A Woman Was Arrested at Applebee’s for Sharing an All-You-Can-Eat Deal

An outing to Applebee’s ended in arrest for one patron hoping to share her all-you-can-eat deal with her fellow diners. 

On August 2, 28-year-old Shawneesha Cobbs was arrested in Portage, Indiana, following an argument with restaurant staff over whether she was allowed to share her all-you-can-eat meal with her dining group, NBC News reported.

According to the arrest report obtained by Today, the local Portage Police Department was called to the Applebee’s for a “verbal disturbance” where the dispatchers heard “multiple females screaming … threatening people.” Upon arrival, the the officer was met with three adults and “several juveniles” who explained they were involved in a “verbal altercation” with the manager of the Applebee’s location. The person shared with the officer that they were charged for two All You Can Eat meals after one person purchased it and shared it with a group member. 

Here’s how the confusion began. 

Applebee’s announces its All You Can Eat deal

On July 29, Applebee’s shared in a press release that it was launching an All You Can Eat deal, which included an “unbeatable feast of America’s Favorite Boneless Wings, Applebee’s signature Riblets, or crispy Double Crunch Shrimp — served with Endless Fries — for only $15.99.” It also noted that guests could try the brand’s new $10 “Backyard Buckets” and Summertime Sips with the deal. 

“Our All You Can Eat Boneless Wings, Riblets, and Double Crunch Shrimp deal is the perfect way for our guests to eat their fill and leave with their wallets full,” Joel Yashinsky, the chief marketing officer of Applebee’s, shared in the statement. “From America’s Favorite Boneless Wings, available in six delicious sauces, to our slow-cooked Riblets and crispy battered Double Crunch Shrimp, summer never tasted better at Applebee’s.”

What’s in Applebee’s fine print 

In the release, the California-based chain stated that the deal was good for “dine-in only” and would only be available for a limited time. It also added that price and participation could vary between locations. Applebee’s added that there could be no substitutions as part of the deal. Most importantly, the deal clearly stated, “Offer valid per person, per order. No sharing.” 

How the arrest went down

According to the police report, the argument began when the manager saw the table sharing the deal and provided the table with an updated check. This is when the situation escalated, and police were called in.

The woman involved in the dispute gave the menu to the officer, who, in return, pointed out the fine print of “per person.” At the same time, another couple attempted to leave the dining establishment, which led to the woman becoming “very loud and disorderly, attracting the attention of other patrons due to her behavior.” After her dining party made several attempts to calm her, the officer placed her under arrest. 

And, as Today noted from the report, once they realized the error, another member of her dining party returned to Applebee’s to pay the bill in full. 

It’s not the first All You Can Eat arrest

This is far from the only arrest to come out of an all-you-can-eat deal. In 2012, a man from Wisconsin refused to pay for his all-you-can-eat fish fry meal at Chuck’s Place after the staff cut him off after his 12th piece. The restaurant allegedly offered him an additional eight pieces, but he didn’t agree to the terms as that wouldn’t technically be an all-you-can-eat meal. So, he protested outside the business instead and was arrested for disturbance. 

And in 2019, a Long Island woman was arrested for walking behind the bar of a TGI Friday’s location and attempting to pack up food at an all-you-can-eat buffet. When staff told her it was against the restaurant’s policy to have her behind the bar, she took out a knife and threatened to stab them.

So yes, please read that fine print before you attempt to make the most of the next all-you-can-eat deal you see. 

Food & Wine has reached out to Applebee’s and will update this story with any statement.