Red Lobster Debuts New Restaurant Design in Tampa Bay, Inspired by the New England Coast

ORLANDO, Fla., April 26, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Red Lobster has announced a plan to redesign all of its Tampa Bay-area locations in a style reminiscent of the seaside village of Bar Harbor, Maine. Along with a fresh, updated look Red Lobster recently introduced new lunch and dinner menu items, inspired by regional flavors throughout America, that range in price from $8.99 to $18.50. The updated setting and new entrees offer Tampa Bay-area guests the chance to experience fresh, delicious, affordable seafood in a welcoming environment.

Fourteen Tampa Bay-area locations have been remodeled or newly constructed in the Bar Harbor design, including locations in Tampa, Lakeland, St. Petersburg, Sarasota, Bradenton, Sebring, Winter Haven, Brandon, Largo, Spring Hill, Port Richey and Clearwater.  

The new Bar Harbor design was developed by an internal team of architects and designers, and was selected after a rigorous, multi-year process that included guest focus groups, qualitative surveys and market testing. Updated exterior features include a stone tower, ship lanterns, Adirondack-style chairs to encourage guest conversation and mingling, and unique window decals that spell out the types of seafood guests will find inside. Guests will also notice new signage, featuring a contemporized logo with an updated lobster icon and a new modifier highlighting Red Lobster's signature fresh fish and live lobster. New interiors now feature cozy booths, warm wood paneling, softer lighting and nautical decor such as signal flags and seaside-inspired artwork. Thirty-three percent of restaurants will be remodeled by June 2011, with the goal of all Red Lobster restaurants receiving a remodel by the end of 2014.

"Red Lobster is proud to be a part of the Tampa Bay community, and while area guests have enjoyed our delicious seafood and friendly service for years, they recently expressed a desire for a more up-to-date atmosphere," said Mike Stroud, Red Lobster's senior vice president of operations in the region. "We took their feedback to heart and are pleased to now offer our Tampa Bay-area guests a beautiful new setting that matches the quality of seafood we serve."

As part of this ongoing commitment to its local communities, Red Lobster is proud to donate art work and other decor, dining tables and chairs, booth seating and host/hostess stands from its recently remodeled restaurants to Habitat for Humanity International. These furnishings will be sold at local Habitat for Humanity ReStore resale outlets in the Tampa Bay-area.

In addition to the restaurant's updated features, Red Lobster recently debuted new lunch and dinner entrees at all Tampa Bay-area locations, inspired by the different flavors and regional tastes of America, that range in price from $8.99 to $18.50.

New dishes include:  

• Maple-Glazed Salmon and Shrimp – Inspired by the Northeast
• Pecan-Crusted Jumbo Shrimp – Inspired by the Southeast
• Cedar Plank Salmon – Inspired by the Pacific Northwest
• New England Lobster Rolls (Lunch and Dinner) – Inspired by New England with a new twist
• Parmesan-Crusted Tilapia – A classic favorite
• Shrimp Flatbread and Grilled Shrimp Salad (Lunch) – A new lunch classic

"As the place that introduced America to seafood, our menu takes inspiration from different flavors and regions throughout the country," said Michael LaDuke, Red Lobster's senior executive chef. "I love being a part of Red Lobster because we continuously innovate and bring guests new dishes to please every taste and budget."

These initiatives are just the latest enhancements Red Lobster has made to its dining experience. Guests in the Tampa Bay-area can still enjoy their favorite selections from the restaurant's signature Today's Fresh Fish Menu, or a dish expertly prepared by Certified Grill Masters on the Wood-Fire Grill. No matter the dish, guests will always be treated to Red Lobster's friendly, attentive and personalized service, guaranteeing their dining experience is a memorable one.

ABOUT RED LOBSTER

Red Lobster is the world's largest casual dining seafood restaurant with nearly 700 locations and more than 63,000 employees delivering the highest-quality seafood to guests across North America. Guests can enjoy selections from Red Lobster's signature Wood-Fire Grill and Today's Fresh Fish menus in a warm, inviting atmosphere. Red Lobster was recently named "Best Family Restaurant in America" by Men's Health Editor in Chief, David Zinczenko, and listed among the "10 Best Family Restaurants" by Parents magazine. Red Lobster is a division of Darden Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: DRI), the world's largest full-service restaurant operating company. In 2011, Darden became the first full-service restaurant company ever to be named to the FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For" list. Red Lobster is proud to support Darden's spirit of service through philanthropic and volunteer support of organizations like Habitat for Humanity International. For more information on Red Lobster's new dishes or to find a remodeled location, please visit www.RedLobster.com.

Contact Information:
Erica Jaeger
(407) 245-4615
[email protected]

Debra Auerbach
(312) 233-1271
[email protected]

SOURCE Red Lobster