Red Lobster Concludes CEO Search

The 30-year restaurant industry veteran held roles at Darden Restaurants and Hard Rock Café Int’l. prior to joining the seafood chain.

September 21, 2023

Horace Dawson is now at the helm of the seafood brand he joined in 2014. Courtesy of Red Lobster.

Horace Dawson, executive vice president and general counsel of Red Lobster since 2014, has been promoted to serve as the next CEO of the chain.

He also will join the company’s board. A 30-year restaurant industry veteran, Dawson has held roles including vice president and division general counsel for Darden Restaurants and vice president of business affairs and general counsel of Hard Rock Cafe Int’l.

Further, Dawson serves on the boards of directors of the National Restaurant Association, the National Restaurant Association Educational Foundation, Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association, Restaurant Law Center, and Stronger America Through Seafood.

“This is an important time for our brand,” says Dawson. “We are continuing to evolve our menu and guest experience to give our guests more of what they want every time they visit one of our restaurants.”