Outback Steakhouse

Bob Basham, Chris T. Sullivan, Trudy Cooper, and Tim Gannon opened the first Outback Steakhouse on March 15, 1988, in Tampa, Florida. The founders combined American comfort food with an Australian theme to create a casual dining experience that quickly gained traction across the United States. Today the chain operates more than 1,000 locations in 23 countries spanning North America, South America, Asia, and Australia.

The menu features steaks, chicken, ribs, fresh seafood, and its signature Bloomin' Onion appetizer. Marketing efforts emphasize Aussie hospitality while promoting value-driven offerings like the Best Steaks Ever three-course meal deal priced at $15.99. This package includes a 6-ounce center-cut sirloin, soup or salad, and a side to attract price-sensitive diners during inflationary periods.

In November 2026 Cerca Trova Restaurant Group filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after soaring food costs strained its finances. As Outback's largest U.S. franchisee holding 61 units, this event highlighted vulnerabilities in the franchise model but did not threaten the brand itself. Parent company plans to acquire assets from the bankrupt group to maintain control over key locations while the main operation remains solvent. [edit]