TAMPA, Fla. (WFLA) — Several Red Lobster locations in Florida, including some in the Tampa area, are listed as temporarily closed on the company’s website.

In Tampa, the locations at 2625 East Busch Blvd. and 17021 Palm Pointe Drive are closed, as is the 10500 E Ulmerton Road location in Largo. Other locations across Florida, including three in Orlando, are also marked as closed.

Red Lobster, a Florida-based restaurant chain that opened its first location in Lakeland in 1968, has been facing significant financial challenges and is considering filing for bankruptcy, according to Bloomberg.

NBC News reported that the chain’s former parent company, Thai Union Group, experienced severe financial losses in Q3 of 2023, partly due to the chain’s $20 “Ultimate Endless Shrimp” promotion. Thai Union Group subsequently wrote off its investment in Red Lobster, leading to a record quarterly loss of $479 million by the end of 2023.

The temporary closures reflect the broader financial instability facing Red Lobster as it navigates these economic difficulties. The chain is currently evaluating its options to address its financial situation, which may include restructuring or seeking new investment opportunities.

Customers in the affected areas are advised to check the Red Lobster website for updates on the status of their local restaurants. The company has not yet provided a timeline for when the closed locations might reopen.

Red Lobster’s financial troubles have sparked concerns among its loyal customer base and employees, who hope the chain can recover and continue to operate successfully. The restaurant industry, already hit hard by the pandemic, faces ongoing challenges, and Red Lobster's situation underscores the difficulties many established brands are experiencing in the current economic climate.

In response to the closures, some local businesses and community members are organizing support efforts for affected employees, including job fairs and temporary financial assistance. Additionally, industry analysts are closely watching how Red Lobster’s strategy unfolds, as its success or failure could have ripple effects across the casual dining sector. As the chain works through its financial restructuring, the priority remains maintaining quality service and food for its dedicated patrons while securing a sustainable future.