Nine Outback Steakhouse branches shut down amidst customer complaints

Sunday marked the closure of nine Outback Steakhouse restaurants in Hong Kong, which accounts for half of their 19 locations in the city.

At the Whampoa branch, crowds of customers lined up outside the restaurant to enjoy their final meals before its closure. 

A resident surnamed Chu, who had just become a member two months ago, felt the closure was poorly handled and criticized the restaurant chain for accepting new members before closing its branches.

Another resident, Tse, said he and his wife had celebrated their first Valentine's Day at the restaurant after moving to Whampoa, and their 3-year-old daughter was disappointed by the news of its closing.

The steakhouse announced last week that it will close branches in Tsuen Wan, Causeway Bay, Wan Chai, Tuen Mun, Kowloon Bay, Tseung Kwan O, Tsim Sha Tsui, and Hung Hom after "carefully considering market conditions, operation costs and strategic direction of the company."

Approximately 300 employees were affected by the closures, and the company has pledged to provide them with full respect and care.

The steakhouse added that the remaining ten branches will continue operating as usual and remain committed to serving the Hong Kong market.