[Cont'd From DSLR] Red Lobster Files For Bankruptcy

HELLFIRE · 2025-02-13T04:30:28+00:00

Was following this story at DSLR for awhile, bringing over here. These updates just hit my radar : https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/business-finance/fortress-s-usd-65-million-suit-against-thai-union-moves-forward-as-red-lobster-rolls-out-new-promotions -- Fortress’s USD 65 million suit against Thai Union moves forward as Red Lobster rolls out new promotions (paywall) Fortress Credit, one of the new owners of Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.-based restaurant chain Red Lobster, sued Thailand-based seafood conglomerate Thai Union for USD 65 million (EUR 63 million) late last year. Though the lawsuit was recently confirmed to be moving forward, both parties have hinted they may be open to settling the case in the future. Fortress originally filed the complaint against Thai Union late last year after Red Lobster exited its bankruptcy process, saying Thai Union had guaranteed payment to Red Lobster of up to USD 65 million in a 2022 financing agreement when the Southeast Asian firm was one of the minority owners of Red Lobster. Thai Union’s board of directors agreed to provide the funding in August 2022 “to support and enhance [Red Lobster’s] liquidity management capabilities,” Thai Union said in its quarterly earnings report at the time. ... https://retailwire.com/red-lobster-lobsterfest-2025-gloat/ -- Red Lobster Says Lobsterfest 2025 Is the ‘GLOAT’ Lobsterfest is returning to Red Lobster, and this year it’s the GLOAT: The Greatest Lobsterfest of All Time. Red Lobster is making 2025 truly unforgettable for its customers. A press release states the eatery has debuted 10 tasty dishes and a first-time Lobsterfest upgrade, the option to Create Your Own meal. This means that customers can build the plate of their seafood dreams by selecting two or three lobster entrées and customizing their perfect feast. Also new to Red Lobster are the Lobster & Shrimp Linguini and a Lobster Roll. Legendary Red Lobster favorites including hush puppies and popcorn shrimp are back and will continue to be served with endless Cheddar Bay Biscuits. ... Since taking the helm, Adamolekun revamped its menu, reintroduced fan favorites, and added happy hour at many restaurants nationwide. Adamolekun shared with Business Insider that the company has shifted its goals to invest in its customers, simplify and improve operations, deliver consistent products, revitalize its marketing efforts, and upgrade its technology systems and infrastructure. ... Regards

px_eliezer_

ugly95

Ah thanks.

Yeah even decades ago there was a Pizza Hut in a NY town that became a clothing store, but will look like a Pizza Hut forever.

Beachie

ugly95 I think it’s a bit disappointing that something like a Taco Bell went from a rather distinct building with the bell that everyone could recognize, and that faux Mexican design eventually was just distilled down to a generic building painted with beige and purple accents.

Donut417

urbanriot This demonstrates how out of touch they are with restaurant recovery, along the lines of the shenanigans that ocurred with Cracker Barrel. These idiots believe that people want to sit in a sterile cafeteria and somehow a fresh coat of paint will make people go to their restaurant rather than good quality food at a good price.

Problem is food cost is out of control. Thats probably why many restaurants started to use Sysco for their food supplier. The issue is if they increase food quality they would have to increase the price. Currently a lot of people are price sensitive due to inflation. They are caught in a catch 22. The only thing these places have going for them, is fast food costs just as much and is generally of lower quality.

I have a feeling in the next few years we will see a lot of the current chains go belly up. BUT that leaves room for newer restaurants to come in a grow.

px_eliezer_

Donut417 I have a feeling in the next few years we will see a lot of the current chains go belly up. BUT that leaves room for newer restaurants to come in a grow.

Things have always come and gone.

“Burger Chef” was a massive and pioneering competitor to McDonalds (1954-1996).
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Burger_Chef

They were killed by bad management under new corporate owners, poorly planned renovations, etc. (Sounds familiar?)

Fans of “Mad Men” will remember that the show had a story arc relating to “Burger Chef”.

