Latest news with #Crabfest
Yahoo
16 hours ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Red Lobster Roasted Over Its New Menu Item: 'Will Never Go Back'
is hoping to bounce back from bankruptcy with a splash, but its newest Crabfest menu items are already sparking controversy. The seafood chain, which filed for bankruptcy in May and shut down over 100 locations, recently launched two new signature boils, the Mariner's Boil and the Sailor's Boil, part of its annual Crabfest celebration. But while some customers are calling the dishes "delicious" and "worth the price," others are accusing Red Lobster of serving up disappointing, even inedible meals. The Mariner's Boil features a Maine lobster tail, snow crab legs, a dozen shrimp, red potatoes, and corn, starting at around $45 depending on location. The Sailor's Boil offers a more modest helping of shrimp, smoked sausage, potatoes, and corn for roughly $24. Both come with a choice of Cajun butter, roasted garlic butter, or Old Bay seasoning. One Reddit user raved about the deal, saying, "It was really good & worth the price… I was surprised!" They added that their dining partner went through three baskets of Red Lobster's iconic Cheddar Bay Biscuits. But others had a drastically different experience. "My corn was cold, sausage burnt, and the garlic butter was just shrimp scampi sauce," one diner complained on Daily Mail's report. Another said, "You couldn't pay me to eat at RL," while a third described their local Red Lobster in Pineville, NC, as a "dumpster," citing dirty tables and limited menu options. "The seafood boil looked like a kids meal," they added. Complaints also rolled in over pricing and portion size. "A small side of Cajun sauce is $3.99? There's some work that needs to be done for sure," one review read. Despite the backlash, Red Lobster is going full steam ahead with its Crabfest revival. "Red Lobster's Crabfest is the ultimate summer dining experience, featuring exciting and flavorful dishes like our new Seafood Boils," Nichole Robillard, Chief Marketing Officer of Red Lobster, said in a news release. "Whether you're a longtime Red Lobster lover or participating in Crabfest for the first time, we've got something to bring everyone joy." In addition to the new boils, seasonal offerings include Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms, a Crab-Topped Baked Potato, and Steak or Salmon Oscar topped with lump crab and creamy sauce. Fan favorites like Crab Your Way and Crab Carbonara also make a return. The restaurant giant first filed for bankruptcy in May 2024, following a reported $76 million loss in 2023. As part of its restructuring strategy, Red Lobster shuttered dozens of underperforming locations across the country, including several in Alabama, in an effort to "simplify" operations and cut costs. The chain's recent bankruptcy has been linked to a combination of rising operational costs and the infamous $20 endless shrimp promotion, which, while a viral sensation, reportedly dealt a significant blow to the company's finances. At the helm of this turnaround is new CEO Damola Adamolekun, who has already made bold moves to revive the struggling brand. One of the first orders of business? Placing a hard stop to the "endless" promotions that some insiders say contributed to the chain's downfall, most notably the infamous "All You Can Eat Shrimp" deal, which went viral but ultimately proved unsustainable. Instead, Red Lobster is shifting its focus to profitability and more strategic menu choices. New offerings, including seasonal seafood boils and revamped favorites, have already begun to roll out across the country. With the court's green light, the brand is hoping this reboot can steer it back to its former glory. Whether the new menu can help turn the tide for Red Lobster remains to be seen, and diners aren't holding back their reviews, good, bad, or boiled.
