Red Lobster could close additional restaurants if it is unable to renegotiate their leases, according to bankruptcy documents filed last week.
The company listed 228 rejected leases it says will keep losing money if they continue operating as they currently are. The list of restaurants includes at least some of the restaurants it has already closed, according to Restaurant Business.
As of May 22, the company's website listed 99 locations closed across 28 states, with some of them having their kitchen equipment auctioned off on an online restaurant liquidator. This means that an additional 129 restaurants are in danger of closing.
Red Lobster included perhaps its most well-known location in Times Square among the 228 rejected leases, however the New York Post reported the company is working to keep it open. The news outlet reported that the owners of the property, located at 5 Times Square, are asking for an annual rent of $2.2 million for the 16,482 square-foot space. Red Lobster has occupied the space for 22 years, according to the Post.
The company's bankruptcy filing in the Middle District of Florida details how Red Lobster has struggled in various ways, including a 30% drop in guests since 2019. In a 124-page document obtained by USA TODAY last month, Red Lobster CEO Jonathan Tibus explains why the seafood restaurant chain filed for bankruptcy last month and why he supports the decision.
"Recently, the debtors have faced a number of financial and operational challenges, including a difficult macroeconomic environment, a bloated and underperforming restaurant footprint, failed or ill-advised strategic initiatives, and increased competition within the restaurant industry," Tibus said in the bankruptcy document.
USA TODAY reached out to Red Lobster for comment but they did not respond in time for publication.
Closed Red Lobster locations:Red Lobster lists 99 restaurants closed in 28 states: See locations closing in your state
Here's a full list of the 228 rejected leases Red Lobster listed in its bankruptcy documents, which contains some restaurants that have already closed.
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, USA TODAY
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at [email protected]
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