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Red Lobster is turning to millennial leadership to bring in younger guests, which the chain needs after closing more than 100 of its 640 restaurants earlier this year. Red Lobster has since emerged from bankruptcy, ushering in a new era for the once-major seafood chain. But the deal was costly for Red Lobster — the company lost $11 million from that promotion alone, according to court documents. Thai Union announced in January that it would begin a complete exit from Red Lobster. Now, Red Lobster is trying to balance keeping its loyal customers while trying to shake its stodgy image to attract younger ones.

Persons: who's, Adamolekun, Hottovy, Read, Jim Salera, Fortress, Caitlin Daniel, isn't Organizations: Fortress Investment, NBC, Stephens, Thai Union, Harvard University Locations: Placer.ai

☆ Red Lobster is a mess. Here’s why the new 35-year-old CEO wanted the job anyway
▼ + stars: | 2024-10-04 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

Red Lobster's new chief executive Damola Adamolekun during an interview with CNN at a Red Lobster in Long Island, New York, last week. CNNIn Springfield, he first ate at a Red Lobster with his parents and two siblings after church one Sunday. Red Lobster was where he, like millions of Americans, experienced eating lobster and cracking crab legs for the first time. Beyoncé sang about taking a romantic partner to Red Lobster in her 2016 hit song “Formation.”After Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy, Flava Flav ordered the whole menu to try to save the company. Red Lobster closed more than 100 restaurants this year, including a location in Orlando, Florida, shown this year.

Persons: Damola Adamolekun, “, ” Adamolekun, It’s, ”, Adamolekun, Bill Darden, Mills, Chris Rock, Nicki Minaj, Beyoncé, Flav, “ Mr, ” —, Kevin Lamarque, Clarence Otis Jr, RJ Hottovy, Hottovy, Adamolekun’s, ” Hottovy, ’, Red, Phelan M, can’t, John Paulson, Paulson, P.F, Chang’s, Morgan McClure, Fortress, ” McClure, Brandon Bell, isn’t Organizations: New, New York CNN, CNN, Fortress Investment, Fortress, Red, Boomers, Darden, Thai Union Group, Former Red Lobster, Thai Union, As Thai Union, Thai, Brown University, Harvard Business School, Paulson & Co Locations: New York, Long, , New York, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Netherlands, Springfield , Illinois, United States, Long Island , New York, Springfield, America, Alexandria , Virginia, Olive, Thai Union, Thai, Orlando , Florida, P.F, Chang’s, Columbia , Maryland, New York City, Scottsdale , Arizona, Austin , Texas

☆ I went to Red Lobster and saw why the chain has struggled — and what it could change
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-15 | by ( Alex Bitter | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Red Lobster says that it will emerge from bankruptcy later this month. Now, the chain has to find a new strategy to bring in customers that's not just endless shrimp. I visited a Red Lobster restaurant in the Washington, DC, area to see what dining there is like now. AdvertisementOver the past several years, restaurant chain Red Lobster has gotten attention for one thing: the promise of endless shrimp. The chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May, but Red Lobster says that it's now on track to emerge this month from bankruptcy with new ownership, a new CEO, and fewer locations.

Persons: —, Red, it's Organizations: Service, Business Locations: Washington, DC

☆ Red Lobster cleared to exit Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
▼ + stars: | 2024-09-05 | by ( Amelia Lucas | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

The exterior of a Red Lobster restaurant in Austin, Texas, on May 20, 2024. A bankruptcy court approved Red Lobster's plan to exit Chapter 11, putting the seafood chain one step closer to exiting bankruptcy. Red Lobster had struggled with increased competition, expensive leases, last year's disastrous shrimp promotion and a broader pullback in consumer spending. Current CEO Jonathan Tibus, who led the company through bankruptcy, will leave Red Lobster. "This is a great day for Red Lobster," Adamolekun said in a statement.

Persons: Damola Adamolekun, Jonathan Tibus, Adamolekun Organizations: Investor Holdings, Holdings, TCW, Fortress Investment Group Locations: Austin , Texas, Canada

☆ Red Lobster's next CEO once explained why he doesn't practice work-life balance
▼ + stars: | 2024-08-29 | by ( Jaures Yip | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Red Lobster's incoming CEO, Damola Adamolekun, said last year that he didn't have work-life balance. Chang's CEO, said he preferred to integrate work and his personal life. Go to newsletter preferences Thanks for signing up! download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementRed Lobster's newly named CEO doesn't believe in practicing work-life balance — at least for himself.

