Red Lobster closing oldest restaurant after 56 years in Florida

Red Lobster’s oldest restaurant, located in Tallahassee, Florida, is set to permanently close its doors after 56 years of business.

On Tuesday, a representative for the seafood chain confirmed toThe Independent that the branch’s final day of operation Sunday, May 24. The restaurant, located on North Monroe Street, initially opened in October 1970.

“This restaurant holds a special place in Red Lobster’s history and has been a meaningful part of the community for decades. We’re grateful to the guests and team members who have supported it over the years,” the company said.

“As part of the normal course of business, Red Lobster continuously evaluates restaurant performance and lease terms and may, from time to time, choose to close or relocate select restaurants. This decision reflects individual business circumstances specific to this location.”

The store closure could be part of Red Lobster’s revival plan, after it filed for bankruptcy in May 2024. In February, CEO Damola Adamolekun told The Wall Street Journal that management had been reviewing restaurant leases and closing underperforming sites to sharpen the company’s focus on stronger markets.

The chain shuttered more than 100 restaurants across dozens of states during its 2024 Chapter 11 process and laid off hundreds of workers.

The company then escaped bankruptcy in September 2024 after being acquired by RL Investor Holdings LLC and receiving approximately $70 million in fresh investment. At the time, Adamolekun became the CEO and brought new ideas to Red Lobster’s menu and marketing.

“There’s a lot of positive signs, but we inherited a very damaged brand, so there’s still work to do to repair all of that,” Adamolekun, the former CEO of P.F. Chang’s, told the WSJ.

Under Adamolekun’s leadership, Red Lobster has overhauled its menu, launched a happy hour to attract more customers and refreshed its marketing strategy. To improve the in-restaurant experience, the company introduced a “red carpet hospitality” program, directing hostesses to acknowledge guests from 10 feet away and engage with them when they are within four feet.

In April, the chain announced the return of its popular all-you-can-eat Endless Shrimp promotion for dine-in customers. Guests can choose between five shrimp dishes, including Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, Walt’s Favorite Shrimp, Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Parrot Isle Coconut Shrimp and a new “Marry Me Shrimp” inspired by the viral online recipe, with tiered pricing from $24.99 to $29.99. Customers start with three dishes and can order up to two more at a time.

“This is about putting our guests first and bringing back something they truly love,” Adamolekun said in a statement. “Endless Shrimp has been a part of Red Lobster’s legacy for 20 years and our guests have never stopped asking for it. We’re excited to bring it back, for a limited time, in a way that works for our business today and honors what made it special from the beginning. Because when our fans talk, we listen.”

The promotion was extremely popular in restaurants in 2023 and reportedly caused Red Lobster to lose about $11 million in just three months.