New summer deals from Red Lobster, Long John Silver’s, and other restaurant chains aim to boost sales of shrimp, which has experienced sluggish demand in the U.S.
“Stable” pricing has been favorable for U.S. retail and foodservice buyers, but despite that, U.S. shrimp imports are down more than 50,000 metric tons in 2023 due to “soft” demand, according to Eric Bloom, president of Teaneck, New Jersey, U.S.A.-based Eastern Fish Co.
“I sense that there is still a fair amount of stock here in the U.S.,” Bloom said. “We are finding demand both in retail and foodservice a little softer than it had been for the last few years.”
Avid seafood consumers are going to eat shrimp regardless, but some restaurants have not reduced prices, turning away cost-sensitive consumers as a result, Bloom said.
Retail-wise, Bloom said there has been a substantial increase in promotional activity in order to clear excess stock and take advantage of lower market prices.
Recognizing the issue and trying to maintain competitiveness with retail, certain restaurant chains are beginning to promote shrimp at a discount this summer in an attempt to lure back price-conscious customers.
Mission Viejo, California, U.S.A.-based Sizzler, which operates 79 restaurants throughout the U.S., is offering a crispy shrimp meal, which includes 24 pieces of breaded crispy shrimp, mac and cheese, vegetable medley side dishes, classic cheese toast, ice cream, and an unlimited salad bar.
According to the company, feeding a family of four at Sizzler with its shrimp meals is USD 36 (EUR 33) cheaper compared to the USD 109 (EUR 100) cost of cooking the same meal at home. The restaurant chain first calculated the price of its crispy shrimp meal offering. Then, it examined the price of the ingredients used to recreate a substantial portion of food at home per person. Sizzler compared prices for the ingredients at a Safeway store in Corona, California, U.S.A., and also accounted for the time necessary to prepare, cook, clean, and grocery shop when eating at home.
“Throughout the inflationary times of the past few years, shrimp is maybe the one lone protein category that has remained flat [in price], [making it] a go-to menu item,” Sizzler Vice President of Procurement Don Henry told SeafoodSource.
Steak and seafood combos – including steak and lobster, steak and jumbo shrimp, steak and shrimp skewers, and steak with unlimited crispy shrimp – are among the top sellers at Sizzler, according to Henry.
“Shrimp items are part of our heritage of serving entrees at a great value, and we often feature new items as limited-time offers,” Henry said.
The company recently wrapped up one of its most successful LTOs, which featured steak and coconut shrimp, as well as steak and crispy honey garlic shrimp, which comprised over 7 percent of guest’s orders while it was active, according to Henry.
Meanwhile, Orlando, Florida, U.S.A.-based Red Lobster recently announced that its “guest favorite” Ultimate Endless Shrimp offerings will be available all the time, instead of for a limited time.
“Gone are the days of anxiously awaiting the return of Ultimate Endless Shrimp. Guests are now invited to visit their local Red Lobster restaurant to mix and match their favorite shrimp for just USD 20 [EUR 18] … an irresistible offer now available all day, every day,” the company said.
Guests can choose two shrimp choices to start, and when they are ready for more, they can order additional shrimp selections “until their cravings are fully satisfied,” Red Lobster said. Each Ultimate Endless Shrimp meal comes with a choice of side and Cheddar Bay Biscuits. The Ultimate Endless Shrimp offerings include garlic shrimp scampi, coconut shrimp, shrimp linguini alfredo, Walt’s favorite shrimp, and a garlic-grilled shrimp skewer.
Louisville, Kentucky, U.S.A.-based Long John Silver’s, with locations in the U.S. and abroad, is also aiming to entice cost-conscious consumers by rolling out three different shrimp baskets for USD 6.00 (EUR 5.52) each. The basket choices include six pieces of grilled shrimp served on a bed of savory rice with one side, six hand-battered shrimp served with one side and two hushpuppies, or crispy-breaded popcorn shrimp served with one side and two hushpuppies. Additionally, LJS is bringing back its USD 10 (EUR 9.20) Shrimp Sea-Shares, which include 15 pieces of grilled shrimp, 15 pieces of batter-dipped shrimp, or a “sharable saving” of breaded popcorn shrimp.
“We see guests responding to great value as they continue to face headwinds from inflation. Long John Silver’s always strives to provide quality shrimp at a great value for its customers,” LJS Senior Vice President of Marketing and Innovation Christopher Caudill told SeafoodSource.
Besides those three brands, many other restaurants across the country are also featuring shrimp on their menus this summer.
Costa Mesa, California, U.S.A.-based California Pizza Kitchen introduced dynamite shrimp, which includes crispy shrimp tossed with sweet and spicy sriracha sauce topped with scallions and sesame seeds.
Salt, a new upscale-casual restaurant at the Hilton Pensacola Beach in Pensacola Beach, Florida, operated by Innisfree, is touting a new ceviche with shrimp, octopus, calamari, and clams, along with pecan-crusted grouper with Gulf shrimp and cream sauce.
Denver, Colorado, U.S.A.-based Eddie Merlot’s debuted filet mignon and citrus shrimp scampi, along with grilled swordfish.
Photo courtesy of Sizzler
