Red Lobster

Red Lobster Hospitality, LLC, doing business as Red Lobster, is an American casual dining restaurant chain headquartered in Orlando, Florida. 
==History==
The first Red Lobster restaurant was opened on January 18, 1968, in Lakeland, Florida, by Bill Darden and Charley Woodsby. https://www.today.com/food/red-lobster-turns-50-celebrate-cheddar-bay-biscuits-t121378 The oft-quoted date of March 27, 1968, is based on the incorporation date of Red Lobster Inns of America, Inc. in the Florida Secretary of State's Office. http://d1lge852tjjqow.cloudfront.net/NYSE-DRI/9912b96d-8cf9-4cd8-b8b0-f5252ec83756.pdf
Originally billed as the "Harbor for Seafood Lovers", the first restaurant was followed by four others throughout the American South. In 1970, General Mills acquired Red Lobster as a five-unit company and with new backing, the chain expanded rapidly in the 1980's. https://www.cnn.com/2024/06/08/business/red-lobster-black-history/index.html
On March 29, 1994, Bill Darden died, after an extended illness, at the age of 75. https://web.archive.org/web/20140824095313/http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/1994-03-30/business/9403300598_1_red-lobster-darden-seafood-restaurant
In 1995, Red Lobster became part of Darden Restaurants, Inc. During that time, General Mills decided to release Darden into an independent, publicly traded corporation. https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/940944/000119312511194810/d10k.htm
In 2009, Red Lobster debuted its new Bar Harbor restaurant prototype modeled after coastal New England architecture. The new exterior features include shingle and stone towers, signal flags, and Adirondack-style benches. The interior updates include dark wood paneling, warm-toned fabrics, soft lighting, and nautical decor and artwork. https://web.archive.org/web/20100105144736/http://www.timesfreepress.com/news/2009/dec/25/red-lobsters-cook-up-fresher-look/
In March 2024, Jonathan Tibus was hired as the company's new CEO. Officials deemed Red Lobster as a "zombie brand" and said that they were exploring options to save the company, including a restructuring turnaround, fire sale, or a possible bankruptcy filing. Red Lobster also announced that it was searching for a new buyer, and if one could not be found, the company may file for bankruptcy within the coming months. https://www.seafoodsource.com/news/business-finance/red-lobster-replaces-ceo-explores-bankruptcy-filing
On May 14, 2024, Red Lobster announced that it was preparing to file for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection, planning to restructure agreements with its landlords and creditors in efforts to shed some of its debt. On May 20, 2024, Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after securing over $100 million in financing commitments from its lenders. The company has also entered a stalking horse agreement to sell itself and have its lenders manage it, which will allow for the company to receive financing and shed some of its $1 billion debt. https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/red-lobster-seeks-bankruptcy-protection-with-100-mln-financing-commitments-2024-05-20/
On June 6, 2024, Red Lobster announced that if their bankruptcy plan ends up getting approved, up to 129 additional locations would be permanently shut down. On June 12, Flavor Flav was hired by the company to be the spokesperson of Red Lobster commercials, after he previously ordered the entire Red Lobster menu in order to save the company. In his first commercial, he announced that CrabFest would be returning to restaurants nationwide. https://www.usatoday.com/story/money/food/2024/06/12/red-lobster-flavor-flav-crabfest/74074706007/
==Channel==
The Red Lobster channel was created on January 15, 2008. Their first video was uploaded on February 9, 2018. Their first video is titled "LIVE with FOODBEAST." 
==References==
Category:Film YouTubers
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Category:American YouTubers
Category:Users who joined in 2008