Red Lobster Unveils New Menu; CEO Makes Stop on TODAY Show

Red Lobster’s new CEO, Damola Adamolekun, appeared on TODAY earlier this week to promote the seafood chain’s new menu and discuss its future as Red Lobster moves past its bankruptcy.

“Relevant, compelling and exciting is what we want Red Lobster to be for the future, and so we’re working on that now,” Adamolekun told TODAY’s Savannah Sellers.

In hopes of achieving that goal, Red Lobster debuted a new TV spot highlighting the new menu, which features seven new menu options, including...

Red Lobster Names New Chief Operating Officer

The reshuffling of seafood chain Red Lobster’s executive leadership continues with the addition of Larry Konecny as the company’s new Chief Operating Officer (COO). Konecny will be tasked with leading the operational strategy of the brand’s 545 restaurants across the U.S. and Canada.

Reporting directly to CEO Damola Adamolekun, the company announced he will drive initiatives to deliver elevated food quality, customer service, and operational efficiency while fostering a culture rooted in teamwork and excellence.

"Larry brings an exceptional combination of operational expertise, a passion for developing high-performing teams...

Red Lobster Adds to Exec Team with New Chief Marketing Officer

Red Lobster announced the appointment of Nichole Robillard as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO).

Robillard will oversee the company’s marketing, communications, and culinary teams, reporting directly to CEO Damola Adamolekun. She will play a key role in shaping the future of the brand across Red Lobster's 545 restaurants in the United States and Canada.

The move comes alongside Bob Baker's appointment as Chief Financial Officer as the brand turns the page post-bankruptcy, as SeafoodNews covered earlier this week.

"Nichole's ability to blend creative vision...

Red Lobster Emerges from Bankruptcy, Officially Names New CEO

Red Lobster has closed the book on its bankruptcy and enters a new era with a new captain at the helm.

The seafood restaurant chain announced its exit from Chapter 11 bankruptcy and the completion of its acquisition by RL Investor Holdings LLC. The firm also officially announced Damola Adamolekun as its new CEO.

Earlier this month, a federal court approved Red Lobster’s bankruptcy plan, paving the way for RL Investor Holdings to snatch up the company and keep its over 500 locations in operation, along with the...

Court Approves Red Lobster Bankruptcy Plan; Over 500 Restaurants to Survive

Seafood restaurant chain Red Lobster announced that it has received court approval for its Chapter 11 bankruptcy plan.

As part of the plan, RL Investor Holdings will acquire the chain. RL Investor Holdings is an entity created by funds managed by  affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC, alongside co-investors TCW Private Credit and Blue Torch.

The deal is expected to close by the end of this month, per a statement from Red Lobster.

The sale also means that Red Lobster will remain an independent company with 544...

Red Lobster Bankruptcy: Latest Court Docs Reveal New $3.7 Million Claim From Thai Union

According to recent court documents filed by Thai Union in Red Lobster’s chapter 11 bankruptcy case, the seafood restaurant chain owes them approximately $3.7 million.

Red Lobster voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code in the US. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida this past May. The news came shortly after the chain abruptly closed a staggering amount of restaurants and engaged in a public liquidation of select restaurants. 

Since filing for bankruptcy, Red Lobster has...

Red Lobster’s Crabfest Menu Features “Secret” Flavor Flav Entree 

Red Lobster’s Crabfest menu is expanding with yet another new addition to the lineup: “Flavor Flav’s Faves.” Say that 10 times fast. But there’s a catch. It’s an “off-menu meal,” meaning that it’s a secret menu item that you have to specifically ask your server for. 

In honor of the rapper/ reality TV star and his public devotion for the struggling seafood restaurant, Red Lobster has dropped its limited time “secret menu meal.” The Flavor Flav’s Faves entree features a Maine lobster tail, paired with...

Crabfest May Be Back At Red Lobster, But It’s Not The Same As Years Past

Even a bankruptcy filing can’t stop Red Lobster from bringing back Crabfest. The financially embroiled restaurant chain — with the help of rapper and reality TV star Flavor Flav — used the guest-favorite dining event to remind fans that despite the Chapter 11 bankruptcy, they can still enjoy seafood from their local Red Lobster. But this isn’t the same Crabfest as years past.

Red Lobster is known for its limited time promotional events, from Lobsterfest to Summerfest and...

Red Lobster Bankruptcy: Thai Union’s Role In Endless Shrimp-Gate Being Investigated

As the majority owner of Red Lobster, Thai Union executives have been speaking out for months about the financial issues surrounding the seafood restaurant chain. And now, following a Chapter 11 Bankruptcy filing, it’s Red Lobster CEO Jonathan Tibus’ turn to spill the proverbial tea.

Tibus is relatively new to Red Lobster, first joining as Chief Restructuring Officer in January 2024 before being named CEO just a few months later in March. As CEO, he submitted a declaration in support of the...

