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A popular restaurant chain known for its casual dining and seafood-focused menu abruptly closed more than 50 locations around the country, including three right here in Georgia.
Red Lobster suddenly closed three of its establishments in the Peach State without notice amid its efforts to fight off bankruptcy. The company has reportedly struggled financially thanks in part to its popular Ultimate Endless Shrimp deal. The all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion was previously a limited-time special but the company recently made it available all the time for $20, a move that reportedly led to a loss of $12.5 million.
Select Red Lobster locations that have closed around Georgia include establishments in Athens, Roswell and Dublin.
Closures span over 20 states as the chain continues its "footprint rationalization," per ABC News. It is unclear at this time whether any other Red Lobster locations will close their doors.
TAGeX Brands, a liquidation company, is also auctioning off items like kitchen equipment, table and chairs from the shuttered restaurants, with auctions being held in several states in what the company called "the largest restaurant equipment auction ever." The sales follow a "winner takes all" approach, which mean one winner will receive the entirety of contents from one location. More information can be found at TAGeX Brand's website.