Red Lobster's brutal comeback fight hinges on unproven AI bets

Red Lobster is pursuing an AI-forward revival under 37-year-old CEO Damola Adamolekun, who took the helm in August 2024, as the chain emerged from Chapter 11 in September that year. The plan embeds AI across departments—from sales forecasting to staff scheduling and training—and uses Claude AI for coding and presentations. Adamolekun advocates distributed experimentation, letting teams pilot automation rather than awaiting a single rollout. The restaurant sees AI reshaping pricing, kitchen workflows and staffing, aligning with a sector where 26% of operators used AI tools in Feb. 2026. Red Lobster hopes AI-driven efficiency delivers the profit turn it sought after bankruptcy.