LISTEN: TAGeX CEO Neal Sherman Talks Media Attention Surrounding Red Lobster Liquidation And More

Join Seafoodnews Podcast hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione as they welcome Neal Sherman, the CEO and founder of TAGeX, a company that has been a resource for businesses in all stages of facility and equipment lifecycle since 1987. TAGeX made headlines this week with the announcement that they were handling the Red Lobster equipment liquidation auctions. And Neal joins the Seafoodnews Podcast to share insight on how those auctions went.

A Timeline Of Red Lobster Leading Up To May 2024 Liquidation Of Select Restaurants

The largest seafood chain in the U.S. is now part of the “largest restaurant liquidation ever.”

Red Lobster, which has over 700 locations around the world, has been struggling in recent months. And on Tuesday the extent of the seafood chain’s financial issues became apparent when a facility and equipment liquidation company called TAGeX revealed that it would be auctioning off the equipment and contents of select locations this week.

“People have heard about the closure of select...

The Winding Glass: What the Decline of Red Lobster Means for the U.S. Seafood Industry

The possible bankruptcy of Red Lobster is a watershed moment for the seafood industry.

Last month Bloomberg reported that Red Lobster may file for bankruptcy. This follows the announcement in January that Thai Union was ending its losing investment in Red Lobster and taking a $530 million write down.

A Red Lobster bankruptcy and restructuring would be a watershed event. Red Lobster used to be a colossus. During its heyday of rapid expansion and increasing sales in...

REPORT: Red Lobster Considering Filing For Chapter 11 Bankruptcy

Bloomberg reports that Red Lobster is considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. According to the outlet, sources close to the situation say that the seafood restaurant chain is looking to restructure its debt.

Red Lobster’s financial troubles have been well documented — most recently with the “successful” Endless Shrimp promotion, which resulted in the chain losing millions of dollars. In November Red Lobster posted an operating loss of more than $11 million in Q3, calling the Endless Shrimp offering a “key factor” in the loss...

Red Lobster Brings Back New Endless Promotion Following Endless Shrimp Loss 

Lobsterfest is back at Red Lobster. And seafood lovers have endless opportunities to get in on the fun. 

Red Lobster’s first-ever nationwide Endless Lobster Experience is officially underway. It’s an opportunity for 150 guests across the U.S. to enjoy all-you-can-eat lobster. The promotion follows last year's one-day-only Endless Lobster Event in New York City. Guests at the Times Square restaurant got to sink their claws into as many 1 ¼ pound Live Maine lobsters as they could handle. 

This year, each winning...

Thai Union Is Exiting Its Minority Investment in Red Lobster. Here’s Why.

Last March reports began to surface that Thai Union was considering exiting from their Red Lobster investment. Thai Union CEO Thiraphong Chansiri was quick to respond, saying that comments made by him were misconstrued. But now, less than a year later, Thai Union says that they do intend to “pursue an exit of its minority investment in Red Lobster.”

“The combination of COVID-19 pandemic, sustained industry headwinds, higher interest rates and rising material and labor costs have impacted Red Lobster, resulting in prolonged negative financial contributions to...

Bob Baker Named CFO of Red Lobster Amid Company’s Turnaround Efforts

Red Lobster has appointed Bob Baker as the company’s new Chief Financial Officer (CFO), a veteran C-suite executive in the foodservice industry. Baker will report to CEO Damola Adamolekun as part of the company's executive leadership team.

"Bob brings not only deep financial expertise but also a passion for restaurant operations," said Adamolekun. "His wealth of experience gained across the restaurant industry, combined with his hands-on approach, will be invaluable as we continue to position Red Lobster for long-term growth...

FTC Warns Top U.S. Seafood Chains About Misleading "Locally Caught" Claims

An official with the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warned the top seafood restaurants in the U.S. about falsely advertising their menu items as locally caught.

Commissioner Alvaro Bedoya wrote in a letter to top ten highest grossing seafood chains including Red Lobster, Long John Silver’s and Legal Sea Foods, stating that customers deserve to know that they are being offered genuine wild-caught American seafood - and when they are being offered something else.

“To that end, I am writing to relay recent guidance from Federal... 

Red Lobster Wants to Unite America Through Cheddar Bay Biscuits; Offering Chance to Win Free Seafood

Red Lobster launched the ‘Cheddar Bay 2024’ campaign, which aims to unite all parties ahead of the 2024 U.S. Presidential election through its fan favorite, Cheddar Bay Biscuits. The company said the “bite-partisan campaign,” admittedly a clever pun, can rally everyone, at least for a short time, at the dinner table.

Alongside the campaign, Red Lobster said that guests will have the chance to win free Red Lobster for four years, or a presidential term. Starting on September 9 through November 10...

Red Lobster Has A New Owner In Fortress Credit Corp.

Say hello to Red Lobster’s new owner: RL Purchaser, a stalking horse bidder composed of Red Lobster lenders and controlled by Fortress Credit Corp.

The fate of seafood restaurant chain Red Lobster has been hanging in the balance since Thai Union announced late last year that it would be exiting its minority investment in the restaurant. Financially struggling due to losses related to COVID, and then the Ultimate Endless Shrimp promotion, Red Lobster ended up shuttering locations before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection this...

