Red Lobster, the affordable American seafood restaurant chain is closing tens of its outlets in the U.S. after reporting losses in quarter 3, 2023. The restaurant has over 750 venues globally but it remains quintessentially American. Most people associate the restaurant with seafood but it also sells various non-seafood offers. 

While the company’s name evokes the obvious food staple as lobster, biscuits, shrimps, mussels and baked goods grace the menu, too.

Here is a look at three of the most popular.

Shrimp Giveaways and Red Lobster Closure

Shrimps have featured in various offers including fall 2022’s “Endless Shrimp” giveaway where diners accessed unlimited shrimp dishes for $21.99.

Customers could choose Garlic Shrimp Scampi, Argentine Red Shrimp or Parmesan-Bacon Shrimp Scampi, among other branded dishes. 

Then there came the “Ultimate Endless Shrimp” giveaway in June 2023, where customers could bag unlimited shrimp for just $20. 

According to a November 2023 report by CNN, the company’s Q3, 2023 loss of $11 million owed to this wildly popular deal.

Cheddar Bay Biscuits

Probably the most popular food in any Red Lobster menu is the Cheddar Bay Biscuits snack. Its gooey texture due to cheese dressing makes this meat-free baked good a hit with all sorts of customers. 

The main ingredients for the snack include baking soda, baking powder, garlic powder, wheat flour and cornstarch. The biscuits’ average cost is $5.29 per pound, which makes them accessible to most.

Bar Harbor Lobster Bake

Another popular offer is the Bar Harbor Lobster Bake, whose main appeal is the wide range of seafood ingredients in it. Its shrimp, mussel and scallop combination with Maine lobster tails goes well with tomato chops. 

On top of that, this dish comes with small pasta ribbons known as linguine. The ribbons look appetizing due to their dressing with light white wine soup. The dish averages between $37.99 and 40.99 per serving.

U.S.’ Seafood Prices Up March 2024

The exit of several Red Lobster’s outlets coincides with a spike in American seafood prices, especially in Q1, 2024.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) reported in April that fish and seafood prices gained by 0.3% in March 2024, year-on-year.  

However, USDA expects seafood prices to drop later in 2024 by 1.6% below those of 2023 as summer supplies improve.

So, the closure of various Red Lobster restaurants is ironically happening just when U.S.’ fish and seafood are about to get cheap.