THOMASVILLE, GA
The Red Lobster and Olive Garden in Thomasville are no longer serving patrons.
The two restaurants that are housed within the same building announced that Friday May 2nd was their last day of business and that they were closing.
A representative of Darden Restaurants Inc., which owns the two restaurants, confirmed the closing and said the company is interested in selling Red Lobster, or may choose to separate it through what’s called a “spin-off.”
The managers of the restaurants were said to be working on inventory this weekend. As for employees, the representative said they will have the opportunity to transfer to other restaurants the company owns in Thomasville, including Longhorn Steakhouse. They could also go to work at other locations in Thomasville, Valdosta, and Tallahassee.
The location for both of the restaurants is unique in Thomasville, in that both restaurants occupy the same building, and on top of that, operated out of the same shared kitchen. The company said Thomasville was one of just six locations company-wide to operate in shared spaces.
Meanwhile, Darden remains on track to execute its previously announced plan to separate the Red Lobster business through either a tax-free spin-off to Darden shareholders or a sale of the Red Lobster business.
The move, company officials said is centered in ‘enhancing’ their focus and improving performance.