Shrimp Is The Star Of The Show This Summer

Summer is the perfect season to enjoy seafood. And while seafood boils and lobster rolls are always popular menu items, it wouldn’t be summer without a sizzling shrimp dish. And based on seasonal promotions it seems that all different types of restaurant chains agree. 

Brazilian Steakhouse Texas de Brazil, which serves all-you-can-eat grilled meat, does not typically offer seafood. However, the restaurant, which has 54 locations, has added two shrimp dishes to their third quarter menu.

For a limited time guests will be able to...

PODCAST: Silver Bay To Acquire Another Trident Facility; Red Lobster Brings Back Crabfest and More

Join Seafoodnews Podcast hosts Amanda Buckle and Lorin Castiglione as they talk about the big stories from the last week, including Silver Bay’s acquisition of Trident’s False Pass facility and the return of Red Lobster’s Crabfest. Plus, find out what fish is making a splash in Major League Baseball.

Remember the Good Times: Red Lobster Encourages Customers To Stick With Them Through Bankruptcy

Red Lobster is finally addressing its customers after filing for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy on May 19. On Tuesday evening a letter was sent out to the seafood chain’s “valued guests,” and it really pulls at the heartstrings.

The letter states: “For more than five decades Red Lobster has been a part of your family’s life. We’ve been there for your celebrations, big and small. We may be the place that you first discovered your love of seafood. Or where you met...

Everything We Know About Red Lobster’s Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Filing

Red Lobster Management confirmed on Sunday that the company has “voluntarily filed for relief under Chapter 11 of the Bankruptcy Code” in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Middle District of Florida. 

Reports of a possible bankruptcy filing have been swirling for months and intensified last week when news broke that the seafood restaurant chain closed and vacated 93 locations. Now the bankruptcy filing is official, with the company intending to use the proceedings to “drive operational improvements, simplify the business through a reduction in locations, and pursue a...

VIDEO: Red Lobster Closures; Gulf of St. Lawrence Grid Closures; New Atlantic Sapphire CEO

Urner Barry seafood market reporters Lorin Castiglione and Josh Bickert host the latest episode of the Seafoodnews Weekly Video. Watch as Lorin and Josh break down the top stories of the week, from the shocking closure of a number of Red Lobster locations, to updates on fishing out of the Gulf of St. Lawrence and more...

Red Lobster Abruptly Closes 48 Restaurants, As Revealed By Equipment Liquidation Company 

In a surprising twist of events, 48 Red Lobster restaurants have closed — some reportedly without notice to their employees.

Red Lobster’s financial woes have been well documented over the recent months. But this week a facility and equipment liquidation company called TAGeX shocked everyone when it revealed that select Red Lobster locations have closed and that they are auctioning off the entire contents of these restaurants. 

TAGeX has a total of 48 Red Lobster locations listed on their website, but text on the page also states they are “auctioning off 50+ locations across the country.”

Thai Union Confirms In Financial Results That They Expect Red Lobster Sale To Be Completed This Year

Thai Union has released its financial results for Q1 of 2024, for the three month period ending March 31, 2024. While the report is full of wins for the seafood giant —particularly in the PetCare side of its business—all eyes are on updates regarding Thai Union’s exit from Red Lobster.

As previously reported by Seafoodnews, the company made a decision to exit its minority investment in the seafood restaurant chain in the fourth quarter of 2023.

“The combination of...

Thai Union Provides Update on Red Lobster in Q4 Results Amid Exit From Seafood Chain

Thai Union released its Q4 2023 results, shedding more light on the seafood giant’s decision to sell its stake in Red Lobster.

As SeafoodNews reported last month, Thai Union confirmed that they intend to “pursue an exit of its minority investment in Red Lobster.”

“The combination of COVID-19 pandemic, sustained industry headwinds, higher interest rates and rising material and labor costs have impacted Red Lobster, resulting in prolonged negative financial contributions to Thai Union and its shareholders,” Thai Union CEO Thiraphong Chansiri said...

VIDEO: Thai Union Exits Red Lobster; Snow Crab Price Formula; King Oscar Tinned Salmon

Join SeafoodNews Senior Editor Amanda Buckle and Urner Barry Seafood Market Reporter Josh Bickert as they take a look at the top stories of the week, including Thai Union's decision to exit Red Lobster; the NL snow crab price formula; and King Oscar's new tinned salmon.

This episode of the SeafoodNews Weekly Video is brought to you by Urner Barry’s Reporter Magazine. The winter 2024 edition of Urner Barry's Reporter magazine is the final issue going to print. Don't miss the farewell to our long-running...

Red Lobster Launches New Crispy Salt & Vinegar Shrimp

New year, new flavor for Red Lobster. The seafood chain announced this week that for a limited time guests can enjoy their new crispy Salt & Vinegar Shrimp.

Described as “perfectly crunchy” with a “tangy vinegar twist,” this new offering is available as part of Red Lobster’s Shrimp Your Way deal.

The Shrimp Your Way deal launched in August. Guests who take advantage of the deal can select up to four shrimp dishes served with their choice of any two sides. Original shrimp offerings included the new Crispy Dragon Shrimp...