Red Lobster has been facing closures around the country, with up to 135 more stores expected to shut down. This closure has hit hard on Black diners, who have been a loyal base for the brand. The former CEO mentioned that Red Lobster has always welcomed Black customers, unlike some other brands. In a 2015 presentation to investors, it was noted that 16% of customers were Black, higher than the Black share of the US population.
The history of Red Lobster and its connection with Black customers goes back to the chain’s beginnings in the late 1960s in the South. Notable Black celebrities like Chris Rock and Nicki Minaj have worked at Red Lobster before becoming famous. Beyoncé even mentioned taking a partner to Red Lobster in a song, emphasizing its place in Black culture. Red Lobster attracted both working-class and affluent Black diners in the 1970s and 1980s, providing a welcoming atmosphere at a time when many restaurants were unwelcoming to Black patrons.
Red Lobster’s early locations near shopping malls also helped it grow with Black customers. The chain was racially integrated when it opened in 1968 in Lakeland, Florida, after the tense period of civil rights protests and fights for desegregation in the South. Red Lobster was one of the few establishments that were receptive to Black patrons. There have been claims that the founder of Red Lobster welcomed all guests at his tables, but that was not necessarily true in the early days.
Despite claims that the Green Frog restaurant, the first restaurant by Red Lobster’s founder, was desegregated, Black customers who grew up in Waycross, Georgia, remember differently. The Green Frog did not initially welcome Black customers. However, Red Lobster gradually built its strength with Black patrons as it expanded across the country, developing a reputation for being friendly and open to Black customers. Black staff were hired when new restaurants opened, and the chain later developed marketing strategies to attract Black diners.
Red Lobster’s cuisine, with its focus on seafood and traditional fish dishes, played a significant role in attracting Black customers. Outdoor fish fries were a popular tradition in Black communities, and Red Lobster brought that experience indoors, allowing diners to enjoy a similar experience in a sit-down restaurant setting. For many Black diners, Red Lobster represented a step up from traditional outdoor fish fries, becoming a marker of status and luxury. Despite its recent decline and closures, Red Lobster remains an essential part of Black dining culture and history.
