Seafood Restaurant Traffic Outpaces Industry as Outlook Stays Mixed
Seafood restaurant traffic outperformed the broader industry in May, led by Red Lobster's 18.5% jump, though the outlook stays mixed. Read more here.
Prajakta Sanjay Warwadkar 
WASHINGTON, June 16, 2026 — Seafood restaurant traffic outperformed the broader U.S. restaurant industry through the spring, with chains posting traffic gains in May even as economic worries persist. Foot-traffic firm Placer.ai reported that average visits per location to Red Lobster jumped 18.5 percent in May year over year.
The figures point to a value-driven shift among diners that has helped seafood chains gain ground while parts of casual dining slip. The trend matters for an industry trying to rebuild after high-profile setbacks, including Red Lobster's 2024 bankruptcy.
Seafood Restaurant Traffic Climbs at Key Chains
Red Lobster's May gain followed a 2.6 percent rise in April, according to Placer.ai. Bonefish Grill traffic rose 9 percent year over year in May, while average visits to Captain D's locations climbed 4.3 percent.
R.J. Hottovy, head of analytical research at Placer.ai, said seafood chains have "generally outperformed the broader restaurant segment" in recent months, driven by a renewed focus on value. He credited Red Lobster's revamped Endless Shrimp promotion, offered for a limited time, for strong visits in late April and May.
Hottovy said Bonefish Grill and Captain D's won diners with value bundles and limited-time offers as visits to other casual chains fell. Orlando-based Red Lobster's earlier all-day shrimp deal had contributed to its financial troubles.
Captain D's Leans Into Alaskan Pollock
Captain D's, the Nashville-based operator of more than 500 U.S. restaurants plus sites in Canada and the U.K., is shifting several signature whitefish products to Alaskan pollock. The chain partnered with Trident Seafoods and Channel Fish Processing to launch a wild-caught, batter-dipped fish from Alaska.
Janet Duckham, the chain's chief supply chain officer, said the sourcing reflects the quality and sustainability standards of Alaska fisheries. Home cooks can also browse a collection of fish recipes to cook seafood at home.
A Mixed Outlook for Diners
The National Restaurant Association said two-thirds of consumers feel good about their overall well-being, with 56 percent dining out in the past week. The group said restaurants "remain the top discretionary purchase for consumers" even as households cut other spending.
Caution remains, however. The association found 36 percent of consumers spent less at restaurants in the second quarter than the first, and the University of Michigan's consumer sentiment index fell to a record low of 44.8 in May.
Not every chain shared the gains. Average visits to Long John Silver's fell 1.8 percent in May, while overall restaurant traffic dropped 2.5 percent, led by a 4.4 percent decline at quick-service restaurants. data left the sector's outlook cautiously optimistic, the association said.
Reporting based on data from Placer.ai and the National Restaurant Association's Quarterly Consumer Insights Survey, as reported by SeafoodSource. Verified by HospitalityCareerProfile.com.
