Published: Monday, April 14, 2014 at 2:40 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, April 14, 2014 at 2:40 p.m. <\/p>\n
Jerry Prescott, 48, has been going to the seafood chain since he first moved to Lakeland at age 16, dining at the restaurant chains very first location along U.S. 92 in Lakeland. <\/p>\n
I love Red Lobster, Ultimate Feast every time fish, lobster tail, crab legs, broccoli, shrimp, the whole nine yards, he said. <\/p>\n
But ask Prescotts daughter Christine Chandler, 25, to pick a spot, and Red Lobster isnt her first choice. <\/p>\n
I dont like seafood or the smell of seafood, but I go to spend time with my family, she said. <\/p>\n
This disconnect between younger and older diners is one example of the problems Red Lobster faces as it heads into the future. <\/p>\n
In December, Darden Restaurants, the Orlando-based parent company of Red Lobster, announced it would separate from the seafood chain by midsummer. This spinoff is the result of many factors: <\/p>\n
Revenue declines over several years. <\/p>\n
Stagnant growth <\/p>\n
Growing number of dining alternatives that appeal to younger diners. <\/p>\n
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More here: <\/p>\n
Dining Pioneer Red Lobster Looking at Future Challenges<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Published: Monday, April 14, 2014 at 2:40 p.m. Last Modified: Monday, April 14, 2014 at 2:40 p.m. Jerry Prescott, 48, has been going to the seafood chain since he first moved to Lakeland at age 16, dining at the restaurant chains very first location along U.S. Continue reading