By Jordan Lawrence
jordan@lexingtonchronicle.com
Another change is coming to a popular row of restaurants near one of Columbia’s main shopping complexes, while one national chain is giving way to another in Lexington.
Rioz Brazilian Steakhouse, located at 419 Columbiana Dr. (down the street from the Columbiana Centre mall) and part of a small South Carolina chain, is rebranding to become Braza Do Sul, though it will still operate as a Brazilian steakhouse.
“We are thrilled to announce a significant milestone in our evolution as a company,” the restaurant posted to Facebook Feb. 3 with a photo of the building bearing a new sign. “As part of our unwavering dedication to growth and excellence, we have embarked on a rebranding initiative. This new chapter promises to elevate our promise of delivering exceptional experiences for our valued guests. We assure our new name change will not impact our steadfast commitment to quality, service, and culinary excellence. We look forward to continuing our journey alongside you, embracing new opportunities and possibilities together.”
The restaurant hasn’t mentioned any specific changes to the menu and concept as part of the rebrand. As Rioz, it offered a traditional Brazilian steakhouse experience, with a flat cost for diners to enjoy a rotating array of meats delivered to their table.
The Columbia restaurant, which has operated in its spot in the Harbison area since 2013, had two sister Rioz locations in the Myrtle Beach area. For the time being, it appears that the other two Rioz restaurants will not be changing their name.
All of those Rioz restaurants are owned by the Hometown Hospitality Group, which has a variety of restaurant concepts strewn across the state along with a couple locations in Georgia. Two of the group’s other concepts, Liberty Tap Room and Kaminsky’s Dessert Cafe, also have locations in the Columbia area.
The rebranding marks another recent change for the row of restaurants that also features a Carrabba's Italian Grill, a Texas Roadhouse and a Miyabi Japanese Steakhouse. Willie Sue’s Food and Spirits closed its Columbia location there in September 2022, with the space still seeking a new tenant, while the Japanese steakhouse Yamato closed after nearly 50 years in January.
Outback to replace Lexington O’Charley’s
In Lexington, the former O’Charley’s Restaurant & Bar at 5595 Sunset Blvd. has been torn down, with a sign posted indicating what has long been rumored: It will be replaced by an Outback Steakhouse.
The sign now posted at the road as of Feb. 5 proclaims that KTM Builders is constructing the new Outback along Lexington’s bustling Sunset Boulevard corridor. Another high-profile addition is already in progress across the street, as Sully’s Steamers is finishing its build-out as part of the extensive renovation of Kitty's Korner, formerly anchored by Kitty's Hallmark Shop, which closed in July 2022.
Outback, the ubiquitous Australian-themed chain famed for its Bloomin’ Onion appetizers, has one other location in Lexington County (at 252 F Harbison Blvd.) and another in Columbia at 7611 Two Notch Rd. According to its website, there are 22 Outback Steakhouses in South Carolina and 694 nationwide.
Bloomin' Brands, which owns Outback along with national brands Carrabba’s Italian Grill, Bonefish Grill and Fleming’s Prime Steakhouse & Wine Bar, reported in November that it has 1,450 restaurants in 47 states, Guam and 13 countries, some of these being franchise locations.
The O’Charley’s on Sunset Boulevard closed in 2022.
