• by Teresa Buyikian , October 23, 2024

Apparently rapper Flavor Flav’s undying public devotion to one fast-casual chain isn’t the only thing helping bring Red Lobster back from bankruptcy.

Today Red Lobster announced it has hired Nichole Robillard as the new CMO, overseeing marketing, communications and culinary teams. Robillard reports to new CEO Damola Adamolekun, who only just joined the chain two months ago, previously serving as P.F. Chang’s CEO. The chain also added former Yum! Brands Bob Baker as CFO earlier this week.

Robillard joins Red Lobster with over 20 years of both client and agency side restaurant experience, most recently serving as CMO for Smokey Bones, where she led BBQ chain through a corporate rebrand.  Earlier in her career, Robillard worked on the operations side of the restaurant industry, including opening a farm-to-table restaurant in Washington, D.C., and time spent at advertising agencies such as Zimmerman, Deutsch and David and Goliath. She also currently serves on the advisory board for Women in Restaurant Leadership.

"Nichole's ability to blend creative vision with operational expertise makes her the perfect leader for this role," said Adamolekun in a release.

Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy earlier this year, emerging last month under new ownership, led by lender Fortress Investment Group. Fortress has committed $60 million to the chain.

When the bankruptcy was first announced, celebrities, in particular Public Enemy’s Flavor Flav, launched their own personal social media efforts supporting the chain. Flav went as far as ordering every item on the Red Lobster menu and eventually appearing in TV spots for the national chain. Despite many closings, the chain still operates 545 restaurants in the United States and Canada.