Here we go again. After news that Shake Shack and Popeyes would be coming over to the Philippines, another United States casual dining chain has announced that it will open its first branch in the country this November.

Red Lobster, a restaurant known for its affordable seafood menu was franchised by The Bistro Group, the same company behind local franchises of Denny’s, TGI Friday’s, and Buffalo Wild Wings.

Red Lobster’s menu items include lobster tail, crab legs, shrimp scampi, and of course, their “Cheddar Bay Biscuits” — the one offering from the restaurant chain that consistently gets lots of love on the Internet.

Apart from the Philippines, its other international locations include ones in Canada, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Mexico, and Japan.

While some are excited about it, reception to Red Lobster’s announcement has been pretty lukewarm online so far, especially when compared to the generally excited reactions on social media over Popeyes and Shake Shack’s openings, which were both announced in the last two months.

International food chains have a huge market in Manila, but not all that have come to the city have been successful.

Modern Chinese restaurant PF Changs opened several branches in Manila in 2012 but eventually closed them all, probably because of tough competition with the many established Chinese restaurants in the city which offer similar (if not better) dishes at more affordable price points.

Most international chains that come to the Philippines are also marketed as more “premium” than their counterparts in the States, and are often too expensive for the masses.

For example, ABS-CBN News reported that Red Lobster is set to open in S Maison, an upscale mall found inside the Conrad Manila hotel.

Its full menu and price list have yet to be revealed, so it remains to be seen if Red Lobster will join the likes of Chilis and The Bistro Group’s own TGI Fridays — both of which have become mainstays in the city — or if it will quickly bite the dust like PF Changs.

Are you excited about Red Lobster opening in Manila? Let us know in the comments below or tweet us @CoconutsManila.

Grove: Coconuts Brand Studio

Fast. Funny. Digital. We produce creativity that delights and influences customers. Join forces with us to slay buzzwords, rise above the noise, and sow the seeds of something great.