Red Lobster is among several U.S. restaurant chains highlighting shrimp in spring promotions due to the shellfish’s popularity and value proposition.
Shrimp has remained an affordable, stable-priced item for both retail and foodservice buyers since the start of the pandemic, while prices on other seafood have soared. That has led many restaurants to feature the shellfish on its menus to take advantage of that price point.
Shrimp is the top seafood item on menus due to its “classic taste, versatility, and ease of preparation," US Foods Seafood Category Senior Director Jennifer Wandler told SeafoodSource, after the distributor launched Harbor Banks Hard Cider Battered Shrimp last month. The dish offers a “unique twist on a beer-battered shrimp” that uses a semi-sweet hard cider that results in a crispy, golden exterior once prepared," Wandler said.
Downer’s Grove, Illinois, U.S.A.-based Fresh Thyme Market Meat and Seafood Merchandising Lead Jason Resner told SeafoodSource that the value proposition has allowed the species to be "trending" in the retail space as well.
“Farm-raised shrimp is another seafood segment that is trending in the retailers (and customers) favor in being able to reach hotter value promotional price-points based on this year’s rapid cost deflation," Resner said. “Being able to drive a value impression for the crab and shrimp seafood segments, which historically have been more indulgent, has allowed us to sell more product and make more customers happier to be able to take advantage of cooking more seafood at home.”
Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.-based Red Lobster is also taking advantage of the species' current value proposition, and recently rolled out its Shrimp Trios entrées, featuring shrimp prepared three ways. The “flavorful” new Cajun Shrimp Trio includes Walt's Favorite Shrimp with Cajun remoulade sauce, Cajun shrimp scampi and creamy Cajun shrimp linguini Alfredo, the restaurant chain said.
Red Lobster’s Seaside Shrimp Trio has combined Walt's Favorite Shrimp with cocktail sauce, garlic shrimp scampi, and creamy shrimp linguini alfredo. The entrees are served with a choice of two sides and Cheddar Bay Biscuits.
"From shrimp three ways to three new refreshing cocktails to choose from, Shrimp Trios is the perfect excuse to get out of the house, embrace the warmth of spring, and enjoy a delicious meal with family and friends at Red Lobster," Red Lobster Chief Marketing Officer Patty Trevino said.
Shrimp entrees are also the focus of Red Lobster’s frozen retail line that debuted in U.S. grocery chains in February. The restaurant chain partnered with El Segundo, California-based Chicken of the Sea Frozen Foods, owned by Thai Union North America. Thai Union Group owns a majority stake in Red Lobster and is one of the U.S. largest shrimp importers.
The four Red Lobster-branded frozen seafood items, available in retailers nationwide, include: Cheddar Bay Biscuit Shrimp, combining the restaurant chain’s famous biscuits and crispy shrimp; Coconut Shrimp Bites, which is crispy shrimp coated with coconut flakes and paired with Sweet Chili Sauce; Cheddar Bay Biscuit Cod, which features wild cod breaded with Cheddar Bay Biscuit seasoning; and Parmesan Crusted Garlic & Herb Stuffed Shrimp, which includes shrimp stuffed with garlic, herbs and cream cheese coated with a parmesan-crusted breading.
Glendale, California, U.S.A.-based IHOP launched seafood dishes as part of an extensive menu revamp. The restaurant chain now offers crispy battered Fish and Shrimp platters served with French fries, tartar sauce, and a lemon wedge “to curb guests’ seafood cravings,” the company said in a news release.
Houston, Texas, U.S.A.-based Minute Maid Park, where the Houston Astros play, is featuring new Shrimp Campachana Tacos via foodservice provider Aramark. The tacos include yellow corn tortillas, yellowbird agave, marinated shrimp, pico de gallo, and pickled onions.
Tampa, Florida, U.S.A.-based Bonefish Grill is bringing back a family-friendly value deal featuring shrimp and other seafood dishes. For USD 45.90 (EUR 42.00), guests choose two salads; two entrees from a list that includes Baja Scallop and Shrimp Scampi Pasta, a small portion of Atlantic salmon, mahi, rainbow trout, and a 12-ounce pork chop; and a key lime cake.
While shrimp is currently “a better value than it’s ever been,” Eastern Fish Company President Eric Bloom told SeafoodSource it has still been a tough year for U.S. shrimp importers.
“We’ve experienced lackluster sales during the past year," Bloom said. "We have not seen much promotion at either retail or restaurant chains until this past month and seemingly the coming months.”
Imported farmed Asian shrimp prices have risen around 5 to 10 percent on some sizes in the past quarter, according to Bloom, but selling prices have not increased in the U.S.
Shrimp was popular in limited-time offers introduced at a number of restaurant chains across the U.S. during the Lenten season. For example, Columbus, Ohio-based White Castle brought back its Shrimp Nibblers and debuted Sriracha Shrimp Nibblers.
Atlanta, Georgia, U.S.A.-based Church’s Chicken offered an eight-piece Butterfly Shrimp Meal and a Shrimp and Tenders Meal during Lent, which included four shrimp and two tenders. And Lake Forest, California, U.S.A.-based Del Taco brought back Crispy Jumbo Shrimp Tacos and offered a Buttery Garlic Parmesan Crispy Jumbo Shrimp Taco and a Buttery Garlic Parmesan Stuffed Quesadilla Jumbo Shrimp Taco.
Photo courtesy of Red Lobster
