Kim Axel Lopdrup

Board chair, Botrista & Former CEO, Red lobster

Winter Park, Florida | PathNorth member since 2023

Kim retired from Red Lobster in August 2021 after leading the brand for a total of 14 years as President or CEO. He led three successful turnarounds under three different owners. Red Lobster is the world’s largest seafood restaurant company and has regularly appeared on Forbes magazine’s annual lists of America’s Best Large Employers and America’s Best Employers for Diversity.

Kim has a track record of turnarounds and growth in most segments of the food & beverage industry — from CPG to fast food to fine dining to restaurant technology. He has led up to 64,000 employees and has experience doing business in 57 countries. He’s 5-for-5 in turnarounds.

He currently serves on the boards of Wawa, Inc. (since 2006), Bob Evans Restaurants (since 2017), and Botrista Technology (since 2021). He was elected Chairman of Botrista’s Board in December 2022.

Orlando Business Journal named Kim a “CEO of the Year” in 2016 and Florida Trendhas twice included him on their annual list of the 500 most influential people in Florida.

He earned a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from the College of William and Mary in 1980 and an MBA with distinction from Harvard Business School in 1984. He is married and has four children.