Red Lobster has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, largely due to the permanent "Endless Shrimp" promotion pushed by major shareholder Thai Union. This deal, combined with exclusive supply obligations and higher costs, strained the company despite other challenges like mismanagement and competition. The episode contrasts this with Olive Garden’s successful strategy of keeping its pasta promotion temporary, illustrating how Red Lobster’s decision to make the shrimp deal permanent contributed to its downfall.