After Months of Issues, Red Lobster Closes in Florida Due to 14 Violations Found in State Inspection

Photo byGoogle review

A Red Lobster location in Ocala was temporarily shut down following a state inspection by the Florida Department of Business and Professional Regulation (DBPR), marking another setback for the chain, which has faced closures across Florida in recent months. The restaurant, located at 3393 SW College Road, was cited for 14 violations during an inspection on August 16, 2024.

Red Lobster’s History in Florida

Red Lobster, a popular seafood chain with deep roots in Florida, opened its first location in Lakeland and has since expanded to over 700 restaurants worldwide. Despite its widespread success, the chain has recently encountered financial difficulties, with several Florida locations shutting down, partly due to the company’s bankruptcy.

The Ocala Red Lobster is a well-known establishment, earning a 4.1 out of 5 stars on Google Reviews from over 3,200 reviewers. Many customers have praised the quality of the food and service.

Inspection Details and Violations

The state inspection on August 16, 2024, revealed a total of 14 violations at the Ocala location, some of which were serious enough to require the restaurant to be temporarily shut down. The violations were categorized as basic, intermediate, and high-priority, indicating varying levels of concern.

Basic violations included:

• Cracked floor tiles
• Improper drying of utensils, referred to as "wet nesting"
• A soiled kitchen floor with food debris
• Dead roaches found on the premises

Intermediate violations were more concerning and included:

• No soap provided at the handwashing sink
• The interior of the ice machine being contaminated with a "mold-like substance"

However, it was the high-priority violations that raised the most alarms and led to the restaurant’s closure. These violations included:

• Live roaches and an egg sack observed inside the restaurant
• Improper handling of single-use gloves, including failing to change gloves as needed
• Gloves stored near hazardous chemicals like oven cleaner and “Raid” bug spray

Due to the nature of these high-priority violations, the Ocala Red Lobster was temporarily shut down.

Reopening After Follow-Up Inspections

After a follow-up inspection on August 17, 2024, the restaurant remained closed as it had not yet resolved all the issues cited in the initial inspection. However, a final inspection on August 19, 2024, found no violations, and the restaurant met all required health and safety standards, allowing it to reopen to the public.

A Setback for the Chain

The temporary closure of the Ocala Red Lobster adds to a series of challenges the chain has faced in Florida. In addition to financial struggles, the company has seen approximately 20 locations shut down across the state in recent months, prompting concern among customers and staff alike.

While the Ocala location is now back in business, the incident serves as a reminder of the importance of maintaining strict food safety and cleanliness standards in the restaurant industry. As Red Lobster continues to navigate its financial and operational challenges, it will need to ensure that issues like these do not persist, especially in a competitive market like Florida.