Who Owns Carrabba's Italian Grill?

Carrabba's Italian Grill was founded in 1986 by Johnny Carrabba III and his uncle Damian Mandola. The first restaurant opened on Kirby Drive in Houston, Texas. Both founders came from Italian-American families with deep culinary traditions. The recipes used at Carrabba's were largely based on family recipes passed down through generations.

The original Carrabba's was a single, family-run restaurant. It gained a loyal following in Houston for its authentic Italian dishes, generous portions, and family atmosphere. The restaurant's success attracted attention from Outback Steakhouse, Inc., which was looking to diversify beyond its steakhouse concept.

In 1993, Outback Steakhouse acquired the rights to Carrabba's. The deal allowed the founders to maintain creative control while leveraging Outback's infrastructure for expansion. Johnny Carrabba continued to be involved in menu development and brand strategy. The chain expanded rapidly in the late 1990s and 2000s, reaching over 200 locations.

Carrabba's positioned itself in the casual dining segment, between family-style Italian chains like Olive Garden and higher-end Italian restaurants. The menu featured grilled meats, pasta dishes, and Italian classics like chicken marsala and veal piccata. The chain was known for its complimentary bread and olive oil dip, a signature element of the dining experience.

In 2012, Bloomin' Brands (the renamed parent company) went public, raising $176 million in its IPO. Carrabba's was one of four brands in the portfolio at the time. The company used the proceeds to pay down debt and invest in growth.

The 2010s and 2020s were challenging for Carrabba's and the broader casual dining sector. Competition increased from fast-casual chains like Chipotle and Panera Bread, which offered quicker service at lower price points. Food costs rose. Labor costs increased. The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 forced restaurants to close dining rooms and pivot to takeout and delivery.

Carrabba's adapted by expanding its off-premise capabilities. The chain invested in online ordering, curbside pickup, and delivery partnerships. Like many casual dining chains, Carrabba's found that off-premise sales remained elevated even after dining rooms reopened.

In 2024 and 2025, Bloomin' Brands undertook a significant restructuring. The company closed 41 underperforming locations across its portfolio in early 2024. In the third quarter of 2025, the company closed an additional 21 U.S. restaurants and identified 22 more locations whose leases would not be renewed. CEO Mike Spanos confirmed that these closures affected all four brands, including Carrabba's.

Despite the closures, Carrabba's has been the strongest performer within Bloomin' Brands. In the second quarter of 2025, Carrabba's comparable sales increased 3.9%, outpacing Outback Steakhouse (down 0.6%) and Bonefish Grill (down 5.8%). In the third quarter of 2025, Carrabba's posted 4.1% comparable sales growth, the highest of any Bloomin' Brands chain. This performance suggests that the Italian dining concept is resonating with consumers even as the broader casual dining sector faces headwinds.

Specific Carrabba's locations that have closed include restaurants in North Palm Beach, Florida (closed September 2025 after 20 years) and Willow Grove, Pennsylvania (closed in early 2026). These closures were attributed to expiring leases and underperformance.

Bloomin' Brands has outlined approximately $50 million in spending initiatives for 2026, with approximately $30 million in offsetting productivity measures, for a net investment of about $20 million. The company has stated it does not envision the need for additional location closures beyond those already announced.