A few weeks after Red Lobster filed for bankruptcy, I visited the chains Times Square location to try its now-infamous Endless Shrimp promotion for the first time.
This wasnt my first time eating at a Red Lobster. When Ive gone in the past, its been on the weekend. Now, here I was — on an otherwise dull Monday night — prepared to eat my weight in bottomless shrimp at a Times Square chain restaurant.
The promotion was originally launched as a $20 once-a-week deal. Customers were pleased with the deal, so in the summer of 2023, Endless Shrimp became available every day of the week.
However, inflation and the rising cost of seafood meant Red Lobster would raise the price of Endless Shrimp twice, eventually landing at a base price of $25 to cope with demand and improve profits. At the location I visited in New York City, it was priced at $30.
Despite the increased price to offset expenses, the all-you-can-eat strategy backfired. In the two quarters following the initial launch of the daily endless shrimp promotion, Red Lobster reported operating losses of $11 million and $12.5 million.
Discussing the companys low profits in an earnings call in November, Ludovic Garnier, the global chief financial officer of the chains owner, Thai Union Group, told investors the overwhelming response to endless shrimp had led to the losses.
“For those who have been in the US recently, $20 was very cheap,” Garnier said. “We dont earn a lot of money at $20.”
Garnier added the deal “did not deliver what we were expecting” and was “one of the key reasons for the losses we generated in Q3 2023.”
However, Endless shrimp isnt the only factor that led to the fall of Red Lobster. Business Insiders Emily Stewart reported that changing customer tastes, frequent leadership turnover, and the chains decision to switch its real-estate model from owning to leasing restaurants are also to blame for the companys bankruptcy filing.
Still, what was once a daily promotion, Endless Shrimp is now only available on Mondays, which is when I found myself at the revolving doors of Red Lobsters Times Square location on a hot summer night.
Red Lobster’s endless shrimp promotion is a fan favorite that lets customers indulge in unlimited shrimp for one fixed price But how much does this epic feast actually cost in 2025? As a seafood lover, I was curious to find out.
A Brief History of Endless Shrimp at Red Lobster
Red Lobster first launched its endless shrimp promotion in the 1990s as a seasonal offer. Customers loved being able to eat unlimited shrimp for a set price.
Initially, endless shrimp was only available one day a week for around $15. But in 2023, Red Lobster expanded the promotion to be available daily for $20.
The daily endless shrimp deal proved extremely popular. However it also led to losses for the chain. Having endless shrimp available every day made it hard for Red Lobster to limit portions and manage food costs.
The Price of Endless Shrimp in 2025
In 2025, the price of endless shrimp has increased but it remains an incredible value. Here are the current prices:
- Monday: $30 for unlimited shrimp
- Tuesday to Sunday: $25 for unlimited shrimp
The price is higher on Mondays due to high demand for this all-you-can-eat seafood feast. But any day of the week, endless shrimp is still a bargain for shrimp lovers.
What’s Included in Endless Shrimp
With endless shrimp, you don’t just get unlimited plain shrimp. You get unlimited shrimp prepared in different flavors and styles, including:
- Garlic Shrimp Scampi
- Hand-breaded Butterfly Shrimp
- Walt’s Favorite Shrimp
- Parmesan-crusted Shrimp
- Domestic White Shrimp baked with Peppercorn Garlic Butter
You also get a side dish like rice or broccoli with endless shrimp. And of course, you get Red Lobster’s famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits to soak up all that delicious shrimp sauce.
Getting the Most Value from Endless Shrimp
Here are my tips to take advantage of this epic promotion:
- Go on Mondays to get the lowest price of $30 for unlimited shrimp.
- Pace yourself and start with the shrimp dishes you want most. You can always order more.
- Choose lighter sides like salad or coleslaw so you have room for extra shrimp.
- Bring a friend to share endless shrimp and try more flavors.
- Avoid filling up too much on biscuits and appetizers before the shrimp arrives.
- Order shrimp flavors that you can’t easily make at home, like Coconut Shrimp.
- GetShrimp Tacos or Shrimp Linguini on the side to change things up.
- Take home leftovers for a shrimp-filled lunch the next day!
Why Endless Shrimp Led to Losses for Red Lobster
As a customer, endless shrimp seems like an unbelievable deal. But for Red Lobster, offering endless amounts of shrimp every day proved to be financially disastrous.
Here’s why the daily endless shrimp promotion resulted in major losses:
- Customers ate way more shrimp than predicted, sometimes 5-6 platters each.
- Servers had to spend more time and effort on each table.
- Higher shrimp demand raised Red Lobster’s food costs substantially.
- Profits dropped due to discounted shrimp and higher overhead.
