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Red Lobster abruptly shutters more than 80 U.S. restaurants, including 4 in N.J.: See the full list

Red Lobster

This exterior of a Red Lobster restaurant.AP

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Update: Red Lobster files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after suddenly closing 88 locations

Red Lobster abruptly shuttered more than 80 U.S. restaurants Monday, including four locations in New Jersey as the chain considers filing for bankruptcy.

According to the chain’s website, 88 restaurants in 27 states were listed as “temporarily closed.”

Workers reportedly received no notice of the closures. The decision to suddenly close locations just comes a little over a month after news broke that the company was considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

A liquidation company is also hosting an online auction of kitchen equipment, furniture, tables and chairs of the restaurants that have closed.

The closures come as Red Lobster had been considering filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in recent weeks if the chain did not find a buyer to solve its financial woes.

The Florida-based chain is reportedly considering bankruptcy to downsize its 650-location footprint and restructure its debt, according to CNN.

The chain, known for its endless shrimp deals, has been struggling not just financially, but also with its leadership.

In 2021 and 2022, its CEO, chief marketing officer, chief information officer and chief financial officer all joined the company and then left within two years. Thai Union, Red Lobster’s top supplier, also cut ties with the brand.

Read More: Applebee’s closing 35 locations across the U.S. in 2024

Red Lobsters Closing 2024: See the Full List

Here’s the full list of Red Lobster closures as of Monday:

Alabama

Arizona

California

Colorado

Florida

Georgia

Idaho

Illinois

Indiana

Iowa

Kansas

Louisiana

Maryland

Mississippi

Missouri

New Jersey

New York

North Carolina

North Dakota

Oklahoma

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

Tennessee

Texas

Virginia

Washington

Wisconsin

More Major Retailer Closings

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Katherine Rodriguez can be reached at krodriguez@njadvancemedia.com. Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips.

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