Persons: Damola Adamolekun, —, doesn't, Damola, who's, Fortune, he's Organizations: Service

☆ The 15 biggest chain restaurants in the US, ranked
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-30 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Technomic data analyzed by Nation's Restaurant News ranks the top 15 US chain restaurants. Olive Garden, Texas Roadhouse, and Applebee's lead in casual-dining chain restaurants. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementWhile fast-food and fast-casual chains dominate the industry, many casual-dining and family-style chain restaurants are also thriving. This year, there have been challenges — Red Lobster's recent bankruptcy filing sent shockwaves through the industry — and opportunities for chain restaurants, which are now competing with fast-food chains for value-driven customers.

Persons: —, — Red Organizations: Nation's Restaurant, Service, Business Locations: Olive Garden , Texas

☆ I tried Red Lobster's $30 endless shrimp for the first time. I see why the deal might have led to the chain's bankruptcy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Read previewA few weeks after Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy, I visited the chain's Times Square location to try its now-infamous Endless Shrimp promotion for the first time. Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp has quite the reputation. Customers were pleased with the deal, so in the summer of 2023, Endless Shrimp became available every day of the week. In the two quarters following the initial launch of the daily endless shrimp promotion, Red Lobster reported operating losses of $11 million and $12.5 million . Once a daily promotion, Endless Shrimp is now only available on Mondays, which is when I found myself at the revolving doors of Red Lobster's Times Square location on a hot summer night.

Persons: —, I've, it's, Ludovic Garnier, Garnier Organizations: Service, Red, chain's, Business, Customers, Lobster, Thai Union Group, Lobster's Locations: New York City

☆ I tried Red Lobster's $30 endless shrimp for the first time. I see why the deal might have contributed to the chain's bankruptcy.
▼ + stars: | 2024-06-05 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Read previewA few weeks after Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy, I visited the chain's Times Square location to try its now-infamous Endless Shrimp promotion for the first time. Red Lobster's Endless Shrimp has quite the reputation. Customers were pleased with the deal, so in the summer of 2023, Endless Shrimp became available every day of the week. In the two quarters following the initial launch of the daily endless shrimp promotion, Red Lobster reported operating losses of $11 million and $12.5 million . However, Endless shrimp isn't the only factor that led to the fall of Red Lobster.

Persons: —, I've, it's, Ludovic Garnier, Garnier, Emily Stewart Organizations: Service, Red, chain's, Business, Customers, Lobster, Thai Union Group, Lobster's Locations: New York City

☆ Red Lobster's owner once said the business left such a 'big scar' on him that he had to 'stop eating lobster'
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-27 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

His company assumed a majority stake in Red Lobster in 2020, which filed for bankruptcy in May. "Other people stop eating beef. I'm going to stop eating lobster," Chansiri said in February. AdvertisementThai Union CEO Thiraphong Chansiri, 58, might have once been a big believer in the Red Lobster seafood chain. But owning Red Lobster left such a "big scar" on Chansiri that he told investors in February that he was swearing off lobsters forever.

Persons: Thiraphong Chansiri, Chansiri, — Organizations: Thai, Service, Business

☆ How a global seafood giant broke Red Lobster
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-25 | by ( Nathaniel Meyersohn | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +15 min

Former Red Lobster employees say that while the pandemic, inflation and rent costs impacted Red Lobster, Thai Union’s ineptitude was the pivotal factor in Red Lobster’s decline. Kenny criticized Red Lobster employees at meetings and made derogatory comments about them, according to former Red Lobster leaders who worked closely with Kenny. Red Lobster’s annual customer count has dropped by 30% since 2019, Red Lobster said in its bankruptcy filing. Red Lobster employees say they were pressured by Thai Union representatives to buy more seafood from Thai Union. Thai Union representatives also began sitting in on meetings between Red Lobster and seafood suppliers, said one of the former Red Lobster employees who witnessed these conversations.