- Some diners took advantage of the promotion just for extremely cheap shrimp.
Red Lobster discovered that the endless shrimp model only works as an occasional promotional event, not an everyday money-losing affair.
The Return of Endless Shrimp in 2025
The good news is that endless shrimp is still around in 2025 as a weekly promotion. Red Lobster brought back this shrimp lover’s dream while avoiding overuse that led to losses.
Now endless shrimp is available just one or two days a week at most locations. This makes it a special event again instead of an everyday all-you-can-eat extravaganza.
So get excited shrimp fans – you can still get your fill of unlimited shrimp at Red Lobster in 2025! Just don’t expect endless shrimp every single day. Enjoy it while you can on the designated shrimp-tastic days of the week.
Endless Shrimp Provides Excellent Value for Customers
For seafood lovers, endless shrimp at Red Lobster is a phenomenal bargain. Where else can you eat unlimited garlic, coconut and fried shrimp for just $25-30?
Even with the price increases, endless shrimp offers an incredible variety of shrimp for a reasonable fixed price point. Customers clearly love the promotion, since Red Lobster kept bringing it back due to popular demand.
Next time you crave an epic shrimp feast, check the Red Lobster calendar for upcoming endless shrimp days. Gather your family and friends for a shrimp-feasting experience you’ll never forget!
After finishing the contents of my first platter, it was time to order more.
I definitely would have been satisfied with just the first platter of shrimp. However, for the sake of journalism and trying to get the biggest bang for my buck, I decided to order more.
When our server came back to check in, I was given the choice of two shrimp dishes. I chose to get the shrimp skewer and the coconut shrimp again.
However, by the time I got to the second plate of coconut shrimp, I was shrimped out.
Despite the aroma of the coconut shrimp calling to me, I couldnt finish more than one of them. Overall, I was feeling full … but not borderline sick, like I was the last time I feasted on cheesy, rich dishes at Red Lobster.
Endless Shrimp Is Back At Red Lobster! Let’s Try Every Single Type Of Shrimp!
FAQ
Does Red Lobster still have all you can eat shrimp for $20?
However, he confirmed that the $20 endless shrimp deal has ended permanently. “Relevant, compelling and exciting is what we want Red Lobster to be for the future, and so we’re working on that now,” Adamolekun told TODAY.
How much is all you can eat shrimp at Red Lobster per?
Customers were pleased with the deal, so in the summer of 2023, Endless Shrimp became available every day of the week. However, inflation and the rising cost of seafood meant Red Lobster would raise the price of Endless Shrimp twice, eventually landing at a base price of $25 to cope with demand and improve profits.
How much was the endless shrimp deal at Red Lobster?
For $20, customers could eat as much shrimp as they wanted.
Is Red Lobster endless shrimp worth it?
The value of Red Lobster’s Ultimate Endless Shrimp is difficult to quantify. If you’re dining with a family full of ravenous kids or a college student with a bottomless stomach, it’s probably worth it. If you’re counting calories or trying to have any semblance of a reasonable meal, it’s probably not.
What to eat at Red Lobster?
Served with Red Lobster’s signature piña colada sauce. Shrimp Linguini Alfredo – tender shrimp in a creamy Alfredo sauce on a bed of linguini. Walt’s Favorite Shrimp – hand-breaded, butterflied and lightly fried. Served with cocktail sauce. Garlic Grilled Shrimp Skewer – skewered shrimp with a butter garlic glaze. Served over rice.
Does Red Lobster have a special menu?
You’re in the right place! Red Lobster has many special menu offers for every taste and budget. Enjoy the famous Endless Shrimp, where you get unlimited shrimp cooked in different ways. Don’t miss the Lobsterfest and Crabfest, which happen at certain times of the year. You can also grab weekday lunch specials starting at just $9.99.
Can you eat shrimp at Red Lobster?
The all-you-can-eat shrimp option at Red Lobster includes a variety of shrimp preparations, such as garlic shrimp scampi, shrimp linguini Alfredo, and crispy popcorn shrimp, to name a few. 2. Can I choose one specific type of shrimp for the all-you-can-eat deal? If playback doesn’t begin shortly, try restarting your device.
Did Red Lobster really offer $20 shrimp?
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Did Red Lobster’s ‘ultimate endless shrimp’ scheme eat into company profits?
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Does Red Lobster have all-you-can-eat shrimp?
With its mouthwatering seafood dishes and inviting atmosphere, Red Lobster has become a popular destination for seafood lovers across the United States. Among their many offerings, one particular deal has captured the attention of patrons: the all-you-can-eat shrimp option. But does Red Lobster still have all-you-can-eat shrimp on their menu?