“Last year, Red Lobster reported $11 million in operating losses following its flubbed ‘Ultimate Endless Shrimp’ deal, which backfired when it reeled in too many customers after the limited-time promo became a permanent menu fixture last June. The restaurant chain later reported $12.5 million in losses in the fourth quarter of 2023.”

  • @[email protected]
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    917 months ago

    Well considering that I’m a “millennial” and literally not a single person I know has ever visited, requested, or mentioned Red Lobster as a restaurant choice… they might have deeper trouble than some shitty shrimp. Can’t run a business forever when your largest potential market is 65+…

    • @[email protected]
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      557 months ago

      The “endless shrimp” excuse seems like a marketing ploy. Doesn’t hit as hard as “no one’s coming to our restaurants to eat our shitty food.”

    • @[email protected]
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      267 months ago

      The biscuits are the best part and they sell the mix, so not a lot of reason to visit if there’s any other options for seafood.

    • Malle_Yeno
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      147 months ago

      I live in Saskatchewan, which is as land locked as it gets in Canada. And for some reason, my city has a Red Lobster. I don’t think I’ve heard anyone talk about going to it because who would expect a seafood restaurant all the way out here to be good? I have no clue how they’re making enough money to operate.

      (Also, nice pfp! 🐾 )

      • @[email protected]
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        227 months ago

        Everything in red lobster is frozen anyway.

        But then again, all fish is frozen before being served to kill parasites. Even the most delicious sushi will be flash frozen first. I’ve had high end raw fish in Las Vegas, a literal dessert.

        That said, yeah, Red Lobster isn’t going to be top notch on the coast, let alone butt fuck nowhere.

    • FlashMobOfOne
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      87 months ago

      Once their cheddar biscuits became purchasable on a store shelf, I imagine that decreased the impetus to visit the actual restaurant.

      Their biscuits are the best part.

    • @[email protected]
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      77 months ago

      In the late 90s I mentioned never having tried lobster. This resulted in a dangerous u-turn and a drive to the closest red lobster. Only time I went and I forgot until your comment.

      • wolfkin
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        107 months ago

        @cyborganism @wreckedcarzz If you take internet reviews there are only three types of restaurants.

        1. Excellent places that deserve their Michelin Stars

        2. Excellent places that should have Michelin Stars

        3. Diarrhea fuel garbage pits. With food so disgusting you shouldn’t even feed it to the stray dog that bit your baby.

        On our national deal hunting website you can see all the “It gives you diarrhea comments” every time there’s a coupon for McDonalds or franchised Shawarma

        • @[email protected]
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          47 months ago

          Chain restaurants also have a ton of variance. Most Olive garden is shit these dates, but A. They were great in the mid 90s before they enshittified, and B. I’m sure there’s still a great Olive Garden out there somewhere.

    • wolfkin
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      7 months ago

      @wreckedcarzz @cyborganism

      this is hilarious fellow millennial, because I just went to Red Lobster today and had a great time.

      Of course this was the first time I’ve been in 20+ years so it’s not like I’m a regular.

    • @[email protected]
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      57 months ago

      They always had the perception of expensive for me. So growing up, they were a special occasion place to get seafood. I’ve been a few times in the last few years. Their food was good, but not great and the places were never packed.

      Between Red Lobster and almost any other seafood place, the other one would win out for taste and quality.

      They had a huge marketing issue, offering “cheap” all you can eat, but making the place look and try to feel like a upscale option when it was basically a seafood Applebee’s.

      • @[email protected]
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        27 months ago

        It’s like Panera or Olive Garden. Just boring flavorless food that is only attractive to people who don’t know better.

    • @[email protected]
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      47 months ago

      It is peak 90s restaurant culture.

      And then in some areas seen as luxury. Same goes for Olive Garden.

      • @[email protected]
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        27 months ago

        You can make them at home. Sam’s Club, and Costco both sell the dough mix. It also allows you to use white extra sharp cheddar to make them that much yummier

    • @[email protected]
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      37 months ago

      I’ve been to red lobster once and spent a very uncomfortable period of time on the porcelain throne shortly after. The news of bankruptcy does not surprise me.