Many Red Lobster Restaurants Closing by August 31st (Nearly 150 Total Locations This Year)
Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy, but the chain may be far from over.
Early in May, we posted about Red Lobster quietly, and suddenly, shutting down 87 locations across the country – including the iconic Times Square location. Some have already experienced auctions where furnishings and equipment were sold off to the highest bidder.
Then news broke that the chain had filed for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy protection. And now we’ve heard that by August 31st, Red Lobster will be closing an additional 23 restaurants, bringing the total closed this year to around 150 locations.
However, Red Lobster just posted a hopeful open letter to patrons!
Amidst news of the bankruptcy filing, Red Lobster posted an open letter to fans stating their intent to continue serving seafood – and their infamous Cheddar Bay Biscuits – for generations to come!
In the letter, the restaurant states that they are not going out of business but rather protecting their future. The bankruptcy filing allows them to make changes to their business and cost structure. The company referenced both Hertz and Delta as examples of companies who have filed for bankruptcy but remain in business and “emerged stronger.”
Where did the restaurant closures take place?
Red Lobster locations in Alabama, California, Colorado, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Maryland, Michigan, Mississippi, New York, New Jersey, North Dakota, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Texas, Virginia, Washington, and Wisconsin have all seen sudden closures.
We’ll continue to update as we hear more!
Learn how to make our copycat Cheddar Bay Biscuits recipe at home!
They closed the one near me in Bloomingdale, IL
On Army Trail? That’s the one closest to me. Haven’t been recently but liked knowing it was there if we wanted to go.
Yeah! I was planning on going this weekend!
Ours closed yesterday abruptly in Watertown, NY
rip shrimplovers feast 🙁
😰😥😪
Their cheddar biscuits in the store are good. We get them at Sam’s Club.
I’ve seen those in store as well. Good to know they’re yummy! Hoping they might continue to have these available. 🤞❤️
They closed one here in North Carolina.
So sad! So sad! My heart hurts as this was a childhood fav of mine. My parents would take us one pay day Friday a month in the 80s. In my 30-50s, I still enjoyed dining there on occasion. My closest one closed 3 yrs ago now the next one has too. 😞😢 RIP cheddar biscuits
Such a bummer to hear about the locations near you, ShoppingFan. 😔❤️ What a special memory with your parents!
They closed the one in Kingston NY without telling any of the employees!
Oh no! That’s heartbreaking for those employees. 😔 Thanks for sharing with us about a location near you. ❤️
I actually dined at one the day before it closed. No one had any idea but something felt off to me, no items at the tables, no lobsters in the tank, dirty unkept bathroom. And the next day it was locked up. Our portions were weirdly huge. But even the employees were unaware. And a sign to other local places that are hiring for the employees was listed on the door. Super weird.
Our local red lobster is not included in the list (yet). I guess we should go this week and use the gift card before it’s too late.
Ours isn’t included yet either. 🤞 Glad you can head in with your gift card, Riss. Enjoy! ❤️
Poughkeepsie, NY closed
I live in the Charlotte market and they haven’t closed yet. However, I was very dissapointed today because when I looked at the menu, it still listed the $25 all you can eat shrimp deal. However, when I ordered, the waitress told me it was “Just Mondays Only”. I didn’t argue with her, but they had no sign on the door or no note on the menu stating that. I just told her never mind and walked out the door.
It makes me so sad when I hear of the restaurants that close and their employees are given no notice at all. That is just awful. We moved to WI a little over a year ago and have a red lobster not far from us that we have been enjoying going for lunch about once a month. The staff are exceptional as is the food. We had stopped going to the one we used to regularly go to by our old home because the quality had really diminsihed. I am relieved to see it is not on the list of locations that closed. Hoping that all the employees facing job losses are able to find replacement jobs quickly.
I thought they could be sued by not giving employees 60 days notice of a layoff. The WARN act.