Red Lobster no longer offers the all-you-can-eat (endless) shrimp deal due to financial losses and operational challenges. Instead, they have introduced a new limited shrimp promotion called "Ultimate SpendLESS Shrimp," where customers can enjoy three shrimp dishes—Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Shrimp Linguini Alfredo, and Popcorn Shrimp—for $15.99 on a single plate. This change came after the original endless shrimp deal, which was $20 for unlimited shrimp, caused an $11 million loss that contributed to Red Lobster's bankruptcy filing in 2024. The new offer is more sustainable and designed to avoid the problems of customers staying too long and eating excessive amounts of shrimp, which stressed the kitchen and staff. The CEO has stated there are no plans to bring back the endless shrimp promotion.
Background on All-You-Can-Eat Shrimp
- The original "Ultimate Endless Shrimp" deal allowed unlimited orders from a list of shrimp dishes for a flat fee, originally $20 and then increased to $25. It was immensely popular but unsustainable financially.
- The promotion was a permanent menu item starting in 2023 but led to significant financial and operational issues, including long customer stays and increased wait times.
- Red Lobster filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2024, citing the endless shrimp deal among the causes due to its $11 million loss impact.
New Shrimp Offering
- The current "Ultimate SpendLESS Shrimp" promotion is limited to three shrimp options on one plate for $15.99.
- This offer was introduced in September 2025 as a safer and more cost-effective alternative to the all-you-can-eat shrimp deal.
- The promotion aims to provide great shrimp flavors while avoiding the chaos of the previous unlimited model.
In summary, Red Lobster no longer offers true all-you-can-eat shrimp but provides a limited shrimp plate deal to control costs and improve customer experience.
