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 has become one of their most popular seasonal specials. But with the offer of unlimited shrimp many wonder – how much does Endless Shrimp cost at Red Lobster?
The price of Endless Shrimp varies by location, but generally runs between $1799 and $2299. This gets you unlimited servings of shrimp prepared in different ways like fried, grilled, or scampi. Endless Shrimp is usually available for a limited time in the fall and winter months.
The Origins of Endless Shrimp
Red Lobster first launched Endless Shrimp in 1994 It started as a way to boost sales during slow periods by getting customers to come in and order more food.
The promotion was very successful, so Red Lobster brought it back year after year. By 2009, Endless Shrimp had become so popular that some locations ran out of shrimp entirely!
In 2020, Red Lobster took Endless Shrimp one step further by making it an “Ultimate Endless Shrimp” experience. This offered more shrimp preparations so customers had more variety.
What is Included in Endless Shrimp?
With Endless Shrimp, you can order unlimited servings of shrimp dishes prepared different ways. While options vary by location, typical preparations include:
- Fried Coconut Shrimp
- Fried Popcorn Shrimp
- Grilled Shrimp Skewers
- Shrimp Scampi
- Cajun Grilled Shrimp
- Garlic Shrimp Scampi
- Shrimp Linguini Alfredo
Each order comes with a side like fries, broccoli, or rice pilaf. Endless Shrimp also includes unlimited Cheddar Bay Biscuits and choice of non-alcoholic beverage.
You can keep ordering more shrimp until you’ve had your fill. Just keep in mind that Red Lobster asks you only order one serving at a time.
How Much Does Endless Shrimp Cost?
The Endless Shrimp promotion is intended to provide value, so how much does unlimited shrimp cost at Red Lobster?
In most locations, Endless Shrimp runs between $17.99 and $22.99 per person. However, prices can vary by restaurant based on factors like demand and seafood costs in that region.
Here are some typical Endless Shrimp prices:
- $17.99 in the Midwest
- $19.99 on the West Coast
- $21.99 in the Northeast
- $22.99 in New York City
Red Lobster occasionally offers an Endless Shrimp lunch special for $16.99 or discounts if you dine with multiple people. Kids pricing is generally about $10 less per child.
Ultimate Endless Shrimp with more shrimp preparations costs $3 to $5 more in most restaurants.
How Many Shrimp Can You Eat?
One question around the Endless Shrimp offer is just how many shrimp you can actually consume. Experiences likely vary greatly depending on your appetite!
Some Endless Shrimp reviewers report eating 8-12 shrimp servings over the course of a meal. A few hardcore shrimp lovers have claimed to consume over 20 servings in a single sitting!
Overall, it seems the average person taps out after 3-5 rounds or 10-20 total shrimp. Red Lobster puts no official limit on Endless Shrimp beyond asking you only order one serving at a time.
Just keep in mind that gorging yourself on endless amounts of fried, buttery shrimp likely won’t leave you feeling your best. Moderation is probably wise when indulging in this decadent promotion.
Tips for Making the Most of Endless Shrimp
Here are some tips to maximize value if you plan to indulge in Endless Shrimp:
- Go during lunch hours for discounted pricing at some locations
- Split an order between multiple people
- Start with lighter shrimp dishes like grilled or steamed
- Avoid heavy sides like fries or rice if you plan to eat a lot
- Stay hydrated between servings to aid digestion
- Take home leftover shrimp if you can’t finish
While not a healthy meal choice, Endless Shrimp can be an indulgent way to enjoy unlimited shrimp if you go in with a strategy and listen to your body’s cues. Just beware the inevitable “food coma” that may occur after polishing off platter after platter!
I started by trying the coleslaw. I really liked it.
I was immediately glad I picked coleslaw as my side, rather than a heartier option like mashed potatoes or mac and cheese. The coleslaw was fresh and tangy, and its dressing packed a lot of flavor while not overpowering the vegetables.
The coleslaw brought a light, citrus flavor that balanced my meal perfectly.
The three plates of shrimp I consumed didn’t stop me from ordering one of the chain’s desserts.
The chains Chocolate Wave cake was a multilayered chocolate explosion paired with whipped cream and vanilla ice cream drizzled with chocolate sauce.
The Truth About Red Lobster’s Endless Shrimp
FAQ
How much do endless shrimp at Red Lobster cost?
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.
Does Red Lobster still have $20 endless shrimp?
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.
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 days are endless shrimp at Red Lobster?
Endless Shrimp Promotion is Back at Red Lobster All Day, Every Day.
What is Red Lobster’s ultimate endless shrimp?
The conceit of Ultimate Endless Shrimp is fairly simple: For a flat fee of $25 per person — at the time of publication and up from its original price of $20 — you can eat as much shrimp as your crustacean-loving heart desires.
Is Red Lobster bringing back the ultimate endless shrimp deal?
Back in June, Red Lobster announced that it was bringing back its popular Ultimate Endless Shrimp deal. But while the chain has only offered the deal as a limited-time promotion in past years, Red Lobster said that the deal was here to stay this time around.
Why did Red Lobster raise its shrimp price?
The seafood chain’s parent company just confirmed that it boosted the price after facing more than $11 million in operating losses in the latest quarter. Back in June, Red Lobster announced that it was bringing back its popular Ultimate Endless Shrimp deal.