Forbes
a day ago
- Business
- Forbes
Red Lobster's Seafood Boils And Why We Love A Comeback
With Crabfest back on the menu, Red Lobster isn't just serving seafood—it's offering a soft relaunch ... More of trust. And we're showing up for it. After bankruptcy headlines and shuttered locations, Red Lobster is back with boil bags, biscuits, and something people still crave: a reason to celebrate. The Return of Seafood Boils as Comfort Theater Red Lobster has always carried more meaning than its menu lets on. For a lot of us, it was the place you went for a birthday dinner, a celebration, or just a break from cooking when you needed something to feel like a treat. That kind of emotional association doesn't disappear, even when the brand itself falters. After a very public Chapter 11 bankruptcy filing this spring and successfully emerging from it last year, Red Lobster is trying to reintroduce itself—not with a new logo or splashy rebrand, but by bringing back Crabfest. This time, they've added customizable seafood boil bags and bright, summer-ready cocktails that feel both of the moment and unmistakably theirs. At first glance, it reads like business as usual. But beneath the surface, this is a deliberate shift. Crabfest does more than a seasonal promotion—it's a public reminder of the brand's staying power and an attempt to tie its future to what people already remember fondly. It's a key part of their comeback story. A Familiar Format, Reframed for 2025 The seafood boil bag is built for the current moment. It's visual, it's interactive, and it puts the diner in control—pick your proteins, choose your seasoning, decide how bold you want to go. That kind of format lends itself well to social media (hello, TikTok bait), but it also taps into something simpler: the pleasure of cooking it yourself. Whether it's the Mariner's Boil (crab legs, lobster tail, shrimp) or the simpler Sailor's Boil (shrimp, sausage, corn), the idea is the same: hands-on, no-fuss indulgence. You can finish it with garlic butter, Cajun seasoning, or the new OLD BAY® and Parmesan combo. It's not trying to be fine dining—it's trying to feel like an event. And that's part of the strategy. Right now, restaurants are competing on food and on experience. A seafood boil bag that arrives steaming to your table feels like a moment. It gives people a reason to go out, even if they're watching their budgets. More Than Just a Meal: The Real Red Lobster Seafood Boil Review The comments on Red Lobster's social posts say more than the press release ever could. You see it clearly when people are tagging friends, talking about birthdays, and making dinner plans. Take this one: After an eight-month recovery from surgery, one person shared on Instagram that Crabfest was going to be their first big outing. Or another, who immediately imagined dipping the restaurant's cheddar bay biscuits into the buttery bottom of the boil bag – "I'm imagining dipping one of them biscuits in the butter at the bottom of the bag omg." You also see the simple excitement, "Making my reservations 😍" or the truth, 'Looks good! Love a good seafood boil. Will have to check it out.' But the conversations aren't just one-sided. Over on platforms like Reddit, where diners tend to be a bit more candid, you find common questions and observations. Many immediately zeroed in on the seasoning, with one person noting the frequent first take they saw was, "Did they season this?" or a concern that the 'garlic they use is apparently very conservative.' While some felt the seafood boil price was "a fine price point for what you are getting," others expressed hesitation, waiting for a "nationwide PSA... on how to properly season a Seafood Boil." This blend of excitement and critical feedback shows the new boils are definitely getting people talking. These are the kinds of details that don't show up in earnings reports. They're the ones that tell you whether a brand still matters, and for many, Red Lobster still very much does. Crabfest has always been one of Red Lobster's most recognizable campaigns, but this year, it's carrying a different weight. It's a reminder that the brand is still here, still worth visiting, and still good at what it's always done: delivering a meal that feels like a little celebration. Why This Works—for Them and for Us With Crabfest back on the menu, Red Lobster isn't just serving seafood—it's offering a soft relaunch ... More of trust, and we're showing up for it. There's a reason this version of Crabfest feels like it landed at the right time. It's not just a savvy move by the brand—it's something people were ready to say yes to. Right now, dining out carries more emotional weight than it used to. For a lot of folks, it's no longer just about convenience—it's about choosing joy, about marking something. The seafood boil bags, the biscuits, the familiar flavors—these aren't just menu items. For some memories and emotional comfort may be that's been harder to come by in recent years. People are tired, grocery prices are still high, and there's uncertainty everywhere, from the economy to the headlines. So when a brand like Red Lobster says, Come in, sit down, let's bring back something that used to feel good, that offer lands differently. It's not flashy, but it's sturdy. And sometimes, that's exactly what we're looking for. Crabfest works now because it remembers what people liked about Red Lobster in the first place—and it doesn't try to overcomplicate that. It invites you to pick your boil, order your cocktail, and dip your biscuit in something buttery. It's the kind of experience that doesn't ask for much but gives back just enough to feel like a win. That's not marketing fluff. That's what we crave when everything else feels up in the air: a little taste of normal. A reminder that celebration doesn't have to be perfect, expensive, or rare. It just has to show up when you need it. What Crabfest Says About What We Crave Crabfest works because it's rooted in something people already have emotional memory around. You don't need to convince someone what a crab boil is or why cheddar bay biscuits matter—they already know. What Red Lobster is doing here is connecting that memory to a moment of transformation. It's saying: we went through something, and now we're ready to bring you back in. Not every brand gets a second chance. Red Lobster seems to understand that what people want right now isn't just novelty—it's familiarity done well. Something that feels good, even if just for an hour or two. And that's what this version of Crabfest is offering: not just a plate of food, but a reason to feel like things are okay again—or at least okay enough to order the boil and let yourself enjoy it. Why We Love a Comeback There's something deeply satisfying about seeing our favorite brand come back from the edge of collapse, especially one that's been part of our lives for decades. Coming back from the brink like Red Lobster did isn't just about recovery; it's about recognition. That feeling of being counted in again and getting another shot at joy, comfort, or normalcy. We root for comebacks because they reflect something true about how we move through the world—how we mess up, regroup, and try again. Crabfest might be a promotion on paper, but to the people planning birthday dinners or post-surgery celebrations around it, it's also a signal: you can come back from hard things. You can make something feel like a celebration again, even if everything isn't perfect. That's what Red Lobster is really selling right now. Not just crab or value, but the feeling that it's okay to want something nice. That you've earned a biscuit in butter. That you—and maybe they—are still standing.
