IHOP, Red Lobster push shrimp as value proposition

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.

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.

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.

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 ... 

Photo courtesy of Red Lobster