Damola Adamolekun: The 36-Year-Old Leading Red Lobster’s Comeback

Damola Adamolekun, CEO of Red Lobster, is emerging as a transformative figure in the global hospitality landscape. Celebrated by Fortune Magazine as one of the “World’s Greatest Leaders,” he is credited with revitalising the beloved seafood chain by aligning cultural authenticity, customer experience, and financial strategy.

Since assuming leadership, Adamolekun has taken a bold and hands-on approach to modernising Red Lobster. From revamping menus with nostalgic favorites like the iconic Cheddar Bay Biscuits to sharpening brand loyalty and streamlining operations, his focus is squarely on elevating the customer experience and steering the company toward sustained profitability.

His leadership style reflects a distinctive blend of business discipline and cultural awareness—qualities shaped by his Nigerian-American heritage and formative years spent in Zimbabwe and the Netherlands. This multicultural lens has allowed him to connect meaningfully with diverse consumer bases and navigate global market complexities with ease.

Adamolekun’s ascent in the restaurant industry began with a groundbreaking tenure at P.F. Chang’s, where he became the company’s first Black CEO. Tasked with leading the brand through the turmoil of the COVID-19 pandemic, he restored profitability and launched the “P.F. Chang’s To Go” model, expanding the chain’s delivery and takeout capabilities and pushing revenue to the $1 billion mark.

Before stepping into the executive spotlight, Adamolekun honed his financial expertise at top-tier firms including Goldman Sachs and TPG Capital. As a partner at Paulson & Co., he played a key role in managing high-value investments, experience that now informs his strategic oversight at Red Lobster.

Beyond corporate boardrooms, Adamolekun remains an influential industry voice. He serves on the boards of P.F. Chang’s, Inday, and the National Restaurant Association.

A Brown University alumnus, he earned degrees in Economics and Political Science while competing on the championship football team and leading the Brown Investment Group. He later earned his MBA from Harvard Business School, where he also managed investments for the HBS Investment Club.

Driven by early ambition, he began investing at age 16. Adamolekun’s career reflects both tenacity and vision. His accolades include multiple GLOBEE Leadership awards, and he was named to Nation’s Restaurant News Power List for his innovation and impact.

A 4 a.m. runner and disciplined leader, Damola Adamolekun continues to redefine what leadership looks like in the hospitality industry, one bold move at a time.