Say bye bye to Red Lobster restaurant

A RED Lobster restaurant in the US is closing at the end of the week after 56 years.

The seafood chain has experienced a turbulent few years following its 2024 bankruptcy and mass closure wave of 130 locations.

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Now, the chain has confirmed the permanent closure of a location in Tallahassee, Florida, on Sunday, May 24.

The restaurant is Red Lobster‘s longest continuously running location, having survived the bankruptcy two years ago.

During its bankruptcy, Red Lobster closed 17 restaurants in Florida.

When Red Lobster was beginning to make its bankruptcy comeback with a new CEO and operational changes, the new General Manager of the Florida spot told customers that it wasn’t finished yet.

At the time, the newly-appointed manager Nicholas Southerland told diners not to write it off, and that “Things have changed; give us a chance.”

He continued: “Our community deserves a place to come and enjoy and be able to just spend time together.

“I wanted to see a restaurant that is in the heart of the community back running. I wanted to help bring it back to life.”

The Tallahassee restaurant launched a new menu amid the chain’s $60 million investment from backers, but it wasn’t enough in the long term.

On social media, diners were shocked at the restaurant closure news.

One person wrote, “Please tell me this isn’t true,” and another said it was “Sad to hear.”

Timeline leading to Red Lobster’s financial woes

Red Lobster has been a staple in the United States ever since its launch in 1968. But the business has recently been hit with financial troubles and it is now reportedly considering filing for bankruptcy.

1968: Bill Darden opened the first Red Lobster as a family-owned restaurant in Lakeland, Florida.

1970: Red Lobster caught the attention of General Mills and became backed by their resources. Stores start to rapidly open across the nation

1974: Popcorn shrimp debuts

1983: Red Lobster’s first Canadian restaurant opens

1984: Chain hosts its first-ever Lobster Fest

1992: Famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits are unveiled for the first time

1995: General Mills creates a spin-off of its restaurant division, known as Darden Restaurants, Inc.

2003: The yearly tradition of Endless Shrimp starts

2006: “Today’s Fresh Fish” menu makes its debut, bringing fresh, regional seafood to Red Lobsters everywhere

2010: Red Lobsters everywhere see an interior makeover inspired by the historic fishing village of Bar Harbor, Maine.

2014: Darden Restaurants, Inc. sells Red Lobster to Golden Golden Gate Capital for $1.2 billion.

2016: Thai Union Group pays $575 million for a 25% stake in the chain.

2020: Thai Union Group purchases a 49% majority stake in the chain from Golden Golden Gate Capital for an undisclosed amount of money and Red Lobster reports record-breaking profits, pulling in $6.5 billion for the year.

2023: Endless Shrimp becomes a permanent part of the menu

2024: Red Lobster announces a $22 million loss for 2023, majority shareholder Thai Union Group announces it is looking to sell its shares. Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy in May.

Red Lobster‘s closures have faced renewed attention recently after a location in San Diego, California, was questioned by locals.

It has sat vacant for two years, despite other closed Red Lobster spots in the United States being swiped by other retailers.

The property manager’s lease expires in 2028, and following that, the site is expected to be redeveloped.

Business owners and locals have demanded “clarity” to what they describe as being left in “limbo”.