RED LOBSTER SEAFOOD acquired by GOLDEN GATE CAPITAL
Context
Golden Gate Capital completed its acquisition of Red Lobster Seafood Co. from Darden Restaurants. The transaction followed a robust competitive process and closed on July 28, 2014, with Red Lobster transitioning to private ownership under Golden Gate. Darden pursued the divestiture to sharpen focus on higher-return opportunities like the Olive Garden renaissance, eliminate Red Lobster's volatility, and validate real estate valuations. For Golden Gate, the deal represented a platform investment in a brand with unparalleled awareness and leadership in casual seafood dining. The buyer committed to supporting CEO Kim Lopdrup's vision of delivering great seafood, people, and results through expansion and customer delight.
RED LOBSTER SEAFOOD, which reported an EBITDA margin of in 2014, is valued in this transaction at an EV/EBITDA multiple of , representing a to the average currently observed in the Retail & Consumer sector (11.0x).
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Target
Red Lobster Seafood Co. operates as a casual dining seafood restaurant chain headquartered in Orlando, Florida, United States. The company specializes in freshly prepared seafood dishes including shrimp, lobster, crab, fish, and shellfish served in a family-friendly environment. Founded in 1968, Red Lobster has established itself as an iconic brand with broad consumer recognition and a loyal customer base seeking value-oriented seafood experiences. Red Lobster occupies a unique niche within casual dining, focusing exclusively on seafood to differentiate from generalist competitors. Its positioning emphasizes approachable premium offerings, positioning it as a leader in the seafood sub-segment. The business model encompasses both company-operated and franchised locations, generating revenue primarily from restaurant sales with supplementary franchise royalties.
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REFERENCES
Valuation range: EV 1b - 4b USD
Revenue range: 1b - 3b USD
EBITDA range: 150M - 250M USD
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Authors: This transaction was contributed by a verified mynth contributor and cross-checked against available transaction documents and official company communications.
Target: red lobster seafood
Acquirer: golden gate capital