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Bloomin’ Brands readies standalone Aussie Grill by OutbackBloomin’ Brands readies standalone Aussie Grill by Outback

First drive-thru version of fast-casual concept to open near Tampa, Fla.

Ron Ruggless, Senior Editor

April 15, 2020

3 Min Read
Aussie Grill Front cropped
The standalone Aussie Grill by Outback is scheduled to open next month.Bloomin' Brands Inc.

Bloomin’ Brands Inc. plans to open its first standalone drive-thru version of the fast-casual Aussie Grill by Outback brand in Lutz, Fla., in May, a company spokesperson confirmed this week.

The Tampa, Fla.-based parent to Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar broke ground on the restaurant in December in Lutz, about 15 miles north of Tampa, and has been working on it during the coronavirus pandemic. It will be the third domestic unit.

The opening of the drive-thru Aussie Grill is scheduled for next month, though a firm date has not been set, a Bloomin’ Brands spokesperson said.

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The restaurant is located in Lutz, Fla., about 15 miles north of Tampa.

The Wesley Chapel restaurant will be the third Tampa Bay location, joining shopping mall locatio...

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About the Author

Ron Ruggless

Senior Editor, Nation’s Restaurant News / Restaurant Hospitality

Ron Ruggless serves as a senior editor for Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News (NRN.com) and Restaurant Hospitality (Restaurant-Hospitality.com) online and print platforms. He joined NRN in 1992 after working 10 years in various roles at the Dallas Times Herald newspaper, including restaurant critic, assistant business editor, food editor and lifestyle editor. He also edited several printings of the Zagat Dining Guide for Dallas-Fort Worth, and his articles and photographs have appeared in Food & Wine, Food Network and Self magazines. 

Ron Ruggless’ areas of expertise include foodservice mergers, acquisitions, operations, supply chain, research and development and marketing. 

Ron Ruggless is a frequent moderator and panelist at industry events ranging from the Multi-Unit Foodservice Operators (MUFSO) conference to RestaurantSpaces, the Council of Hospitality and Restaurant Trainers, the National Restaurant Association’s Marketing Executives Group, local restaurant associations and the Horeca Professional Expo in Madrid, Spain.

Ron Ruggless’ experience:

Regional and Senior Editor, Informa Connect’s Nation’s Restaurant News and Restaurant Hospitality (1992 to present)

Features Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1989-1991)

Restaurant Critic and Food Editor – Dallas Times Herald (1987-1988)

Editing Roles – Dallas Times Herald (1982-1987)

Editing Roles – Charlotte (N.C.) Observer (1980-1982)

Editing Roles – Omaha (Neb.) World-Herald (1978-1980)

Email: [email protected]

Social media:

Twitter@RonRuggless

LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/ronruggless

Instagram: @RonRuggless

TikTok: @RonRuggless

 

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