The Shrimp Promotion That Sank a Restaurant Empire

Imagine a restaurant promotion so popular that it drives customers to stuff themselves with shrimp for hours on end, causing chaos in the kitchen and making tables scarce. This is the story of Red Lobster's all-you-can-eat shrimp fiasco, which cost the business millions and led to numerous closures. The chain, based in Florida, turned a simple menu item into a nightmare for its staff and customers alike.

New CEO Damola Adamolekun, a 35-year-old Harvard Business School graduate with experience at PF Changs, is stepping in to fix the mess. He plans to simplify the menu and invest in infrastructure, technology, and even chairs—a task that will take time given the sheer number of restaurants involved. Adamolekun doesn't see his age as a hindrance; he credits his experience and character for landing him the job. Before the bankruptcy scare, Red Lobster was founded in 1968 and became famous for its Cheddar Bay Biscuits. In an interesting twist, former Public Enemy star Flavor Flav tried to save the chain by ordering the entire menu for his family. While his effort is commendable, it's clear that Red Lobster needs more than just a rapper's support to bounce back from this shrimp-induced crisis.

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