Red Lobster
Red Lobster is a U.S. chain of seafood restaurants. It also operates in Canada and Japan. It is aimed at the mid-level "casual dining" segment of the market. The menu includes a variety of specialty seafood and non-seafood entrees, appetizers, salads, and desserts.
Company growth and franchises
Red Lobster was founded in 1968 by entrepreneurs Bill Darden and Joe Lee. Originally billed as a "Harbor for Seafood Lovers", the original restaurant in Lakeland, Florida was followed by several others throughout the Southeast. General Mills acquired Red Lobster in 1970 as a five-unit restaurant company and rapidly expanded the company nationwide. Today, there are over 600 Red Lobster locations throughout the United States and Canada. There are also a small number of Red Lobster restaurants located in Japan.
In 1995, Red Lobster (along with the Olive Garden, Smokey Bones BBQ and Grill, and Bahama Breeze) became part of Darden Restaurants. Seasons 52 has since been added to the list of Darden owned and operated restaurants.
Red Lobster used to offer an annual endless snow crab leg promotion. However, in 2003 the promotion resulted in parent company Darden Restaurants taking a $US 3 million charge to 3rd quarter earnings resulting in CEO Edna Morris' departure from the company. The ill timed promotion was launched amid high wholesale crab legs prices. The chain also underestimated how many times guest would order more. (Newton, Benita (2003-10-26). "All-you-can-eat was too much". St. Petersburg Times. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help))
There are currently 31 Red Lobsters in Canada, as well as Red Lobsters in 44 of the 50 states in the United States.
Cheddar Bay Biscuits
Aside from its seafood, Red Lobster is also known for its signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits accompanying a purchased entree.
The ingredients in the biscuits include a preblended biscuit mix, not unlike Bisquick, and shredded cheddar cheese. After baking they are brushed with a combination of "liquid buttery sauce," consisting mostly of hydrogenated vegetable oil, salt and artificial coloring, and the same garlic seasoning powder used in the chain's shrimp scampi.
The biscuit was introduced in the early 1990s; prior to that Red Lobster served garlic bread.