Red Lobster Announces Major Menu Changes: EXCLUSIVE

Red Lobster is introducing new menu changes to delight seafood lovers – including those on TikTok.

Damola Adamolekun, the restaurant chain’s new 35-year-old CEO, revealed the changes, which include nine new items and the reintroduction of a long-time fan favorite, during an exclusive Nov. 11 interview on the third hour of TODAY.

Adamolekun said his goal is to help make Red Lobster — which filed for bankruptcy and closed about 100 locations earlier this year — better than it was before.

“We want Red Lobster to be relevant, compelling and exciting for the future, and that’s what we’re working on now,” Adamolekun told Savannah Sellers.

Part of that success, Adamolekun said, is the introduction of a new menu on November 11th. Although the menu is 20% smaller, it features nine new dishes, including bacon-wrapped scallops, a lobster bisque and some new pasta dishes.

That includes reintroducing the chain’s popular Hush Puppies, which have been missing from the menu in recent years.

“A few years ago there was an uproar on social media about us taking away the Hush Puppies. So that’s coming back,” Adamolekun said.

Hush Puppies may be back on the menu, but another longstanding item is gone: the chain’s famous Ultimate Endless Shrimp promotion.

Read on to learn more about Red Lobster’s new menu. (Are you listening, Flavor Flav?)

Red Lobster’s new menu

Red Lobster’s new menu includes nine new items, including bacon-wrapped scallops, a lobster bisque and several new pasta dishes.

The chain’s famous Hush Puppies, which have been off the menu in recent years, are back, which Adamolekun says will make guests happy.

“I’m expecting a rush to our restaurants because we’re bringing back the Hush Puppies,” he joked.

The return of the Hush Puppies is good news, especially for Al Roker.

“I stopped going to Red Lobster because they stopped the Hush puppies. I’ve loved the Hush Puppies since I was in college. I’m glad they’re back,” said the co-host of TODAY’s third hour.

No more unlimited shrimp

Has an action been eliminated as a result of the redesign? The chain’s famous Ultimate Endless Shrimp, which has inspired many TikTok users to film themselves eating the crustaceans.

Adamolekun decided to scrap the unlimited shrimp campaign “because I can do the math,” he joked. He previously noted that the campaign cost the chain money.

However, when asked if he could ever return, he said anything was possible.

Adjustments to the tartar sauce based on feedback from TikTok fans

Adamolekun has also heard the complaints of TikTok users complaining about the restaurant’s tartar sauce recipe.

“It’s being repaired. I hear you, TikTok. … In my estimation it will be a better version because we tried the old one and this new one, this new one is better,” he said.

The Lobster Festival is still in full swing

With all the menu changes, diners might be worried that Red Lobster is doing away with Lobsterfest, the restaurant’s annual lobster festival featuring special lobster dishes that aren’t available year-round.

But they need not worry, Adamolekun said. Not only is Lobsterfest still in full swing, but guests can expect it to be an even bigger event.

“This year we want to make (Lobsterfest) bigger and better than ever before. Do you know what we call it? “The GLOAT: the biggest lobster festival ever,” he said.