Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

Red Lobster Turns AI-Forward Post-Bankruptcy, Forecasts Profit

6/20/2026

26 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

CEO Damola Adamolekun announced Red Lobster will become the most AI-forward restaurant company.
After emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024, the chain will use AI to forecast sales, predict demand and automate ordering.
COO Larry Konecny now receives automated metric reports generated by the AI system.
Analysts expect Red Lobster to post positive net income by the end of the fiscal year.

History

Historical Context

In 1999 McDonald's began testing “E-Clerks” kiosks, a step that expanded to self-service ordering and AI-driven drive-throughs, with drive-throughs now accounting for about 70 % of its sales. After Domino’s added IBM Watson in 2018, AI forecasting became mainstream, and Red Lobster, emerging from its September 2024 Chapter 11 exit, is using AI to predict sales under CEO Damola Adamolekun and COO Larry Konecny.

1 of 2

Story summary

CEO Damola Adamolekun announced Red Lobster will become the most AI-forward restaurant company.
After emerging from Chapter 11 bankruptcy in September 2024, the chain will use AI to forecast sales, predict demand and automate ordering.
COO Larry Konecny now receives automated metric reports generated by the AI system.
Analysts expect Red Lobster to post positive net income by the end of the fiscal year.

1 / 2