Persons: “, Ludovic Garnier, Jorge Silva, Red Lobster’s, ”, Les Foreman, Red, Thiraphong Chansiri, Angel, Feng shui, Chansiri, Amanda Mustard, Paul Kenny, Kenny, ’, Kenny’s, Bill Darden, General Mills, Darden, Kelli Valade, Valade, Trin, Tapanya, Kevin Lamarque, Barry Fulghum, Lobster, Leah Millis Organizations: New, New York CNN, Thai Union Group, Red, Lobster, Thai Union, CNN, Red Lobster, John West Foods, longtime, Reuters, Thai, West Coast, Lobster’s, Bloomberg, Getty, Minor, Thai Union —, Union, Darden, Gate, Golden, Capital, Facebook, Thai Union . Thai Union, ” Thai Union Locations: New York, Thai, Thailand, Thai Union, United States, Orlando, Australian, Dallas, America, United, Texas, Spring , Maryland

☆ How private equity rolled Red Lobster
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-24 | by ( Gretchen Morgenson | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +9 min

In this photo illustration, a cooked lobster is displayed on a plate at a Red Lobster restaurant on May 20, 2024 in Austin, Texas. Under the terms of the sale, Red Lobster would also see regular rent increases of 2% a year, the release noted. "All of the people who were supplying Red Lobster, all of the people who are essentially providing services to Red Lobster, the small businesses in the communities affected by mass layoffs, they are next in line, they are experiencing the ripple effect." Sen. Edward Markey, a Democrat from Massachusetts, where eight hospitals operated by bankrupt Steward Health Care are, recently held hearings on private equity and health care. Private equity is emerging in all parts of our economy, Markey added, but its most profound impact is in health care.

Persons: didn't, Josh Olshansky, leaseback, Red, Moody's, Andrew Park, Oscar, Robert Reich, Bill Clinton, America's, Reich, Austin Hurst, Hurst, Sen, Edward Markey, Markey Organizations: Sears, Mervyn's, Steward, Manor Care, Companies, Golden, American Realty Capital Partners, Realty, Lobster, Financial Reform, Thai Union Group, Thai Union, Steward Health, Department of Health, Human Services Locations: Austin , Texas, Canada, San Francisco, Golden, Bangkok, Thai, Arizona, Massachusetts

☆ Red Lobster bought a lot of shrimp from its Thai owner. Now, the new CEO is investigating.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Meghan Morris | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after suffering significant financial losses. CEO Jonathan Tibus questioned the company's purchasing processes, including from owner Thai Union. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . But the company's CEO faulted owner and key seafood supplier Thai Union for its role in the shrimp debacle — and in Red Lobster's trajectory — in a filing on Sunday. Jonathan Tibus, a turnaround expert who took the CEO job in March, wrote that Red Lobster had long bought much of its shrimp from owner Thai Union.

Persons: Jonathan Tibus, — Organizations: Thai Union, Service, Business

☆ Jim Cramer looks at Red Lobster's recent troubles
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-21 | by ( Jim Cramer | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

Jim Cramer looks at Red Lobster's recent troubles'Mad Money' host Jim Cramer looks at Red Lobster's recent bankruptcy and what it means for the market.

Persons: Jim Cramer

A sign is posted on the exterior of a Red Lobster restaurant on April 17, 2024 in Rohnert Park, California. Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, continuing the process to shrink its footprint and find a buyer, the company said in a statement. CNBC reported last month Red Lobster was seeking a buyer, weighed down by significant debt and long-term leases. At the time, it was tough to predict that Red Lobster would see sales drop as much as they have. "This restructuring is the best path forward for Red Lobster," Tibus said in a statement late Sunday.

Persons: — Jonathan Tibus, Alvarez, Marsal, Tibus, Red, we've, General Mills, Darden, Kim Lopdrup, Paul Kenny's, Kenny Organizations: CNBC, Golden, Darden, Food, General, Thai Union Group, Thai Union, Red Lobster, Seafood Alliance, Thai Locations: Rohnert Park , California, U.S, Canada, Orlando , Florida, Olive, Thai

☆ Red Lobster closing at least 99 locations as its future comes into question
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-14 | by ( Rob Wile | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

A sign is posted on the exterior of a Red Lobster restaurant on April 17, 2024 in Rohnert Park, California. At least 99 locations of Red Lobster are being auctioned off amid questions about the stalwart seafood chain's long-term future. Last month, CNBC reported Red Lobster was seeking a buyer as it looked to avoid a bankruptcy filing, but none have materialized. Earlier this year, Thai Union, the largest investor in Red Lobster, announced it was seeking to exit its position. Red Lobster did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

