state or ZIP code.
- Check the address and current listing.
- Call the restaurant before making a long trip.
- For a question about a gift card or another issue, use the official Outback contact page.
Do not rely only on an old search result, social-media post or map listing. These services may not show a recent closure or change in operating status right away.
11. What should customers know about gift cards?
Gift cards can raise questions when a restaurant closes or changes operator. The SEC filing says the proposed purchase agreement includes the assumption of certain liabilities, including unredeemed gift cards, as part of the asset transaction.
This is one term of a proposed deal. It does not mean that the sale has already closed or that every gift-card question has been resolved. If your local restaurant has closed, check the official gift-card terms and contact Outback customer support.
Keep the card and proof of purchase. Do not share the full gift-card number in a public post or with an unverified person. Ask the company where the card can be used and whether any location-specific limits apply. Do not assume the card is worthless because a local restaurant closed, but do not assume every card will work in every situation without checking.
12. What should employees know?
The bankruptcy filing may affect employees of the franchisee differently from employees of company-owned Outback restaurants. The SEC report said Out West planned to continue its day-to-day business during the Chapter 11 process. It also said Bloomin’ Brands reported no immediate effect on team members at the time of filing.
The 10 locations reported closed in October are a separate matter. Employees affected by a closure should keep copies of schedules, pay statements, benefit details and any notice from the employer. If wages or other payments are missing, they should use the official company or court-approved process to ask questions.
Employees should not rely on social-media comments for legal deadlines or claims. For personal legal questions, contact a qualified employment lawyer or the relevant state labour agency.
13. What happens next in the Out West Chapter 11 case?
The next steps depend on the bankruptcy court. The court must review the financing request and the sale process. Other buyers may be able to make competing offers. The proposed transaction can close only if the court approves it and the required conditions are met.
Bloomin’ Brands’ SEC report says the proposed asset purchase agreement has an outside closing date of January 31, 2027, unless extended under its terms. That is a deadline in the agreement, not a promise that the sale will close on that date.
For updates, check later SEC filings from Bloomin’ Brands and the court documents for Cerca Trova/Out West. A news report can explain a development, but the latest official filing or court order is the better source for the legal status.
Frequently asked questions
Is Outback Steakhouse closing all its locations?
No such chain-wide closure was announced in the November 2 SEC filing. The filing relates to Out West, an independent franchisee that operated 61 Outback restaurants. Ten locations were reported closed in October.
How many Outback Steakhouse locations closed in October 2026?
Fast Company reported 10 closures between October 11 and October 25, 2026, based on court records.
Which Outback locations closed in Arizona?
The report listed 4871 E. Grant Road in Tucson and 1860 E. McKellips Road in Mesa.
Which Outback locations closed in California?
The report listed 7575 Beach Blvd. in Buena Park, 25261 N. The Old Road in Valencia and 26652 Portola Parkway in Foothill Ranch.
Which Outback locations closed in Colorado?
The report listed 7065 Commerce Center Drive in Colorado Springs, 15 W. Springer Drive in Highlands Ranch, 2066 S. Abilene Street in Aurora and 8601 W. Cross Drive in Littleton.
Which Outback location closed in Nevada?
The report listed 3645 S. Virginia Street in Reno.
Did Outback Steakhouse file for bankruptcy?
The November 2 SEC filing names Cerca Trova Restaurant Group Holdings, doing business as Out West Restaurant Group, as the Chapter 11 debtor. It describes Out West as an independent franchisee of Bloomin’ Brands.
How many Outback restaurants did Out West operate?
Bloomin’ Brands’ SEC filing says Out West operated 61 Outback Steakhouse restaurants in the western United States.
Will Bloomin’ Brands buy the 61 Outback restaurants?
Bloomin’ Brands entered into a proposed asset purchase agreement for $26.3 million, subject to court approval, possible higher offers and other conditions. The agreement had not been described as a completed sale in the November 2 filing.
Can I use an Outback gift card after a local store closes?
The proposed purchase agreement includes certain unredeemed gift-card liabilities, but the sale process is not the same as a completed transaction. Check the current gift-card terms and contact Outback through its official support page.
How can I check if my local Outback is open?
Use the official Outback location finder and call the restaurant before travelling. Store information can change after a news report is published.
Conclusion: one franchisee’s bankruptcy does not mean the whole chain is closing
Ten Outback Steakhouse locations were reported closed in October 2026. The franchise operator, Cerca Trova Restaurant Group Holdings, which does business as Out West Restaurant Group, filed for Chapter 11 on November 2. It operated 61 Outback restaurants in five western states.
Bloomin’ Brands did not file for Chapter 11 in the SEC report. Instead, it entered into a proposed agreement to buy most of Out West’s assets for $26.3 million and agreed to provide up to $5.5 million in possible court-approved financing. The final result depends on the court process and any competing offers.
For customers, the best step is to check the exact restaurant before visiting and contact the company about gift cards. For employees and investors, use official company filings and court updates rather than rumours or old social-media posts.
Sources and research notes
- Bloomin’ Brands Form 8-K filed November 2, 2026
- Fast Company report dated November 4, 2026: 10 Outback closures
- Bloomin’ Brands investor relations and SEC filings
- Outback Steakhouse official location finder
- Outback Steakhouse official customer contact page
Disclaimer
This article is for general information only. It is not legal, employment, financial or investment advice. Court cases and proposed sales can change. The closure list is based on a report published on November 4, 2026. Check official company information and current location status before making decisions. Customers and employees with personal legal or payment questions should contact the company or a qualified adviser.