InternetJeff

px_eliezer_ “Burger Chef”

Ha! I remember that chain from when I was a little kid. Especially the “Burger Chef and Jeff” commercials 😁

My Dad took me there instead of Burger King because they char-broiled the burgers at Burger King and as a kid thought that tasted “burnt”.

Somewhat-Reticent

InternetJeff char-broiled … tasted “burnt”

Often is. Amazing California hasn’t banned burnt foods.

urbanriot

Donut417 Thats probably why many restaurants started to use Sysco for their food supplier.

Everyone has been using Sysco here for at least 30 years.

Donut417 I have a feeling in the next few years we will see a lot of the current chains go belly up.

I agree with you, in part because these idiots don’t know why people go to their restaurants but also because a lot of changes are going to happen in a lot of states which are going to drive up the cost of food and labour just as it happened here in Southern Ontario.

HELLFIRE

https://www.fastcompany.com/91587751/red-lobster-is-redesigning-its-dining-rooms-for-newstalgia – As part of its post-bankruptcy comeback plan, the seafood chain is redesigning its dining rooms to feel nautical without looking like a themed restaurant.

FWIW.

Regards

urbanriot

HELLFIRE As part of its post-bankruptcy comeback plan, the seafood chain is redesigning its dining rooms to feel nautical without looking like a themed restaurant.

LOL! I look forward to seeing how they’re going with a nautical feel without it feeling like a nautical theme.

I found this site which had some pics of some old Red Lobster restaurants:
https://clickamericana.com/topics/food-drink/vintage-red-lobster-restaurants

Maybe it’s how the photos captured things but back in the early 80s ours looked nothing like those, they weren’t drab at all.

Somewhat-Reticent

Is the white ( tables walls ceiling ) nautical, like white deck shoes?
Outer structure resembles several restaurant chains here.
( furniture by IKEA ? )

InternetJeff

From some of the recent developments, I get the feeling that Red Lobster has been taken over by pirates.

Obligatory meme….

broknsymetry

HELLFIRE redesigning its dining rooms to feel nautical

ugly95

HELLFIRE As part of its post-bankruptcy comeback plan, the seafood chain is redesigning its dining rooms to feel nautical without looking like a themed restaurant.

I’m guessing that means it’s going to be a neutral colour with red and blue accents.

vaxvms

Endless shrimp is back!

https://www.redlobster.com/news-press/press/2026/08/17/endless-shrimp-returns-to-red-lobster-for-a-limited-time-starting-august-17/

Beginning Aug. 17, guests can mix and match five flavors endlessly throughout the meal for as much shrimp as they like, any way they like it.

Somewhat-Reticent

vaxvms How limited?

broknsymetry

Somewhat-Reticent How limited?

Before you finish your first serving.

HELLFIRE

https://www.inc.com/amaya-nichole/endless-shrimp-pushed-red-lobster-toward-bankruptcy-back-with-three-key-limits/91395136 – The chain says it’s rebuilt the promotion with stronger financial discipline this time around. Not every diner is convinced.

… Other users pointed to additional restrictions, including orders arrive one option at a time, guests are capped at three rounds, and leftovers can’t be taken home. “They are really cracking down on this item now,” another user said. …

FWIW.

Regards

urbanriot

… Other users pointed to additional restrictions, including orders arrive one option at a time, guests are capped at three rounds, and leftovers can’t be taken home. “They are really cracking down on this item now,” another user said. …

Two of those “limitations” are fair and in fact existed at our local Red Lobster 20 or so years ago for both the shrimp deal and the crab deal. We could not order multiple shrimp or crap variations at the same time and we weren’t allowed to have leftovers on the deal orders.

However capped at three rounds? It’s not “endless” if they’re capping it…

ugly95

urbanriot However capped at three rounds? It’s not “endless” if they’re capping it…

telcodad

urbanriot However capped at three rounds? It’s not “endless” if they’re capping it…

Well maybe they can follow the “unlimited” data model that cellular phone service providers use - after consuming a certain amount of ~~data~~ shrimp, they will start ~~speed throttling/deprioritizing~~ bringing out new orders of shrimp just 2 or 3 at a time. 😛

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