Persons: Neal Sherman Organizations: TAGeX Brands, Business, CNBC, Thai Union Locations: Rohnert Park , California, Denver, Indianapolis, Rochester , New York, Sacramento , California, San Antonio, San Diego, U.S, Thai Union, Thai

☆ I ordered the same meal at Red Lobster and Olive Garden, and the winning chain had a cheaper appetizer and dessert
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-08 | by ( Jena Brown | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: 1 min

Red Lobster's strawberry cheesecake was incredible. The cheesecake was topped with white-chocolate shavings and strawberries. Jena BrownRed Lobster's cheesecake was topped with a thick layer of vanilla-bean whipped cream, which added a delicious sweetness to the dish. There were a ton of fresh-tasting strawberries on the side and top of the cake. At $11, the strawberry cheesecake cost more than the Olive Garden version.

Persons: Jena Brown Locations: Jena

☆ My family of 4 tried Red Lobster's $30 family 'meal deal.' It was tasty but we wouldn't get it again.
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-06 | by ( Terri Peters | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I tried Red Lobster's family taco meal deal for $30 — it was not enough to feed my family of four. Red Lobster's family taco meal deal Had I not added fries and biscuits, I think my family would've been hungry later that night. As far as family-style meal deals from chain restaurants go, this one was not worth the price. AdvertisementMany chain restaurants, from Panera Bread to IHOP , have been adding family-style meal deals to their menus. So, instead of cooking dinner on Taco Tuesday, I headed to seafood chain Red Lobster to try its family taco meal deal.

Persons: — Organizations: Service, Taco

☆ Red Lobster Isn't Nearing Bankruptcy Because of Endless Shrimp
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Emily Stewart | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +9 min

While Red Lobster increased traffic somewhat, people coming in to chow down on all-you-can-eat shrimp was a money bleeder. But the story about what's gone wrong with Red Lobster is much more complicated than a bunch of stoners pigging out on shrimp (and, later, lobster) en masse. Red Lobster first opened in Lakeland, Florida, in 1968 and was acquired by the food conglomerate General Mills in 1970. "What's truly happened with Red Lobster is that the consumer base has changed and Red Lobster hasn't," he said. "Red Lobster isn't losing to a competitor in their space — they're losing to competitors outside their space."

Persons: It's, what's, Jonathan Maze, Mills, General Mills, Olive, Darden, Red, Eileen Appelbaum, isn't, they've, it's, Keith Bedford, Darren Tristano, John Gordon, Kim Lopdrup, Red Lobster's, He's, Jonathan Tibus, Gordon, Tristano, You've, Emily Stewart Organizations: Bloomberg, Restaurant Business, Olive Garden, LongHorn, Darden, Golden Gate, American Realty, Lobster, Center for Economic, Policy Research, Thai Union, Seafood Alliance, Thai, Fortress Investment Group, Reuters, Business Locations: chow, Lakeland , Florida, San Francisco, Thai, Thailand, Thai Union, Golden, San Diego

☆ Chain restaurants like Chili's are coming for fast-food giants in the latest bout of the value wars
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-30 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +11 min

As fast-food prices increase, customers are finding more value in chain restaurants. Chains like Chili's are rolling out deals and portion sizes that could best fast-food chains. Chili's new Big Smasher burger is the latest offensive move in the value wars. The Big Smasher burger, Chili's newest menu item, was served in the company's test kitchen before its official launch on April 29. And if the sheer size and taste of the Chili's burger are anything to go by, it has a shot at beating fast-food chains in the value wars.

Persons: —, margarita, It's, Applebee's, John Peyton, Cate Gillon, Ian Borden, Scott Rodrick, Chris Kempczinski, Borden, McDonald's, Erin McDowell, We've, we've, Brian Paquette, Paquette, Big, Chili's, Richard Levine, Corbis, Felix Organizations: Service, Dallas, Mac, Business, Dine, Restaurant, UBS Global Consumer, Retail Conference, CNN, CBS News, Getty, Bloomberg Locations: New York, New York City, California, , New York

The Times Square Red Lobster will be offering free all-you-can-eat lobster to a select few customers on March 28. Beleaguered seafood chain Red Lobster is seeking a buyer as it looks to avoid filing for bankruptcy, CNBC has learned. Red Lobster could secure a buyer, it could declare bankruptcy or its lenders could take control of the company. This year marks the 10-year anniversary of Darden Restaurants' sale of Red Lobster after investors pushed the company to divest. As a result, Red Lobster reported $11 million in losses in the fiscal third quarter and $12.5 million in losses the following quarter.

