The move, which is expected to be complete by early 2015, will locate more than 300 jobs in downtown Orlando. Red Lobster plans to hire an additional 70 employees during the next two years.
Red Lobster will be one of downtown Orlando’s biggest employers, along with CNL Financial Group, the Orlando Utilities Commission, the Orlando Magic, Wells Fargo and the city of Orlando.
This is the most significant lease transaction to occur in Orlando’s central business district since the Great Recession according to the company.
Kim Lopdrup, CEO of Red Lobster, says the move “allows Red Lobster to be at the heart of a growing business area and provides employees with access to the best parts of the city.”
Red Lobster will occupy three full floors of CNL Tower I, as well as have a custom-built, state-of-the-art culinary development center on the ground floor.
“Having an Orlando-based company’s headquarters moving to downtown is a tremendous validation of all the work that has gone into making the heart of Orlando more attractive for businesses and residents.We are delighted that our buildings have played a part of that revitalization,” said Paul Ellis, group president of CNL Commercial Real Estate. “I anticipate that we will see additional companies looking atdowntown Orlando in the coming months given the growing amenity base and the increasedtransportation options like SunRail. We are excited to welcome Red Lobster and its employees both to CNL Center I and to downtown Orlando.”