Red Lobster’s Tallahassee Flagship to Close Amid Restructuring

Red Lobster at 2583 North Monroe Street in Tallahassee, Florida, will close on Sunday, May 24, 2026. Opened in October 1970, it is the chain’s oldest continuously operating restaurant, having survived the 2024 Chapter 11 filing and the subsequent shutdown of 130 stores, including 17 in Florida.

Red Lobster Tallahassee Closure Ends 56-Year Run on North Monroe Street — Mogaz

Red Lobster emerged from Chapter 11 in September 2024 with a $60 million investment from Fortress Investment Group. The plan has since closed 126 locations nationwide, trimming the footprint from roughly 545 sites to about 460 across 44 states. The Tallahassee outlet avoided the first wave of cuts and even hosted a grand re-opening in October 2024.

Red Lobster Tallahassee Closure Ends 56-Year Run on North Monroe Street — Mogaz

Damola Adamolekun became CEO in August 2024. He says the brand shows “a lot of positive signs” but remains “very damaged,” requiring repair. Former CEO Jonathan Tibus, cited in the 2023 bankruptcy filing, noted that the “endless shrimp” promotion contributed $11 million to that year’s loss.

USA Today

2023 net loss was $76 million; $11 million stemmed from the endless-shrimp promotion. Sales rose about 10 % year-over-year, driven by younger diners. Workforce cuts removed roughly 200 restaurant employees (?1 %) in Dec 2025 and about 10 % of corporate staff. Location counts vary between 460 and roughly 480.

Red Lobster Tallahassee Closure Ends 56-Year Run on North Monroe Street — Mogaz

Adamolekun told the Wall Street Journal the brand is “showing positive signs” but still needs “significant repair work.” He said the firm is reviewing leases and may close more restaurants to sustain its post-bankruptcy recovery. Red Lobster declined to comment to USA TODAY about the Tallahassee shutdown.

USA Today

Longtime kitchen worker Horace Williams described the restaurant’s pace as steady and relentless, noting he routinely prepared over a hundred meals per shift and that customer traffic varied widely throughout the day.

Red Lobster Tallahassee Closure Ends 56-Year Run on North Monroe Street — Mogaz

Red Lobster’s website lists about 460 locations, while other reports cite roughly 480 after recent cuts, showing a discrepancy in the chain’s current footprint. No explanation has been given for the Tallahassee closure despite its survivor status.

Red Lobster Tallahassee Closure Ends 56-Year Run on North Monroe Street — Mogaz

• “There’s a lot of positive signs, but we inherited a very damaged brand, so there’s still work to do to repair all of that.” — Damola Adamolekun, CEO, Red Lobster

USA Today

• “I have cooked over a hundred meals a day, sometimes 150,” — Horace Williams, kitchen worker, Red Lobster Tallahassee

Red Lobster Tallahassee Closure Ends 56-Year Run on North Monroe Street — Mogaz

• “It all depends on how many people come in that door.” — Horace Williams, kitchen worker, Red Lobster Tallahassee

Red Lobster Tallahassee Closure Ends 56-Year Run on North Monroe Street — Mogaz

• “end of an era” — Tallahassee Democrat

USA Today

Red Lobster will run a limited-time “endless shrimp” promotion starting April 21, with no set end date. Management continues to review lease contracts, indicating that further restaurant closures remain possible as the chain works to stabilize finances and rebuild its brand.

USA Today