Hush puppies, as soon as a staple on Pink Lobster’s menu, are coming again.
It’s a part of broader modifications on the chain, which just lately emerged from chapter and is now below the management of a 35-year-old CEO hoping to show across the seafood restaurant chain’s fortunes. Rolling out this week is an overhauled menu that’s 20% smaller however has 9 new objects, together with the beloved cornmeal fritters.
“There was a social media riot over us taking off the hush puppies a few years ago,” CEO Damola Adamolekun advised NBC Information. “I expect a stampede into our restaurants because we’re bringing back the hush puppies,” he jokingly added.
Among the many new objects are bacon-wrapped scallops, lobster bisque, lobster pappardelle and a Parmesan-crusted hen dish. Pink Lobster can be “crafting a new tartar sauce that brings back all the flavors” from its unique recipe, in keeping with its Fb account.
Adamolekun mentioned he needs to make Pink Lobster “relevant, compelling and exciting” and sure emulate the success of different chains, like Chili’s, whose gross sales are quickly rising after slimming down its menu and specializing in meals that individuals like to eat and share on TikTok.
However the chain nonetheless has to carry on to Pink Lobster’s buyer base of Child Boomers — round 40% are older than 55, a demographic Pink Lobster calls “quality traditionalists” — whereas additionally drawing in a brand new era of diners.
Diners will quickly discover new lighting on the eating places and new music as a part of Adamolekun’s efforts to draw youthful prospects who might need grown up going to the chain however haven’t been again for a while.
Pink Lobster emerged from chapter in September below new possession, led by considered one of its lenders, Fortress Funding Group, which has initially dedicated $60 million to revitalize the chain. It additionally employed Adamolekun, who just lately efficiently ran P.F. Chang’s, to guide the cost.
One menu merchandise that isn’t coming again instantly? The $19.99 infinite shrimp deal. “I never want to say never, but certainly not the way that it was done,” Adamolekun beforehand advised CNN. “We won’t have it in a way that’s losing money in that fashion and isn’t managed.”
The-CNN-Wire
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