Carrabba's names new division president

Carrabba’s Italian Grill, a unit of Tampa-based Bloomin’ Brands, recently announced the appointment of new leadership. Kelia Bazile was recently promoted to president and will oversee approximately 190 Carrabba’s locations, the majority of which are in Florida, according to its website. 

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“Kelia has a proven track record of creating and maintaining high executional standards that drive sales and a warm guest experience,” says Mike Spanos, CEO of Bloomin’ Brands, Inc in a released statement. “She builds strong teams with a hospitality-first mindset and is a true servant leader.”

Bazile began her career as an hourly team member at Taco Bell in 1984 and worked her way up the corporate ladder of Yum! Brands, eventually overseeing 170 Taco Bell and KFC restaurants along the Gulf Coast in Texas, according to Bloomin’ Brands.

After 28 years, she joined Carrabba’s as a joint venture partner in 2012. She has since served as regional vice president and vice president of operations. She was briefly at Bonefish Grill as vice president of operations in 2024 before taking on her current position, the release states.

Carrabba's’ Italian Grill was founded by Johnny Carrabba and Damian Mandola in Houston, Texas in 1986 and was acquired by Bloomin' Brands, then known as Outback Steakhouse Inc, in 1995. Bloomin’ Brands began as a single Outback Steakhouse restaurant in Tampa in 1988 and has since grown to a portfolio that includes 1,450 restaurants across four brands- Outback Steakhouse, Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming's Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar.