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Red Lobster’s new CEO knows he has a lot on his plate. The 56-year-old restaurant chain has been rocked by and a , but Damola Adamolekun is ready to nurse it back to prominence as he takes over as CEO. Adamolekun, 35, said one promotion meant to reel in customers failed when the chain offered $20 endless shrimp as a permanent item on its menu after previously being a limited-time option.
“You stress out the kitchen. You stress out the servers. You stress out the host,” he .
“People can’t get a table. It creates a lot of chaos operationally.” Endless shrimp may return at some point down the line, says Adamolekun.
If it does, he wants to make sure it doesn’t lead to the kinds of problems it did when it became a permanent menu item. “I never want to say never, but certainly not the way that it was done,” he said. “We won’t have it in a way that’s losing money in that fashion and isn’t managed.
”Red Lobster opened in 1968 and became one of the many casual eating options throughout America before stumbling into financial trouble in recent years. In September, the restaurant for its plan to get out of bankruptcy, allowing Fortress Investment Group LLC to take over, along with other investors that committed more than $60 million to Red Lobster. As part of that transition of power, Adamolekun, who previously served as , was named CEO as Red Lobster will remain an independent company, while customers can visit any one of its nearly 550 locations throughout the U.
S. and Canada. “Red Lobster has a tremendous future, and I cannot wait to get started on our plan with the Company’s more than 30,000 team members across the USA and Canada,” he said when Red Lobster emerged from bankruptcy in September.
“Red Lobster is now stronger, more resilient, and ready for a bright new chapter — supported by our loyal guests, dedicated team members, and new USA-based ownership who are committed to investing in Red Lobster’s future,” the restaurant said in a September Instagram post . Even with his optimism, Adamolekun is aware of how much work is ahead. “There’s a hole to climb out of, for sure, and that will be the hardest part,” he said.
“It’s been a painful period in bankruptcy, and the closures have affected a lot of people,” he added. Red Lobster has also gotten a boost from an unlikely source: Flavor Flav. In June, the rapper to try to help save the chain; then, in July, he signed off on a limited-time offer called “ ,” which featured different menu options selected by him.
“Mr. Flav has done a lot,” Adamolekun said. “We’re very appreciative of him.
Drew Weisholtz is a reporter for TODAY Digital, focusing on pop culture, nostalgia and trending stories. He has seen every episode of “Saved by the Bell” at least 50 times, longs to perfect the crane kick from “The Karate Kid” and performs stand-up comedy, while also cheering on the New York Yankees and New York Giants. A graduate of Rutgers University, he is the married father of two kids who believe he is ridiculous.
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