Red Lobster Rebranded Themselves, and You Can Too

In May 2024, Red Lobster found themselves in hot water. After an “endless shrimp” deal that turned out to be a little too endless, the company lost over $11 million and closed more than 50 restaurants. It was a classic case of biting off more than you can chew.

Fast-forward a year, and Red Lobster has grazed their way back. With some savvy strategy, they’ve managed to turn things around. So how did they do it? And what can you learn from a seafood chain that flirted with disaster but came back fresher than ever?

Here’s how Red Lobster pulled off their glow-up, and how you can too:

1. Own Your Mistakes (and Make Them Part of the Story)

Red Lobster didn’t hide from their shrimp snafu. Instead, they leaned into their challenges and used it as a start for change. Transparency and humor helped reconnect them with customers.

What we can learn from this, is If your brand has made a misstep, address it, fix it, and maybe even make a self-deprecating joke or two. (People love a good comeback story.)

2. Reinvent Your Classics

Red Lobster refreshed their menu and leaned into what people already loved; their biscuits. They didn’t abandon their identity, they updated it.

Rebrand doesn’t have to mean “burn it all down.” It’s about polishing what’s great and tossing out what’s stale.

3. Embrace the Sense of Humor

Lobster memes? Shrimp gifs? They’re in on it. Red Lobster learned to speak fluent social media and made themselves part of the conversation instead of the punchline.

It’s important to let your brand’s personality shine online. Don’t be afraid to crack a joke or post a relatable meme. If a seafood chain can do it, so can you.

 4. Focus on What Makes Your Brand Special

At the end of the day, Red Lobster doubled down on what made them Red Lobster. Affordable seafood. Comfort food vibes. Endless shrimp. What more could you ask for?

The takeaways from Red Lobster’s rebranding method, ask yourself what’s your version of Cheddar Bay biscuits? Find it. Flaunt it. Build your rebrand around it.

Red Lobster’s story proves that even the most slippery situations can turn around with the right strategy. So whether you’re running a national restaurant chain or a small business, remember: it’s never too late for a refresh.

Ready to rebrand, refresh, or update your personal brand, company, business, or startup? Click the link here, fill out the form, and let’s get started together!