Latest news with #DamolaAdamolekun
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.
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.
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
Red Lobster's new seafood boil bags and $5 drinks ignite online frenzy
Red Lobster is making waves in the restaurant industry with the launch of its new seafood boil bags and $5 drink deals, a bold move led by recently appointed CEO Damola Adamolekun. The menu revamp comes in the wake of the company's recent bankruptcy proceedings, marking a significant step in the chain's effort to rebuild its brand and customer loyalty. The introduction of customizable seafood boil bags—a popular Southern-style dish—has become the centerpiece of Red Lobster's refreshed offerings. Social media platforms, especially X (formerly Twitter), have been buzzing with reactions from excited customers, many of whom are eager to visit and experience the new flavors firsthand. I just thought about dipping that cheddar bay biscuit in that seafood boil seasoning and I… — nína on ya hip (@ninaninemilli) June 24, 2025 Can't go wrong with a seafood boil lmao — Bourbon Bodmon (@YunglordKari) June 24, 2025 The whole tiktok done already had it (seafood boil) and they say it's good asf — 🍧Tiffany Jackson🍧 (@Dnt4get2tip_) June 24, 2025 Red Lobster always made me sick lol, happy to see someone tryna change it. — Amarya 💎 (@msharperbabyy) June 24, 2025 The $5 drink specials have also gained traction, appealing to budget-conscious diners and reinforcing the chain's push to offer more value. While some users have voiced skepticism about the authenticity and quality of the seafood, the overall response has leaned positive, with many praising the innovation and fresh direction. This menu overhaul is part of a larger strategic plan to improve service, food quality, and the overall dining experience. With Adamolekun at the helm, Red Lobster aims to regain its status as a go-to seafood destination. Whether the buzz translates into long-term success remains to be seen, but for now, Red Lobster is firmly back in the conversation.
The Independent
4 days ago
- Business
- The Independent
Red Lobster hoping to tempt back customers after filing for bankruptcy
Red Lobster is bringing back its Crabfest celebration, featuring new crab-themed dishes and seafood boils, available from Monday until September 14. This reintroduction of a beloved menu event comes months after the fast-casual restaurant chain emerged from bankruptcy. The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in May 2024, which led to the closure of more than 100 of its nearly 650 restaurant locations. Financial struggles, including an $11 million loss attributed to an unsustainable "endless shrimp" promotion, contributed to the bankruptcy. Following its acquisition by RL Investor Holdings in September 2024, Red Lobster appointed a new CEO, Damola Adamolekun, to lead its revamp.
Newsweek
4 days ago
- Business
- Newsweek
Red Lobster Adds 10 New Items to Summer Menu
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Seafood chain Red Lobster is hoping to hook new customers to its restaurants this summer, as the embattled company works toward financial recovery. The brand announced its menu will feature new dishes and cocktails as it launched its "Crabfest" promotion on Monday. A Red Lobster restaurant pictured in May 2024, in Fremont, California. A Red Lobster restaurant pictured in May 2024, in Fremont, It Matters Shockwaves rippled through the catering industry and beyond when Red Lobster, founded back in 1968, filed for chapter 11 bankruptcy in May last year and went on to close more than 100 stores. Chapter 11 is often referred to as a "reorganization bankruptcy" and means that creditors usually suspend attempts to collect debts, while the debtor remains in possession of the business and can continue to run it. It is usually offered when businesses have large debts but also earn a sizable income. Analysts suggested the blame for Red Lobster's troubles lay with poor management decisions, such as all-you-can-eat deals offered even as the price of shrimp soared. Restaurant bosses were also forced to contend with high inflation pushing up wholesale costs, with rising prices also forcing many diners to eat at home to save money. But this month, Red Lobster's new 36-year-old CEO Damola Adamolekun, who was appointed last August to affect a turnaround, told the LA Times that customer feedback was already improving amid his push for improved hospitality, remodeled venues, and a revamped menu. He also hopes sport sponsorship deals and TV ads will raise the chain's profile. The businessman previously led a revival of fortunes at Asian-fusion chain P.F. Chang's. What To Know Crabfest is an annual promotion run by Red Lobster, and new dishes have been added to this year's event. Seafood boils now feature on the special Crabfest menu for the first time, meaning guests can order a huge bag filled with seafood and vegetables coated with sauce or seasoning. In addition to what Red Lobster describes as "fan favorite" dishes, there are seven new food items on the Crabfest menu: Mariner's Boil (lobster tail, shrimp, snow crab legs, corn, and red potatoes), Sailor's Boil (shrimp, smoked sausage, corn, and red potatoes), Crabby Stuffed Mushrooms, Crab-Topped Asparagus, Crab-Topped Potato, Steak Oscar (with a creamy sauce), and Salmon Oscar. In addition to the new dishes, three new cocktails will also be added to the menu: Purple Haze by Dre & Snoop (using gin created by the rap stars and lemonade), Passion Star Spritz (vodka and passionfruit), and Starry Eyed Surprise (tequila-based). What People Are Saying Nichole Robillard, chief marketing officer at Red Lobster, said: "Red Lobster's Crabfest is the ultimate summer dining experience, featuring exciting and flavorful dishes like our new Seafood Boils. Whether you're a longtime Red Lobster lover or participating in Crabfest for the first time, we've got something to bring everyone joy." What Happens Next Red Lobster executives and the restaurant chain's fans will be hoping the brand can do enough to win back former customers and entice new ones, as the CEO fights to turn around the business.
