[dlee1238]

Good to hear all this about Red Lobster because we are going tomorrow for my girlfriend's birthday. So if you hear a lot of "FUN" going on don't look my way. LOL

I was looking for maybe a coupon, but have had no luck in finding any. :-(

Debra

[carole131]

We enjoyed our evening at Red Lobster last Wednesday. Good food, good service, but we came away at $78.00, including tip. We know that we can do better there & plan to return sans the expensive entrees, exotic drinks, but we will share a dessert again. Life is short! Welcome, Red Lobster.

[Russ_Boston]

I think the almost over friendly staff with greeting and leaving is a Darden restaurant thing. I get the same treatment at Olive Garden and Longhorn. But I'd much rather have it that way than the opposite! Darden does a great job in training their staffs. One of the many reasons why they are one of the most successful multi-chain restaurant operator.

[GMONEY]

See how many cars migrate from the Red Lobster to the new Olive Garden when it opens????

[Muncle]

Originally Posted by GMONEY

See how many cars migrate from the Red Lobster to the new Olive Garden when it opens????

I don't see it as a problem. Different menus, different decor. Similar price range and, hopefully, service. It appears they will be a step up down from Bonefish, close to but a bit cheaper than Creek and Gators, and a step up from 2Jays, Chilis, & Fridays. If one makes it, both probably will.

[Bogie Shooter]

Originally Posted by GMONEY

See how many cars migrate from the Red Lobster to the new Olive Garden when it opens????

Isn't it the same parent company?

[golfnut]

Yes Bogie same parent. Does anyone else know how the prices compare to Bonefish, a previous post said they were similar but I find that hard to believe....GN

[Dirigo]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Isn't it the same parent company?

Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, and Smokey Bones are all owned by the same parent company...I can't remember who the parent is...General Mills I heard once.

In Augusta, Maine the Red Lobster went out and they turned it into an Olive Garden...the place is packed all the time. My daughter, who was once a trainer for Applebees, told me many chains purposely make the parking lots small to give the impression that the establishement is always busy.

Start ups also over-hire staff at the beginning in order to provide outstanding service and only keep the reliable performers after business levels out.

An interesting note: I undertand that the only two States that do not have a Red Lobster are Maine and Alaska...two big seafood producing states.

Dirigo

[golfnut]

Small parking lots work except when they are full and 25% of the tables are empty...GN

[spk7951]

Originally Posted by Dirigo

Red Lobster, Olive Garden, Bahama Breeze, and Smokey Bones are all owned by the same parent company...I can't remember who the parent is...General Mills I heard once.

In Augusta, Maine the Red Lobster went out and they turned it into an Olive Garden...the place is packed all the time. My daughter, who was once a trainer for Applebees, told me many chains purposely make the parking lots small to give the impression that the establishement is always busy.

Start ups also over-hire staff at the beginning in order to provide outstanding service and only keep the reliable performers after business levels out.

An interesting note: I undertand that the only two States that do not have a Red Lobster are Maine and Alaska...two big seafood producing states.

Dirigo

Darden no longer owns Smokey Bones. They sold it over one year ago.

[GMONEY]

Originally Posted by Bogie Shooter

Isn't it the same parent company?

They sure are, but wasnt refering to that. was speaking of the crowd. When the Olive Garden opens, that 45 min wait at RL will drop alot. GIve it about a month or 2 and the new-ness will wear off and all will be a even flow...

[Russ_Boston]

As mentioned the parent company is Darden restaurant group headquartered in Orlando.

They run:

Olive Garden
Red Lobster
Longhorn Steakhouse
The Capital Grille (yummy!)
Bahama Breeze
Seasons 52 (5 locations in FLA)

http://www.darden.com/

[GMONEY]

???????????????????????

[Villages Kahuna]

After it being open for a couple of weeks, the Missus and me decided to try it out at about 4:45 PM on Friday night. The parking lot was completely full, cars were parked blocking all but one lane of the entry lanes and there were about fifty cars parked on the sides of the road outside the RL parking lot. There was a huge number of people milling around outside the restaurant.

What was going on? Was this just the "seasonal" crowd of people for a new restaurant? Wow! Looks like we'll wait until after the "season" to try it out.

We bopped on down to Bonefish Grill and even though it was also very crowded and issuing the electronic beepers with an announced 30-45 minute wait, we were in, waited for our table, enjoyed a great dinner, and getting in our car to head home by 6:15 PM. The wait wasn't as long as announced and as usual the service was superb.

[Cassie325]

We also drove by as we were heading to the charter school....there was the same crowd at 6pm.....at 8:15....AND at 9pm when we were finally leaving. We could not believe it!