Who Owns Carrabba's Italian Grill?
Carrabba's Italian Grill is owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc., a publicly traded American casual dining restaurant company headquartered in Tampa, Florida. Carrabba's Italian Grill was founded in 1986 and acquired by Bloomin' Brands in 2000. The chain operates over 200 locations globally and is known for its Italian cuisine and wood-grilled preparations.
Parent Company
Bloomin' Brands Inc.
Acquired
2000
Status
Publicly Traded
Headquarters
Tampa, Florida, USA
Who Owns Carrabba's Italian Grill?
- Parent Company: Bloomin' Brands Inc.
- Ownership Type: Wholly owned
- Acquisition Year: 2000
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock Ticker: NASDAQ: BLMN
| Brand | Parent Company | Ownership Type |
|---|---|---|
| Carrabba's Italian Grill | Bloomin' Brands Inc. | Wholly owned |
History of Carrabba's Italian Grill
- Founded: 1986
- Founders: Carrabba family
- Acquired by Bloomin' Brands Inc.: 2000
Carrabba's Italian Grill was founded in 1986 by the Carrabba family as an Italian casual dining concept focused on authentic Italian cuisine and wood-grilled preparations. The brand developed a reputation for offering high-quality Italian food in a casual, family-friendly atmosphere that appealed to customers seeking quality Italian dining experiences. This founding vision demonstrated exceptional insight into the growing demand for authentic Italian cuisine in a casual dining setting while establishing a distinctive brand identity that would define the casual Italian dining segment for generations.
The brand expanded throughout the 1990s, establishing itself as a significant player in the casual Italian dining segment. This period of growth demonstrated Carrabba's Italian Grill's ability to scale operations while maintaining consistent food quality and service standards across multiple locations and market conditions.
In 2000, Bloomin' Brands acquired Carrabba's Italian Grill, adding it to its growing portfolio of casual dining concepts. This acquisition marked Bloomin' Brands' strategic expansion into the casual Italian dining segment. The strategic acquisition demonstrated Bloomin' Brands' exceptional ability to identify and acquire restaurant brands with strong brand equity while providing the resources necessary for continued growth and operational excellence.
Under Bloomin' Brands ownership, Carrabba's Italian Grill has continued to innovate with menu offerings while maintaining its focus on Italian cuisine and wood-grilled preparations. The brand has expanded both domestically and internationally, becoming a leader in the casual Italian dining segment. Today, Carrabba's Italian Grill operates over 200 locations globally and serves millions of customers annually. This sustained success demonstrates Carrabba's Italian Grill's ability to adapt to changing consumer preferences while maintaining the core brand values that have defined its success since its founding.
About Bloomin' Brands Inc.
Who owns Bloomin' Brands?
Bloomin' Brands is an independent publicly traded company with no parent company. The company trades on NASDAQ under BLMN and is owned by institutional investors and individual shareholders.
What restaurants does Bloomin' Brands own?
Bloomin' Brands owns Outback Steakhouse, Bonefish Grill, Carrabba's Italian Grill, and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse.
Is Bloomin' Brands publicly traded?
Yes. Bloomin' Brands trades on NASDAQ under the ticker symbol BLMN. The company went public in 2012.
What is Bloomin' Brands' turnaround strategy?
In November 2025, Bloomin' Brands announced a formal turnaround strategy focused on menu simplification, operational improvements, and cost reduction to address same-restaurant sales declines and margin pressure.
When was Bloomin' Brands founded?
The company traces its origins to 1988, when Chris Sullivan, Bob Basham, Tim Gannon, and Trudy Cooper opened the first Outback Steakhouse in Tampa, Florida. The holding company Bloomin' Brands went public in 2012.
How many restaurants does Bloomin' Brands operate?
Bloomin' Brands operates over 1,450 restaurants across its four brands in 46 states, Guam, and approximately 12 countries.
- Founded: 1988
- Headquarters: Tampa, Florida, USA
- Company Type: Publicly Traded
- Stock: NASDAQ: BLMN
Where Is Carrabba's Italian Grill Made / Based?
- Headquarters: Tampa, Florida, USA
- Manufacturing / Operations: United States, Canada
Brands Owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
- Bonefish Grill - American casual dining seafood and grill restaurant chain owned by Bloomin' Bran...
- Fleming's Prime Steakhouse - American fine dining steakhouse chain specializing in premium steaks and upscale...
- Outback Steakhouse - American casual dining steakhouse chain with Australian theme, owned by Bloomin'...
Carrabba's Italian Grill Ownership: Pros & Cons
Advantages
- +Global casual dining network providing extensive market reach
- +Strong brand recognition in the casual Italian dining segment
- +Operational support and resources from Bloomin' Brands' shared services
- +Established supply chain and purchasing power
- +Continuous innovation in menu development
- +Significant scale in casual Italian dining segment
Considerations
- -Franchise model creates variability in restaurant quality and service
- -Intense competition in the casual dining and Italian food industry
- -Dependence on Bloomin' Brands' strategic decisions and resource allocation
- -Health concerns associated with casual dining consumption
- -Market saturation in some regions affecting growth potential
- -Changing consumer preferences toward healthier dining options
Frequently Asked Questions About Carrabba's Italian Grill
Competitors to Carrabba's Italian Grill
These competing brands operate in the same categories and provide similar products or services. Compare key attributes to understand market positioning and competitive landscape.
| Brand | Parent Company | Country | Founded | Market Position | Primary Market | Gender Target |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spur Corporation | South Africa | 1987 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Famous Brands | South Africa | 1991 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Hooters Of America | USA | 1983 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Famous Brands | South Africa | 1992 | Mass Market | Global | All Genders | |
| Darden Restaurants | USA | 1982 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders | |
| Bloomin Brands | USA | 1988 | Mass Market | North America | All Genders |
Learn More About Competitors

John Dory's
Owned by Spur Corporation Limited
South African seafood casual dining restaurant chain, owned by Spur Corporation Limited.

Debonairs Pizza
Owned by Famous Brands Limited
South African pizza casual dining restaurant chain, owned by Famous Brands Limited.

Hooters
Owned by Hooters of America, LLC
American casual dining restaurant chain known for its seafood and American cuisine, featuring a distinctive brand identity.

Mugg & Bean
Owned by Famous Brands Limited
South African coffee shop and casual dining restaurant chain, owned by Famous Brands Limited.

Olive Garden Italian Restaurant
Owned by Darden Restaurants Inc.
American casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Italian-American cuisine, owned by Darden Restaurants Inc.

The Aussie Bar + Grill
Owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
Australian casual dining restaurant chain specializing in Australian cuisine and beer offerings, owned by Bloomin' Brands Inc.
Competitive Analysis
Market Positioning: Carrabba's Italian Grill competes with 6 brands in the same categories, ranging from mass market to luxury positioning.
Geographic Distribution: Competitors are headquartered across multiple regions, indicating global competition in this market segment.
Brand Heritage: Competitor brands range from established heritage brands to newer market entrants, with founding years spanning several decades.
Bloomin' Brands Inc. Stock Information
Jobs at Bloomin' Brands Inc.
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