Persons: it's, Jonathan Tibus, Alvarez, Lobster, Kim Lopdrup, Kelli Valade, Horace Dawson, Red Organizations: Times, CNBC, Bloomberg, Red Lobster, Darden Restaurants, Golden Gate Capital, Thai Union Group, Red, Seafood Alliance Locations: Golden

☆ Red Lobster, home of the endless shrimp, mulls bankruptcy after spoiling its customers with all-you-can-eat lobster: report
▼ + stars: | 2024-04-18 | by ( Kwan Wei Kevin Tan | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

It may be the end of the line for the seafood chain Red Lobster, per Bloomberg. AdvertisementSeafood chain Red Lobster is considering filing for bankruptcy, Bloomberg reported Wednesday. According to the outlet, Red Lobster is being advised by the law firm King & Spalding. Red Lobster and King & Spalding did not respond to Bloomberg's requests for comment. Representatives for Red Lobster and King & Spalding did not immediately respond to requests for comment from Business Insider sent outside regular business hours.

Persons: —, Spalding, Red Lobster's, Ludovic Garnier, servings, Ian Borden, Borden Organizations: Bloomberg, Service, King, Spalding, Thai Union Group —, Golden Corral, Business Insider Locations: Maine

☆ I went to Red Lobster for the first time. Here are 7 things that surprised me.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-20 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

I recently dined at Red Lobster in Times Square for the first time. I was surprised by the high prices and massive portion sizes. AdvertisementI recently dined at Red Lobster in Times Square for the first time with a friend and was surprised by a few aspects of the experience. However, from Red Lobster's signature unlimited biscuits to the glitter-filled cocktails, the meal felt more special than those at other chain restaurants I've been to. Here are seven things that surprised me about dining at Red Lobster.

Persons: — Organizations: Service

☆ I spent $125 on dinner for 2 at Red Lobster. It was the most decadent meal I've ever eaten at a chain restaurant.
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-08 | by ( Erin Mcdowell | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +1 min

In honor of Valentine's Day, a friend and I had dinner for two at Red Lobster. I was impressed by the rich, decadent meal, and left feeling completely stuffed. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementRed Lobster is arguably the most romantic chain restaurant, thanks to its focus on seafood and decadent dishes. From Red Lobster's signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits to the glitter-filled cocktails, the meal felt more special than other chain restaurants I've been to.

Persons: Valentine's, — Organizations: Service, chain's, Biscuits Locations: New York City

☆ A new era for the market means a new way to think about investing
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-04 | by ( Dan Defrancesco | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +7 min

download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . AdvertisementThe market volatility in the wake of the pandemic gave people visions of getting rich overnight, but true investing is a long-term play. As a result, a new market regime means new investing strategies will be necessary, James and Will write. Setting aside recency bias, it's been relatively easy to generate good returns in the market over the past 10 years. AI names may have commanded the market's attention lately, but another corner of the market is seeing impressive gains: stocks tied to digital assets.

Persons: —, Liam Eisenberg, Insider's James Faris, Will Edwards, Let's, James, Will, Spencer Platt, that's, Arantza Pena Popo, bitcoin, Alyssa Powell, Prasad Kalyanaraman, Cybertruck, Elon Musk's Cybertruck, Jay, Tyra Banks, Blake Snell, Thomas Carlyle, I'd, Dan DeFrancesco, Naga Siu, Hallam Bullock, Lisa Ryan Organizations: Service, Business, Getty, Marathon Digital, Oxford Dictionary Locations: America, Europe, EU, New York City, San Diego, London, New York

☆ Red Lobster's $20 promotion backfired, signaling how desperate diners are for cheap deals
▼ + stars: | 2023-12-01 | by ( Nancy Luna | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +2 min

Red Lobster introduced a $20 all-you-can eat shrimp promotion that backfired. They're clearly seeking value, a Red Lobster exec said. AdvertisementTheir generosity backfired, as the chain underestimated the number of diners hunting for dining deals amid rising menu prices. Though inflation is slowing, menu prices remain on the uptick, according to new federal data released in November. Ultimately, $20 for endless shrimp was too cheap for Red Lobster.

Persons: —, Ludovic Garnier, Garnier, It's Organizations: Lobster, Service, Thai Union Group, Labor Statistics

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