Red Lobster is trying something new with shrimp, but it is not what many longtime fans were hoping for. The restaurant chain, which has been through a tough year financially, has announced a new promotion called “SpendLESS Shrimp.” While it is meant to give customers a good value, it is not the all-you-can-eat shrimp deal that made Red Lobster famous—and caused a lot of problems for the company.
What is the SpendLESS Shrimp deal?
The new SpendLESS Shrimp promotion is available for a limited time and is priced at $15.99. Instead of endless refills, you get three shrimp favorites on one plate:
- Garlic Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp Linguini Alfredo
- Popcorn Shrimp
Red Lobster’s CEO Damola Adamolekun explained in a statement, “It may not be endless, but you will definitely spend less.” The company is trying to give customers a good deal without going back to the risky Endless Shrimp promotion.
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Why Endless Shrimp is not coming back
Many people loved the idea of bottomless shrimp for $20, but behind the scenes it was not good for business. The deal ended up costing Red Lobster $11 million in losses. That was one of several reasons the chain filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy earlier this year.
Some of the problems tied to Endless Shrimp included:
- A permanent $20 menu item that hurt profits.
- High supply costs, especially with its seafood supplier Thai Union.
- A decline in guest visits, down about 30% since 2019.
Former CEO Jonathan Tibus even called the Endless Shrimp decision a major mistake in company filings, saying it created “burdensome supply obligations.”
So if you have been waiting for the deal to come back, the truth is it probably will not. Red Lobster is making it clear they are moving in a different direction.
What else is new at Red Lobster?
Even though Endless Shrimp is off the menu, Red Lobster is trying to keep things exciting. Along with the SpendLESS Shrimp promotion, the chain announced a few other changes:
- Seafood boils added permanently:
- Mariner’s Boil with lobster tail, shrimp, snow crab legs, corn and potatoes.
- Sailor’s Boil with shrimp, sausage, corn and potatoes.
- Mariner’s Boil with lobster tail, shrimp, snow crab legs, corn and potatoes.
- Fall-inspired cocktails for a limited time:
- Caramel Dream with Absolut Vodka and butterscotch.
- Apple Harvest Punch with Captain Morgan Spiced Rum.
- Gold Rush with Maker’s Mark Bourbon and a touch of sparkle.
- Caramel Dream with Absolut Vodka and butterscotch.
These additions show the company is trying to attract guests with variety while still keeping prices in check.
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Should you try the new Shrimp deal?
If you loved the Endless Shrimp deal, the new SpendLESS Shrimp might feel like a letdown. It is not unlimited, and it is more structured. But if you want a plate that gives you a taste of different shrimp favorites for under $16, it might be worth checking out.
The bottom line is this: Red Lobster is trying to recover from a difficult year, and part of that means offering deals that will not sink the company again. You may not get endless shrimp anymore, but you do get options that are designed to keep the chain afloat while still giving you value.
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