Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. Reports Results of 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders

TAMPA, FL — April 24, 2026 — Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. (NASDAQ: BLMN), the parent company of Outback Steakhouse and other restaurant brands, has released the official results of its 2026 Annual Meeting of Stockholders held on April 22, 2026. The meeting addressed several key items that are material to investors and could have implications for the company’s strategic direction, governance, and share value.

Key Highlights from the Annual Meeting

• Director Elections:
  • All nine director nominees were elected to serve one-year terms expiring at the 2027 annual meeting. This confirms continuity in the company’s leadership and board oversight.
• Ratification of Independent Auditor:
  • Stockholders ratified the appointment of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP as the company’s independent registered public accounting firm for fiscal year 2026. This supports ongoing financial transparency and oversight.
• Executive Compensation:
  • The compensation of the company’s named executive officers was approved on a non-binding advisory basis. This “say-on-pay” vote reflects shareholder support for Bloomin’ Brands’ executive pay practices.
• Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan:
  • Shareholders approved the Amended and Restated Bloomin’ Brands, Inc. 2025 Omnibus Incentive Compensation Plan. This plan is vital for attracting and retaining key talent and may impact future share-based compensation expense, which can influence earnings per share dilution.
• Shareholder Proposals:
  • Employee Retention Demographics Disclosure:
    • A shareholder proposal seeking additional disclosures on employee retention demographics was not approved. The defeat of this proposal maintains the status quo regarding workforce transparency, which may be notable for ESG-focused investors.
  • Blank-Check Preferred Stock:
    • Shareholders approved a proposal regarding the issuance of “blank-check” preferred stock. This is a significant development, as it gives the Board the authority to issue preferred shares at its discretion, potentially for financing, strategic acquisitions, or defense against hostile takeovers. The flexibility provided by this approval could be price-sensitive, as it may affect the company’s capital structure, future dilution, and strategic options.

Detailed Voting Results

Shareholder Takeaways & Potential Price Sensitivity

• Blank-Check Preferred Stock Approval: This is the most potentially price-sensitive outcome. Granting the Board discretion to issue preferred stock could facilitate future financing or strategic actions, but may also lead to dilution of existing shareholders or be used in anti-takeover measures. Investors should monitor future Board actions related to these new powers.
• Stable Leadership & Compensation Practices: The re-election of all directors and approval of executive compensation signal investor confidence in current management and governance.
• Ongoing Shareholder Engagement: The defeat of the employee demographics disclosure proposal suggests investors, for now, are satisfied with Bloomin’ Brands’ current ESG disclosures. However, the topic remains a focus for some institutional shareholders and may resurface.

Company Profile & Key Facts

• Exchange: NASDAQ (Global Select Market)
• Trading Symbol: BLMN
• Common Stock Par Value: \$0.01/share
• Shares Outstanding & Voting: 75,618,251 shares represented at meeting (88.71% of shares eligible to vote)
• Headquarters: 2202 North West Shore Boulevard, Suite 500, Tampa, FL 33607

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice. Please consult your financial adviser before making any investment decisions. The author and publisher are not responsible for any actions taken based on the information provided herein.

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