Red Lobster has closed a restaurant in MichiganCredit: Alamy

Red Lobster‘s latest closure came in Michigan, on the order of the Bangor Township and Bay City.

The location closed on Sunday, according to former restaurant employees.

If diners try to call the Red Lobster, they will be met with a voicemail alerting them to the closure.

It says: “We would like to thank our guests for their loyalty over the years and look forward to serving you at a different location.”

Red Lobster’s website may still list the restaurant on its website, but the restaurant’s hours have been changed to “closed” for every day of the week.

The chain’s nearest other location is in Saginaw Township.

Other nearby locations include those in Mt. Pleasant and Mt. Morris Township.

Despite the continued closures, Red Lobster has exited Chapter 11 bankruptcy with a new CEO, Damola Adamolekun, formerly the CEO of P.F. Chang’s.

The bankruptcy saw the closure of at least 87 locations across the United States.

A number of states lost locations, including:

Alabama

California

Colorado

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Maryland

Michigan

Mississippi

New York

New Jersey

North Dakota

Oklahoma

South Carolina

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

Under its new CEO, Red Lobster has launched several initiatives to overhaul its menu and lower prices for diners.

Adamolekun outlined several of the changes in a message to customers.

He said: “Hi, I’m Damola, CEO of Red Lobster. It’s a new day, and we’re making changes we think you’ll be happy with.”

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.

These changes included the return of hush puppies., but he also stressed that key things would remain the same.

Adamolekun added: “One thing that won’t be changing: these Cheddar Bay Biscuits.

“We got that right the first time.”

(The U.S SUN)

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