in Matthews, N.C. on Monday, June 25 at 11 a.m. The 5,900 square-foot
restaurant will create 180 new jobs and accommodate seating for 212
guests.
Restaurant Design
The design of the Matthews Red Lobster is inspired by the New England
coast and gives guests the feeling of dining by the seaside. Exterior
features include a stone tower that is similar to the architecture
used throughout New England; ship lanterns to welcome guests;
Adirondack-style chairs to encourage mingling outside; unique window
graphics that hint at some of the great tasting seafood guests can
enjoy inside; and a plaque featuring the name of the restaurant's
general manager.
The interior features expanded seating for large parties and nautical
décor such as signal flags and seaside-inspired artwork to create a
warm, inviting, seaside-inspired atmosphere.
The new restaurant also features a number of sustainable design
elements, including recycled building materials, enlarged windows to
increase natural light, LED lighting, low-water landscaping and energy-
efficient equipment. These enhancements are part of the Sustainable
Restaurant Design initiative launched by Darden Restaurants, Red
Lobster's parent company.
Menu
Red Lobster's menu provides guests with affordable, high-quality and
great-tasting seafood. For example, the Today's Fresh Fish Menu
provides guests with five to eight selections of fresh fish daily. The
restaurant also features Red Lobster's signature wood-fire grill that
is operated by a specially trained Grill Master. Wood-fire grilling
locks in the flavor and sears in the juices of seafood, steak and
chicken. The "Quick Catches Lunch Menu" offers great value, with items
starting at $6.99.And, of course, all entrees come with a choice of
salad, unlimited signature Cheddar Bay Biscuits and a choice of a side
item.
The menu at the Matthews Red Lobster will also feature limited time
offers like the Four Course Seafood Feast for $14.99, which includes
one of the restaurant's signature soups, a fresh salad served with
unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits, the guest's choice of one of seven
entrées – like the new Jumbo Coconut and Pineapple-Grilled Shrimp –
and a dessert. The Four Course Seafood Feast is available through
August 10.
Red Lobster servers are trained and certified as Seafood Experts and
can share information with guests about all the types of seafood
offered on the restaurant's menu.
Leadership
Red Lobster has appointed Charlotte resident Keisha Black as general
manager of the Matthews restaurant. Black has been with Red Lobster
for 16 years, most recently as general manager of the Red Lobster in
Spartanburg, S.C.
"We bring guests friendly, attentive and personalized service to
ensure their time together at Red Lobster is memorable," said Black.
"The great thing about Red Lobster is that there's a meal for any
taste. We look forward to providing our guests with a high quality,
great tasting meal in an atmosphere that's inspired by the New England
coast."
In addition to creating new jobs, the new Red Lobster also intends to
have a positive impact on the community, before it even opens. Black
said the restaurant will host a pre-opening "family and friends" event
for crew and their family members and friends and some of the proceeds
will be donated to the Matthews Habitat for Humanity chapter. As with
all locations, the Matthews Red Lobster will raise the American flag
before it opens the doors to serve guests for the first time.
Red Lobster is now accepting applications for employment at the
Matthews restaurant. To be considered for an interview, please apply
online atwww.RedLobster.com/Careers.
About Red Lobster
Red Lobster is the leader among seafood and casual dining restaurants,
with more than 700 Red Lobster locations in North America. Red Lobster
is a member of the Darden family of restaurants (NYSE:DRI), the
world's largest full-service restaurant operating company. In 2012,
Darden was named to the FORTUNE "100 Best Companies to Work For" list
for the second year in a row and is the only full-service restaurant
company to ever appear on the list. Red Lobster is committed to
making a difference in the lives of others in the local community. As
part of this commitment, the Matthews Red Lobster will participate in
the Darden Harvestprogram, which has donated more than 50 million
pounds of food to local community food banks across the country. For
more information, visit www.redlobster.com.
