An Outback Steakhouse franchise operator has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in the United States. The 61 restaurants it operates are continuing to serve customers, according to parent company Bloomin’ Brands. That distinction matters if a headline has left you wondering whether every one of those locations is closing.

What happened this week?

Out West Restaurant Group, also known as Cerca Trova, and affiliated companies filed for Chapter 11 on November 2, 2026. The operator runs 61 Outback restaurants in the western United States. In its official SEC filing, Bloomin’ Brands said it expected no immediate impact on their day-to-day operations.

Bloomin’ Brands also disclosed an agreement, dated November 1, to buy the assets for a base price of $26.3 million. Court approval and other conditions still apply, so the proposed purchase should not be treated as a completed deal.

Why are closures appearing in the coverage?

Nation’s Restaurant News reported that the franchisee had already closed ten restaurants ahead of the filing, after three earlier closures this year. Those closures are separate from the 61 operating restaurants described in the current filing. Restaurant Dive also reported on the bankruptcy and proposed purchase.

What should diners check?

For a particular restaurant, check its own current hours or contact the location before making a trip. The filing concerns this US franchise operator; it does not establish that all Outback restaurants, including those outside the United States, are closing.

Be careful with older closure lists, too. Bloomin’ Brands’ November 2025 announcement about 21 closures and 22 leases it would not renew was a separate company-wide update, not a new list of 61 closures in November 2026.