Red Lobster® has appointed Larry Konecny as its new Chief Operating Officer (COO). A move the company believes will drive the operational expertise and strategic focus needed to fuel its ambitious comeback efforts. With a portfolio of 545 restaurants across the U.S. and Canada, Konecny’s leadership will be pivotal as he assumes responsibility for the chain’s overarching operational strategy. He will report directly to CEO Damola Adamolekun, working to enhance food quality, customer service, and operational efficiency across all locations.
“Larry brings an exceptional combination of operational expertise, a passion for developing high-performing teams, and a genuine understanding of what it takes to build strong restaurant brands,” Adamolekun shared. “As Red Lobster advances on its comeback journey, having a world-class operations leader is essential. Larry’s impressive track record and authentic leadership style make him the perfect fit for this role.”
Konecny’s appointment reflects Red Lobster’s commitment to elevating customer experience while building a culture of excellence and teamwork. In his new role, Konecny is expected to lead initiatives that bolster brand loyalty through consistent and high-quality guest experiences, a priority as Red Lobster navigates an increasingly competitive restaurant landscape.
Proven Leadership in the Restaurant Industry
Larry Konecny’s extensive background includes his recent role as COO and Chief Concept Officer at Maggiano’s Little Italy. There, he successfully led the brand through reported record-breaking sales and profit growth. During his time at Maggiano’s, which spanned over 16+ years, Konecny drove a major menu transformation and revitalized lunch traffic, contributing to double-digit growth in key categories. His reputation for creating an engaging guest experience and fostering a positive team culture has consistently yielded impressive results, according to the Red Lobster team. This is a track record Red Lobster aims to replicate.
“I am honored to join Red Lobster at such an important moment in its history,” Konecny said. “Red Lobster is a cherished brand, known for its exceptional food and dedicated people. With a solid foundation already in place, we are poised for an exciting comeback. I look forward to working with this talented team to drive our shared success and shape the future of this iconic brand.”
The addition of Larry Konecny is one of the first major public moves since we last discussed Red Lobster emerging from Chapter 11 with New Ownership and Fresh Leadership back in September 2024. This step sets up the next and then the next again in a journey to revitalize an iconic brand.
A Commitment to Community and Education
Beyond his industry accolades, Konecny is known for his dedication to community service. He is a member of the Dean’s Advisory Board at the University of Houston Hilton School of Hospitality. In addition he serves on the Foundation for Lovejoy Schools. Konecny holds an MBA from North Central College and a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from the University of Houston. Both educational foundations help Konecny in bringing both business acumen and operational depth to his role at Red Lobster.
With his combined experience, passion for team building, and proven ability to lead operational transformation, Konecny’s arrival marks a major step forward for Red Lobster as it charts its path toward revitalized growth and customer engagement.
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