While the chain has yet to release any numbers confirming its turnaround, anecdotally, I can say Red Lobster seems to be doing a lot of things right when it comes to bringing customers back through the doors.
I thought the food is of better quality than it was two years ago, prices are pretty reasonable — especially given the increased cost of seafood — and the chain appears to be experimenting with new and exciting menu innovation and value-focused initiatives, two facets that are proving successful for other casual-dining chains like Chili’s.
The restaurant design and atmosphere have largely stayed the same, but Red Lobster plans to remodel its 545 locations. The renovation is expected to cost upward of $500,000 per restaurant and could take four to five years to complete, The Los Angeles Times reported.
I was also impressed by the serving sizes of all the items I ordered — they were more than enough to split between two people or take home half for leftovers, which I did.
I was thankful for that, especially as the final cost of my meal, including a soft drink, came to $71.27, before tax and tip.
Going out to eat at Red Lobster can cost more than at another casual-dining chain like Chili’s or Applebee’s, simply because seafood tends to be more expensive. However, I’ll still be coming back for more.
