Now that Red Lobster has come out of bankruptcy, it is trying to bring back some longtime fans to the restaurant while attracting new customers. With that goal in mind, the once-beleaguered seafood casual dining chain is bringing back a fan-favorite menu item.
Quartz reports that Red Lobster has recently announced the return of the beloved hush puppies to the menu, sure to delight many fans, as they have not been on the menu for years. In an interview with Today, Damola Adamolekun, the restaurant chain’s new 35-year-old CEO, said that social media couldn’t be more thrilled about the return of the hush puppies.
“There was a social media riot over us taking off the hush puppies a few years ago. So that is coming back,” said Adamolekun. “I expect a stampede into our restaurants because we’re bringing back the hush puppies.”
Adamolekun also announced that popcorn shrimp was returning to the menu alongside seven new items, including lobster bisque, bacon-wrapped sea scallops, and some new pasta dishes.
One menu item that won’t be returning to Red Lobster, however, is the Unlimited Endless Shrimp. Launched during the pandemic to increase foot traffic, the promotion soon went viral. However, the arrangement was problematic behind the scenes. “I know how to do math,” Adamolekun said, implying that the transaction cost the corporation more than it was worth.
Originally offered daily, the deal was subsequently reduced to Mondays only. In the end, it led to lengthy wait times, overworked kitchens, and what some staff members called outright “chaos.” Adamolekun left the possibility of a future comeback open, even though the deal isn’t coming back anytime soon.
Red Lobster intends to streamline its menu in the future by emphasizing items that facilitate quicker service and better culinary preparation. “I want to lower the check, but giving people options is more important,” Adamolekun said.
Red Lobster Emerged From Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in September
In September, Damola Adamolekun officially took over the restaurant and promised to revitalize the faltering brand.
“Red Lobster is now a stronger, more resilient company, and today is the start of a new chapter in our history,” he said in a statement accompanying the press release announcing the Chapter 11 conclusion. “From the opening of our first restaurant in 1968, Red Lobster has focused on serving diners high-quality seafood at affordable prices. I’ve been a Red Lobster fan since my first dining experience as a 9-year-old at our Springfield, Ill, restaurant — and as I’ve prepared to step into the role of CEO, I’ve met hundreds of diners across the country who, just like me, are as passionate about Red Lobster now as they were on their first visit.”
As a result of the acquisition, RL Investor Holdings LLC formally bought the Red Lobster restaurant chain in its entirety and emerged from its Chapter 11 bankruptcy restructuring. In collaboration with co-investors Blue Torch and TCW Private Credit, funds managed by affiliates of Fortress Investment Group LLC formed RL Investor Holdings LLC.
Red Lobster is currently a stand-alone, privately held company with 545 locations in 44 states and four provinces in Canada.
“As part of our new ownership structure, we have backers who have a history of making successful investments in restaurants,” Adamolekun added. “Our comprehensive and long-term investment plan for Red Lobster includes a commitment of more than $60 million in new funding which will help us to deliver improvements across every aspect of our company. I’m looking forward to working with our 30,000-strong team to bring our plan to life.”
