Outback Steakhouse opened in Tampa in 1988 and now runs more restaurants than any other Bloomin’ Brands concept. Bloomin’ Onion, an onion battered and fried whole, went on the card that first year. None of the four founders had ever visited Australia.
Outback Steakhouse History below covers the founders, the onion and the parent company that took its name. Bloomin’ Brands still runs the group from the city where the first restaurant opened. The priced menu, the off-menu builds, the allergen list and the bar deals each sit on their own page.
Outback Steakhouse History
Chris Sullivan, Bob Basham, Tim Gannon and Trudy Cooper opened the first restaurant on South Dale Mabry Highway in Tampa in March 1988. Chris Sullivan and Bob Basham had run Chili’s franchises in Florida beforehand, while Gannon brought a New Orleans kitchen background. Four locations were the whole ambition at the time.
The Australian theme followed the Crocodile Dundee years rather than any personal tie, since none of the four had been there. Gannon carried the battered onion up from a New Orleans restaurant, where chef Jeff Glowski had built the first one in 1985. Bloomin’ Onion has held its place on the card ever since.
Outback Steakhouse, Inc. listed on the market in 1991 with 49 restaurants, became OSI Restaurant Partners in 2006, then went private a year later. The holding company took the Bloomin’ Brands name and returned to the market in August 2012. Bonefish Grill, Carrabba’s and Fleming’s sit alongside it, though Outback outnumbers all three combined.
Outback Steakhouse Menus and Details
Outback Steakhouse splits its detail across four pages: the priced menu, the off-menu builds, the allergen list and the bar deals. Every figure comes from one published source rather than a blend, so a number here will not disagree with one there.
Outback Steakhouse Menu Prices
Steaks, combos, chicken, ribs, seafood, salads, sides, desserts and drinks, each carrying its calorie figure beside the item. Read the full Outback Steakhouse Menu with Prices and Calories.
Outback Steakhouse Secret Menu
Off-menu builds regulars assemble from the standard card, each with the wording to use at the table. Read the Outback Steakhouse Secret Menu.
Outback Steakhouse Allergen Menu
Which steaks, starters, sides and desserts declare wheat, milk, egg, soy, fish or shellfish, item by item. Read the Outback Steakhouse Allergen Menu.
Outback Steakhouse Happy Hour
Which drinks and starters drop during the afternoon window, the days it runs and where the offer applies. Read the Outback Steakhouse Happy Hour.