People go to Outback Steakhouse expecting a Bloomin' Onion and maybe a decent steak.
Nobody expects to leave with a lawsuit.
But a Florida man's bathroom trip at Outback took an ugly turn that has lawyers scrambling.
When a toilet becomes a courtroom issue
Michael Green walked into an Outback Steakhouse in Ocala, Florida back on March 26 looking for a meal.
What he got instead was a trip to the bathroom that ended with him on the floor.
Green filed a lawsuit against Outback Steakhouse of Florida, LLC on December 9 in Marion County court claiming the toilet in the handicap stall "suddenly shattered and collapsed" beneath him while he was using it.¹
He's seeking more than $50,000 in damages.
The lawsuit claims Green suffered "severe bodily injury" including "significant and permanent loss of an important bodily function and/or permanent and significant scarring."²
Green's attorneys at Dan Newlin & Partners aren't pulling punches about what happened.
They're accusing Outback of flat-out negligence.
The restaurant failed to maintain or inspect the toilet, failed to ensure it was properly secured to the floor, and knew or should have known about the dangerous condition, according to the complaint.
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"The restaurant knew or should have known" about the unreasonably dangerous toilet, the lawsuit states.³
Green also claims he's dealing with ongoing pain and suffering, medical expenses, and lost wages from an injury that allegedly happened nine months ago.
Outback can't afford another PR nightmare
The timing couldn't be worse for Outback.
The struggling steakhouse chain just closed 21 locations in October as part of what parent company Bloomin' Brands calls a "comprehensive turnaround strategy."⁴
That came after shuttering 41 restaurants earlier in 2024.
Texas Roadhouse and LongHorn Steakhouse have been eating Outback's lunch for years, with both chains posting steady sales growth while Outback's same-store sales have been flat or declining.
Texas Roadhouse saw sales jump 14.7% in 2024 to $5.5 billion, while Outback has struggled to generate any positive momentum.⁵
Now Bloomin' Brands is spending $75 million through 2028 trying to upgrade steak quality, remodel restaurants, and win back customers who've moved on to competitors.
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A lawsuit about a collapsing toilet is the last thing they need while trying to convince diners the chain is worth another shot.
This isn't even the first time a Florida restaurant chain got sued over a toilet disaster.
Back in 2022, a man sued Dunkin' Donuts for $50,000 after he claimed a toilet exploded at a Winter Park location, covering him in sewage.⁶
Employees at that Dunkin' allegedly told the customer they already knew about the "problem with the toilet" from previous incidents.
Sound familiar?
Restaurant industry struggles with basic maintenance
Green's lawsuit raises questions about how Outback maintains its properties when the company is bleeding money and closing locations.
The chain has shrunk from 775 locations at its peak to around 670 today.
That's a 10% decline in a decade while competitors expanded.
When restaurants cut corners on maintenance to save money, customers end up dealing with the consequences.
A broken toilet might seem like a minor issue until someone gets hurt.
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Then it becomes a lawsuit, bad publicity, and another reason for customers to choose Texas Roadhouse instead.
Outback's stock has been tanking along with customer traffic.
Parent company Bloomin' Brands saw earnings drop 30% in 2024 and had to suspend shareholder dividends to fund the turnaround plan.⁷
The chain is banking on upgraded steaks and remodeled restaurants to bring back the crowds.
But if they can't keep toilets properly secured to the floor, all the menu improvements in the world won't matter.
Customers notice when basic maintenance gets ignored.
And now one customer in Florida is making sure Outback pays attention.
¹ Michael Green v. Outback Steakhouse of Florida, LLC, Lawsuit filed December 9, 2025, Fifth Judicial Circuit Court for Marion County.
² Ibid.
³ Ibid.
⁴ "Outback abruptly closed 21 restaurants," CNN Business, November 6, 2025.
⁵ "Texas Roadhouse rival shuts down several restaurant locations," TheStreet, October 31, 2025.
⁶ "Florida man sues Dunkin' over toilet 'explosion,'" ClickOrlando, January 4, 2024.
⁷ "4 Signs Outback Steakhouse Is Struggling," Mashed, December 6, 2025.
