CRANBERRY TWP — Plans for a new Red Lobster restaurant in the location of the Kings Restaurant in the Cranberry Mall on Route 19 have been sacked, according to township officials.

“We found out shortly after they received their final approval. The reason we were told by their project manager was that Red Lobster put on hold all of their expansion plans as the Darden Group was responding to a significant drop in sales,” said Cranberry manager Jerry Andree.

The lease was already terminated for Kings Restaurant before Red Lobster proceeded to final approval, and Kings has been closed for a couple weeks.

In December, Darden got approval for a liquor license transfer, and this year it got approval for land development.

Cranberry officials believe the mall owners are seeking new inquires for that site.

Andree said there is still interest by restaurants to come to the township.

For example, there are plans for an expansion of Cranberry Crossroads, called Cranberry Crossroads West, which includes space for a new restaurant.

A liquor license transfer has been submitted to the township for Anthony’s Coal Fire Pizza, which is under review.