Red Lobster is stretching its well-loved Cheddar Bay Biscuits into longer Cheddar Bay Breadsticks on Monday.
But fans of the iconic biscuits need not fear—the new shape will be served for one day only and at just one restaurant in New York City’s Times Square location between the hours of noon and 7 p.m.
“We’ve won over the hearts and stomachs of our guests for more than 30 years with Cheddar Bay Biscuits and it got us thinking—why isn’t there more Cheddar Bay in the world,” Sara Bittorf, chief experience officer at Red Lobster, said in a statement. “So, we’re introducing a whole new level of ‘dough-liciousness’ to the table and have no doubt our new Cheddar Bay Breadsticks will rise to the occasion.”
Orlando, Florida-based Red Lobster is calling the change a “biscuit surprise” rather than an April Fool’s joke, but the idea sounds like it may have staying power. Breadstick-shaped biscuits are better for dunking in scampi, melted butter and Alfredo sauce—all widely used ingredients on the menu.
Cheddar Bay Biscuits are an immensely popular Red Lobster signature; the chain serves up more than 350 million each year, according to its website. And for guests dining in, the warm, cheesy biscuits have long been free and unlimited—a much lower food cost than 2023’s all-you-can-eat shrimp deal that boosted traffic but lost the chain millions.
For carryout orders, every entrée comes with two warm biscuits at no charge, but customers can order more for a small price. They are also sold at retail for home cooks, both as a biscuit mix and in frozen ready-to-bake form. Plus, there are Cheddar Bay Biscuit-coated frozen shrimp and cod.
So maybe it’s time to add Cheddar Bay Breadsticks to the permanent lineup the other 364 days of the year.
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Cheddar Bay Biscuits are one of the most iconic menu items at Red Lobster restaurants. The warm, fluffy, cheesy garlic biscuits are served fresh and hot alongside seafood dishes. For dine-in customers Red Lobster proudly advertises these biscuits as “free and unlimited”. But is this really the case or does Red Lobster limit the number of biscuits you can get? I investigated the policies around the famous Cheddar Bay Biscuits to find out the truth.
A History of Unlimited Biscuits
Since first being introduced in 1992, Cheddar Bay Biscuits have always been promoted by Red Lobster as free and unlimited for dine-in guests. Servers continuously bring out piping hot batches of biscuits to your table until you’ve had your fill.
This unlimited offer has been a core part of Red Lobster’s brand identity and is closely tied to the guest experience. Over the years, the chain has baked and served over 1 billion Cheddar Bay Biscuits. They go through nearly 1 million biscuits per day across all their restaurants!
So the free, endless biscuits are clearly an important part of Red Lobster’s business model and a key factor in customer satisfaction. But are there any caveats or restrictions to the unlimited offer?
The Rules Around Takeout and Delivery Biscuits
While Cheddar Bay Biscuits remain unlimited for dine-in meals, Red Lobster does place limits on the number of biscuits given with takeout and delivery orders.
This makes logistical sense, as a delivery driver cannot feasibly supply unlimited hot fresh biscuits to your door. So instead, takeout and delivery orders include:
- 2 biscuits per entrée ordered
- Option to add more biscuits for an additional cost
For takeout orders, each additional half dozen biscuits costs $2.79 and per dozen costs $5.29. Pricing on extra biscuits may vary slightly for delivery orders depending on location.
So while the biscuits are unlimited when dining in, there are set limits with paid add-ons for takeout and delivery.
The Delivery Menu Confusion
In early 2020, there was some confusion around whether the unlimited dine-in biscuits were going away. This misunderstanding came from Red Lobster optimizing its online ordering menu pages for takeout and delivery.
Listings mentioned “2 biscuits per entrée” without specifying it was for off-premise orders only. Some guests viewing these pages assumed it meant limits were coming for all Cheddar Bay Biscuit orders.
Red Lobster quickly clarified that the unlimited dine-in biscuits were not changing. They updated the online menu language to clearly state the 2 biscuit policy was “for takeout and delivery only”.
So the confusion shows the importance of clear communication. Red Lobster’s unlimited dine-in Cheddar Bay Biscuits remain a staple of the brand.
Why Free Unlimited Biscuits?
Offering unlimited complimentary warm biscuits is an incredibly generous policy for a restaurant chain. So why does Red Lobster choose to do this? There’s a few strategic reasons behind the free Cheddar Bay Biscuit bonanza:
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Gets customers in seats – The free biscuits entice hungry diners to come in.
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Drives appetizer sales – Filling up less on biscuits means customers order more paid apps.
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Encourages longer meals – Unlimited biscuits lead to longer dining times and higher per person checks.
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Builds loyalty – Customers come back more often for the free biscuit treat.
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Competitive advantage – Hard for competitors to rival never-ending free biscuits.
So unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits is a smart customer satisfaction strategy that also benefits Red Lobster’s bottom line.
Nutrition Information
While delicious, Cheddar Bay Biscuits aren’t the most diet-friendly. Here’s the nutrition info for one biscuit:
- Calories: 230
- Fat: 11g
- Carbs: 28g
- Sodium: 490mg
With that in mind, it’s easy to consume extra calories and carbs when the biscuits keep coming. Value-focused diners love the free deal, but calorie-counters may want to exercise some restraint.
Baking Process
All Red Lobster locations make Cheddar Bay Biscuits fresh from scratch daily. Each restaurant has dedicated biscuit bakers who hand form and bake them in small batches throughout the day.
The biscuits are baked at high heat for a short time to achieve a golden flaky exterior and soft, moist interior. They’re served warm right from the oven to your table.
The Verdict
So what’s the final verdict on Cheddar Bay Biscuits at Red Lobster? The unlimited, complimentary biscuits continue for all dine-in guests at Red Lobster restaurants. They serve nearly a million biscuits every day, so Red Lobster remains committed to this generous policy.
While takeout and delivery orders are limited to 2 biscuits per entrée, you can add more for a small fee. So visit any Red Lobster location and feel free to request more biscuits with your meal! Just be mindful of the calorie count when indulging in this unlimited appetizer.
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FAQ
Do you have to pay for Cheddar Bay Biscuits?
Specifically, extra Cheddar Bay Biscuits can be ordered by the dozen for $5.29 or half-dozen for $2.79, with prices potentially varying by location. But again, these charges are only for takeout orders. The biscuits are still on the house when you’re dining in.
Does Red Lobster give you free biscuits?
All entrées come with two warm, house-made Cheddar Bay Biscuits.
Did Red Lobster get rid of Cheddar Bay Biscuits?
You can still eat Cheddar Bay Biscuits despite Red Lobster closures. Try these DIY recipes. The first thing to disappear off the table at Red Lobster isn’t usually seafood — it’s the Cheddar Bay Biscuits.
Are Red Lobster biscuits nut free?
Allergens. Contains: wheat, milk, soy. May contain eggs and tree nuts.