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America’s biggest seafood chain has had a different look lately.
From an advertising campaign with *NYSNC member Joey Fatone to reviving fan favorites like popcorn shrimp and hush puppies, Red Lobster has heavily leaned into nostalgia and cost-cutting.
The chain has also refreshed its menu with seafood boils, $19.99 shrimp deals and $20 lobster rolls. Led by 36-year-old CEO Damola Adamolekun, the rebrand has been well-received by the casual dining restaurant’s biggest fans.
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“Joey from *NSYNC being in this ad was all the motivation I needed to go to Red Lobster,” one X user wrote.
“I will try Red Lobster because of the new menu very soon!” another said. “Food is expensive, and Red Lobster has always been pretty good and affordable.”
Red Lobster’s turnaround has been linked to new leadership and a fresh marketing push. (Brandon Bell/Getty Images; Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
It stands in stark contrast to Cracker Barrel, which was panned by its biggest fans for trading its Southern-inspired logo for a sleek, modern one.
The company has since reversed the decision.
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Red Lobster’s rebrand is also notable given that the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in May 2024 after closing 93 of its locations across the country. As of last September, Red Lobster still operates 544 locations, per Reuters.
“Food is deeply linked to memories, family moments and comfort.”
Since then, the chain has restructured some pricing – such as switching its Ultimate Endless Shrimp deal, which led to an $11 million loss, Reuters reported, to an Ultimate SpendLESS Shrimp special.
The company’s $20 lobster roll and $19.99 shrimp promotions have gained attention from diners. (iStock)
So what’s behind the new old-school appeal? Fox News Digital spoke with branding professionals for analysis of the move.
Amore Philip, a New York public relations strategist, said the reintroduction of old dishes “is closely tied to consumer psychology.”
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“When a restaurant chain brings back items that longtime customers remember fondly, it taps into an emotional connection that goes beyond taste,” Philip noted.
Red Lobster has been reviving fan favorites (not pictured) alongside new menu innovations. (iStock)
“Food is deeply linked to memories, family moments and comfort,” she told Fox News Digital. “By reviving these classic dishes, Red Lobster isn’t just selling menu items. It’s offering a sense of familiarity and belonging.”
Philip said she’s seen the nostalgia trend across the restaurant and retail industries, but Red Lobster’s Joey Fatone campaign was a unique spin on the concept.
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“This integration of retro menu items with pop-culture storytelling allows [the brand] to connect with multiple generations simultaneously,” she said.
Red Lobster CEO Damola Adamolekun, pictured at right next to rapper Ice Cube, is steering the chain through a bold rebrand. (Gerardo Mora/Getty Images for Red Lobster x BIG3)
“It signals that Red Lobster isn’t just revisiting the past. It’s reinventing it in a way that keeps the brand relevant today.”
International brand consultant Nadja Atwal told Fox News Digital that Red Lobster’s rebrand “remind[s] America that the claws still have fight left.”
“With new leadership, bold renovations, celebrity tie-ins and a customer-first mindset, Red Lobster is rewriting the playbook for how legacy chains survive – and thrive – in the TikTok era,” she noted.
Atwal, who splits her time between New York and Germany, cautioned that, at the end of the day, it all comes down to food quality and flavor.
“With new leadership, bold renovations, celebrity tie-ins and a customer-first mindset, Red Lobster is rewriting the playbook,” an international brand consultant said. (Michael Nagle/Bloomberg via Getty Images; iStock)
“Don’t get lost in the memory lane photo-ops. They’ve got to keep delivering flavor, value and experience in real-time,” she said.
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Fox News Digital reached out to Red Lobster for comment.
