ORLANDO, Fla. – The 13 Red Lobster chain restaurants in Minnesota have been spared in a bankruptcy-forced sell-off of assets. Not so two of the the chain’s eight Wisconsin locations — in LaCrosse and Wauwatosa. They’ve been shuttered and all the kitchen gear and furnishings are being liquidated. Yes, even the signature tanks in the lobby with live lobsters. Nationally 48 of 650 locations are padlocked. The company got into trouble when new management was installed ed in a corporate take-over by Thai Union of Thailand. Among changes was an all-you-can-eat option that attracted low-budget diners but was disastrous for revenue. Critics have pointed to a wide range of mismanagement.
Still open in Minnesota: Blaine, Bloomington, Burnsville, Golden Valley, Duluth, Mankato, Maple Grove, Maplewood, Minneapolis, Oakdale, Rochester, Rockville, Roseville.