Daily Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Daily Mail
Red Lobster's brand new menu addition has customers raging
Red Lobster's latest menu items have divided fans with some labelling them 'delicious' and others 'cold' and 'burnt.' The beloved seafood chain, which emerged from bankruptcy in September, recently introduced its new dishes, a Mariner's Boil and a Sailor's Boil, to celebrate its annual Crabfest. The Mariner's Boil features 'a Maine lobster tail, a dozen shrimp, snow crab legs, corn and red potatoes,' the casual dining favorite said. The Sailor's Boil on the other hand includes a mix of shrimp with smoked sausage, corn and red potatoes. Both boils have three options for garnish, roasted garlic butter, Cajun butter or Old Bay seasoning. Prices vary by restaurant location and menu item but the new menu offerings sit between $24 and $45. Even the more expensive Mariner's Broil is significantly cheaper than most competitor's broils that can cost as much as $75. Other new items joining the limited-time Crabfest menu this year include Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms, Crab-Topped Baked Potato and Steak or Salmon Oscar with lump crab meat in a creamy sauce. The Mariner's Boil features Maine lobster tail, shrimp, snow crab legs, corn and red potatoes Returning favorites that will no doubt delight fans include Crab Your Way, where diners can enjoy a pound of crab legs with crispy potatoes and Crab Carbonara. One Red Lobster fan who tried the new seafood broil deal said in a Reddit post that it was 'really good & worth the price.' 'I got the bag with crab and lobster for $45 with the AND I WAS SURPRISED,' the happy customer wrote. Adding that their dining partner ate three baskets worth of the chain's legendary Cheddar Bay Biscuits. However, others were less enthusiastic about their experience. 'Who can afford to eat at Red Lobster anymore?' one disgruntled consumer wrote. 'Just had the Sailor's Boil for $24 yesterday (the Mariner's Boil is $44),' another said. 'My corn was cold, sausage burnt and the garlic butter was shrimp scampi sauce.' Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy in May last year It emerged from the process in September with a new CEO, Damola Adamolekun (pictured) 'A small side of the Cajun sauce that comes with the Mariner's boil is $3.99. There's some work that needs to be done for sure,' a third agreed. Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy in May last year — days after closing more than a hundred restaurants. The casual dining favorite's problems have been blamed on rising lease and labor costs in recent years and its infamous $20 all-you-can-eat shrimp deal that backfired. The offer, launched in June 2023 as a permanent fixture on the menu, ended up costing it millions of dollars as customers took advantage. One girl managed to eat 108 shrimp in four hours, 'I set a new record at my local Red Lobster, this is my greatest achievement in life,' the poster explained in her video. By the time the plug was pulled after just seven weeks, Red Lobster had lost $3.3 million. Thai Union CEO Thiraphong Chansiri, 58, even said out of frustration that he'll never eat lobster again after the bankruptcy. While in Chapter 11 protection, Red Lobster shuttered a further two dozen restaurants. Red Lobster exited bankruptcy in September last year. It is now being run under the leadership of new CEO Damola Adamolekun. In November, soon after he took over, he endless shrimp deal again. knows how to do math.'
