A new Red Lobster restaurant with ground-to-rooftop New England styling is being completed for a scheduled fall opening at 11550 Kendall Drive.
The new restaurant will employ some 135-145 with initial hiring slated to begin by the second or third week of August, noted Erica Jaeger, spokesperson for the company, a division of The Darden Group, the Orlando-based ownership.
“Potential employees can expect to see a banner with hiring information at the entrance of restaurant at the beginning of August,” she added. “We expect the Kendall Red Lobster to open the second week of September.”
The restaurant’s dark red and gray color tones with white trim is styled as a representation of the seaside village of Bar Harbor, ME, the inspiration behind Red Lobster’s new restaurant design, Jaeger explained. “The updated atmosphere offers guests a warm, welcoming destination to experience fresh, delicious, high-quality menu.”
All new Red Lobster restaurants are being constructed with the Bar Harbor design with nearly 700 existing restaurants to be remodeled in that image by 2014.
Shingles and stone towers with ship lantern exterior lighting are complemented by outdoor Adironack-styled benches and colorful ship signal flags to enhance a nautical appearance.
Interior booths feature dark-wood paneling and soft lighting, warm-toned fabrics reminiscent of New England-style interiors, and other nautical décor including photographs of Maine lighthouses and seaside-inspired artwork.
LEED restaurant features include an increased use of natural light and energy-efficient fixtures, such as low-wattage bulbs and low-flow water nozzles to reduce energy, water and waste by up to 15 percent.
The restaurant is debuting a menu of new specialty dishes as well as Maine lobster and native seafoods on a daily “Fresh Fish” menu, prepared on wood-fired grills.
Red Lobster currently has some 700 locations across the U.S. with the first restaurant opened in Lakeland in 1968. The Darden Group also includes Olive Garden and Bahama Breeze restaurants.
