(NEXSTAR) — Red Lobster plans to close nearly two dozen more restaurants across the country by the end of this week, as part of its ongoing bankruptcy protection proceedings.
The seafood chain said in a recent court filing that it is rejecting the leases of an additional 23 locations and intends to vacate the properties by Saturday, Aug. 31.
According to the document, the company determined that keeping these restaurants open would unnecessarily drain its cash due to the cost of rent and other related expenses.
In May, Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection after struggling to keep up with competitors and facing a series of financial challenges, like its popular all-you-can-eat shrimp promotion that backfired.
The latest closures will add to the more than 100 restaurants that Red Lobster shuttered earlier this summer. Once completed, the company will have about 500 remaining U.S. locations — a significant drop from the approximately 700 restaurants it previously listed on its website.
Red Lobster CEO Jonathan Tibus said in a May 19 press release that “restructuring is the best path forward” for the company.
“It allows us to address several financial and operational challenges and emerge stronger and re-focused on our growth,” he said in the release.
Fortress Investment Group is seeking to acquire Red Lobster, pending court approval, and announced on Monday that it will appoint Damola Adamolekun as the chain’s new CEO. Adamolekun is the former CEO of P.F. Chang’s. Meanwhile, Fortress has a track record of buying restaurants out of bankruptcy, such as Logan’s Roadhouse and Krystal.
A court hearing on the sale of Red Lobster is slated for Sept. 5.
See the full list of additional Red Lobster closures
Arizona
1521 S. Yuma Palms Parkway, Yuma, Arizona
Arkansas
8407 W. Markham Street, Little Rock, Arkansas
California
8703 Murray Drive, La Mesa, California
Colorado
4925 N. Academy Blvd, Colorado Springs, Colorado
Florida
326 Miracle Strip Parkway SW., Fort Walton Beach, Florida
5110 N 9th Ave., Pensacola, Florida
8909 Us Highway 19, Port Richey, Florida
Georgia
6550 Tara Blvd., Jonesboro, Georgia
Illinois
902 Commons Drive, Geneva, Illinois
1604 N. State Road Route 50, Bourbonnais, Illinois
4625 N. Sterling Ave, Peoria, Illinois
Indiana
4353 Franklin St., Michigan City, Indiana
Minnesota
8900 Golden Valley Road, Golden Valley, Minnesota
12515 Elm Creek Blvd. N., Maple Grove, Minnesota
Missouri
2381 Maplewood Commons Drive, Maplewood, Missouri
New York
750 Upper Glen St., Queensbury, New York
925 Hunts Point Ave., Bronx, New York
North Carolina
304 A Western Blvd., Jacksonville, North Carolina
Ohio
17227 Southpark Center, Strongsville, Ohio
South Carolina
1270 Knox Abbott Drive, Cayce, South Carolina
Virginia
555 S. Van Dorn St., Alexandria, Virginia
709 Independence Blvd., Virginia Beach, Virginia
4415 S. Laburnum Ave., Richmond, Virginia