Time of India
2 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Red Lobster's new CEO makes waves with $5 drinks, seafood boils and Sangria flights
Red Lobster might be making a big comeback. Their new CEO, Damola Adamolekun, just made some exciting menu changes like $5 drinks, seafood boils , and sangria flights and now everyone online is talking about it. He made these major new changes to the menu to bring in more customers. One of the biggest changes is this year's Crabfest , which fans are loving, as per reports. New food and drink options The Seafood Boils are back and come in two different styles, Mariner's Boil includes: Maine lobster tail, 12 shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, and red potatoes. Sailor's Boil includes: shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Join new Free to Play WWII MMO War Thunder War Thunder Play Now Undo You can choose your favorite sauce for the boil, Roasted garlic butter, Cajun butter, Old Bay seasoning. Red Lobster is also offering new drink flights for a limited time, seaside Sangria Flights with mango berry, tropical white, and triple berry flavors. Main Deck Margarita Flights with Caribbean blue, passionfruit, and watermelon flavors, as stated by delish report. Social Media loves it During Happy Hour, customers can get cocktail specials for just $5. Social media is going wild with excitement about the new CEO and menu, one TikTok user said, 'CEO popped off… he figured out us ladies to a T… seafood boils, margs, and cheddar bay biscuits', as per reports. Live Events ALSO READ: Visa controversy erupts: Jasmine Crockett presses how Melania Trump got elite US visa Another commented: 'This is seriously about to be the new spot! He's tapped in. He knows what the people want. Keep the biscuits coming.' Others said they're ready to go back to Red Lobster after years. One said: 'I just might go back… I could use a biscuit and some hush puppies…', according to the report by delish. People are especially excited to enjoy their favorite items again, like cheddar bay biscuits . One person even joked, 'Can this new CEO fix Chipotle now too?' Red lobster's struggles In May 2024, Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy under Chapter 11 to fix its money problems The company closed several restaurant locations to save costs. They also worked with a real estate advisory firm to check and cut down on lease expenses. The goal was to restructure its finances and survive the tough situation, as per the report by Catalunya Diari. Red Lobster is now trying a big comeback with its brand new strategy. They brought back Crabfest, one of their most loved events, running from June 23 to September 14. The menu now has 10 new dishes, mostly focused on crab. They also added a new range of refreshing cocktails to bring in more customers, as mentioned in the reports. FAQs Q1. What new food is on Red Lobster's menu? Red Lobster added 10 new dishes, including seafood boils and crab-focused meals. Q2. What is Crabfest at Red Lobster? Crabfest is a special event featuring crab dishes, running from June 23 to September 14.
Fox News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Fox News
Red Lobster's summer seafood boils go viral as customers debate whether worth the hype
Red Lobster's newest menu additions have gone viral on social media now that the chain introduced affordable, buttery seafood boils for the summer. The Orlando, Florida-based chain announced the beginning of Crabfest with two new dishes: a Mariner's Boil and a Sailor's Boil. The Mariner's Boil features "a Maine lobster tail, a dozen shrimp, snow crab legs, corn and red potatoes," according to the seafood outlet on Monday. Meanwhile, the Sailor's Boil includes a mix of shrimp with smoked sausage, corn and red potatoes. Each boil can be finished with one of three options: roasted garlic butter, Cajun butter or Old Bay seasoning. Other Crabfest dishes include Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms, Crab-Topped Asparagus and Crab-Topped Potato, along with Steak Oscar and Salmon Oscar. The prices vary by area, but the general price range is between $24 and $45, with the Mariner's Boil being more expensive. Red Lobster's seafood boils are generally on the lower end of pricing, as others can cost as much as $75 per person. Users on Reddit offered varied takes on the new deal, with some expressing excitement while others were skeptical. "A seafood boil and cheap sangria? Oh, I'm absolutely clocking out early for this," one person said. "Five-dollar drink gonna have one drop of alcohol in it," one user speculated, referencing the $5 happy hour that began in December. "Just don't f--- with the biscuits," another very blunt commenter wrote. One user who claimed to have tried the deal said it was "really good & worth the price." "My corn was cold, sausage burnt and the garlic butter was shrimp scampi sauce." "I got the bag with crab and lobster for $45 with the Cajun butter AND I WAS SURPRISED," the Redditor said, adding that the server was also generous with the chain's signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits. "My boyfriend ate 3 baskets," the user said. Other Redditors were critical of the meal and complained about the chain's prices. "Who can afford to eat at Red Lobster anymore?" one person wrote. "Just had the Sailor's Boil for $24 yesterday (the Mariner's Boil is $44)," another said. "My corn was cold, sausage burnt and the garlic butter was shrimp scampi sauce." The user added, "A small side of the Cajun sauce that comes with the Mariner's boil is $3.99. There's some work that needs to be done for sure." Reactions on X were similarly mixed, with some users raving about the new offerings, while others were unimpressed. "We tried the Red Lobster seafood boils & they were so fresh," one satisfied customer said. "Just tried the Red Lobster seafood boil," another person wrote. "I give it a 6.5." "Honestly tried the new Red Lobster boil yesterday," a third person said. "UNPOPULAR OPINION: great marketing [and] bad taste. They need better seasoning and flavor." Fox News Digital reached out to Red Lobster for comment.
