It's a sad day for steak lovers living in China. All branches of Outback Steakhouse located in Shanghai, Suzhou and Hangzhou closed down suddenly last week, Shine reports.

Notices were posted on the doors of all locations on May 16 announcing that the restaurants would be immediately shuttered. According to a notice by Xuanmei Food and Beverage (Shanghai) Co. Ltd., the move is part of a new business strategy.



A total of six Outback restaurants were closed in Shanghai and three more shut down in Suzhou and Hangzhou.

As mentioned in the notice, anyone who has an unused cash voucher for the restaurant can contact service@outbacksteakhouse.com.cn anytime before July 31.



Meanwhile, it's looking very unlikely that Outback's reported South China debut will be happening. A Guangzhou branch of the restaurant has been listed as "opening soon" on popular Yelp-like review platform Dianping since late 2017.

[Images via Shanghai hundred percent]