Outback Steakhouse was founded in 1988 and is an Australian-themed restaurant with a casual atmosphere. The company’s signature food items include grilled steaks, ribs, and seafood with hearty side dishes. It’s well-known appetizer, the “Bloomin’ onion,” is a 1-lb onion that is sliced open from the center, battered, and then deep fried and served with a mayonnaise-horseradish sauce. Food is made from fresh ingredients, hot, and cooked to order for the customers. They carry Coca-Cola fountain products and seasonal Australian beers and wines as beverages. Desserts include an assortment of both hot and cold treats. Meals may be eaten in the restaurant or ordered for curb-side pickup by phone or online.

This brand has a strong brand following of their restaurants and fosters repeat customers through their “Outback Rewards” program. Customers can enter codes from their receipts online after visiting a location to accumulate points that can be redeemed for rewards such as gift certificates or free food upon their next visit.

Typically sized at 4,000 to 6,000 square feet, most restaurant locations have seating for 170 to 250 guests at a single time. The locations feature separate bar and dining areas. Interior design portrays a relaxed atmosphere filled with rich dark woods and comfortable large booths and spacious tables. Wall decor features Australian memorabilia, aboriginal artwork, and Australian wildlife to lend to the “outback” feel.

Outback Steakhouse restaurants are owned by OSI Restaurant Partners based out of Tampa, Florida, in the United States. This restaurant chain has over one thousand locations across the United States as well as locations in over 22 additional countries including Canada, Hong Kong, Mexico, Brazil, Australia, Japan, South Korea, Israel, and the United Kingdom. Other chains owned by OSI Restaurant Partners include Carraba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill, Roy’s Restaurant, and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse and Wine Bar.

Foreign franchise opportunities are available for Outback Steakhouse restaurants which is a leading dining choice around the world and in the United States. Currently the company is seeking primarily to expand in China, Japan, Central & Eastern Europe, Mexico, the UK, Central and South America. Franchising is not currently available in the United States.

One seeking to to become a franchisee of an Outback Steakhouse needs a number of qualifications and assets in order to do so. To purchase into the Outback Steakhouse branding, a strong proven record in the restaurant business is required. A well-founded knowledge locally of the customer needs, surrounding area, real estate, government regulations, labor management, and supply chain of a food service establishment are paramount. Additionally required is a commitment to establish four to ten restaurants in the first four years and a financial commitment to $6.5 million US dollars cash or business loan for investment minimum. OSI Restaurant Partners does not currently provide financing for their franchisees.

To guarantee that the management team of every Outback Steakhouse franchise is equipped to run the restaurant, all management is required to complete the company’s program training which includes 20-24 weeks of education and on the job training in an existing restaurant. Additionally, they provide on-site training in each new restaurant location to the staff at the opening of the business.