Red Lobster is serving nostalgia with a side of leadership, and at the center of the table is 36-year-old CEO Damola Adamolekun. The Nigerian-American executive is bringing fresh energy to the iconic seafood chain, and he’s not afraid to get in front of the camera to do it.
In a bold (and refreshingly modern) move, Adamolekun is starring in Red Lobster’s latest ad campaign, taking to Instagram to announce the return of several fan-favorite dishes, a revamped value menu, and Happy Hour deals.
“We’re bringing back some fan favorites,” Adamolekun says in the clip. “Yup, they’re back, and there’s plenty under $20 on the menu.”
Among the classics returning to the menu? Hushpuppies, one of the most missed side items Red Lobster ever shelved. And don’t worry: the famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits aren’t going anywhere.
“We got that right the first time,” he says.
It’s rare to see a major restaurant CEO take a front-facing role in advertising, but Adamolekun is anything but conventional. Since stepping into the top job in August 2024, becoming the youngest CEO in Red Lobster’s 56-year history, he’s been on a mission to revive the brand while connecting directly with customers.
Before assuming the role, the Harvard Business School grad visited multiple Red Lobster locations across the country to listen, observe, and understand the customer experience firsthand.
“They want quality food in a comfortable setting and to connect with the history of the brand,” he told The Wall Street Journal.
Adamolekun is bringing that vision to life by pairing nostalgia with modernization—updating the interiors, tweaking the uniforms, improving service, and adding budget-friendly options that respect customers’ wallets without skimping on flavor.
Before making waves at Red Lobster, Adamolekun made history as the first Black CEO of P.F. Chang’s. Under his leadership, the Asian-fusion chain saw explosive growth, racking up over $1 billion in annual revenue while rebranding for a new generation of diners.
For Adamolekun, this isn’t just business, it’s personal. He still remembers his first Red Lobster experience at just nine years old, dining at the Springfield, Illinois, location with his family. Now, decades later, he’s not just revisiting that childhood memory—he’s leading the charge to make sure the next generation has the same experience.
In an interview on The Breakfast Club, Adamolekun said, “I’ve been a Red Lobster fan since my first dining experience as a 9-year-old.”
Armed with degrees from Brown and Harvard, plus a résumé that includes Goldman Sachs, Adamolekun is proof that tradition and innovation can share a plate, and he’s making sure Red Lobster keeps a seat at the table in today’s fast-changing restaurant landscape.
Welcome back, indeed.
Photo Credit: Red Lobster
