Outback to Open Fast-Casual Spinoff

Outback Steakhouse parent company Bloomin’ Brands is unveiling its new fast-casual sandwich concept Aussie Grill by Outback in Tampa, Florida next month, according to a recent Restaurant Business article.

Per the article, Aussie Grill by Outback was originally conceived as an international growth vehicle for Bloomin’ Brands through franchising, but the brand has decided to open locations in the Tampa market “to monitor and fine-tune the concept as needed,” a spokeswoman for Bloomin’ said in an email to Restaurant Business. “The fast-casual service model allows franchisees to operate in a smaller footprint, with lower investment while still serving high-quality food.”

There are several interesting aspects to Aussie Grill, including a four-day workweek for the general manager of the concept as advertised on the concept’s job posting for the role, the article notes.

The recent string of full-service restaurants creating spinoffs with smaller footprints and more streamlined menus, Hooters and Cheesecake Factory among them, is indicative of a changing restaurant landscape that other operators, franchise brands included, should take note of.

Read the full article here.