Rōti adds citrus grilled shrimp to expand protein lineup

Rōti Modern Mediterranean added Citrus Grilled Shrimp on June 15, giving the chain its first shrimp offering and a cleaner way to widen the menu without drifting from its Mediterranean core. The move matters because shrimp brings variety, a lighter premium cue and a summer-friendly protein story that still fits lunch and dinner.

The new item runs across bowl, salad, wrap and pita formats, with the Citrus Grilled Shrimp Bowl listed at 1,070 calories and 53 grams of protein. That gives Rōti a straightforward nutrition pitch for diners who want high-protein meals without defaulting to chicken again. The build also leans into the brand’s strength in bright, layered flavors: saffron rice, roasted zucchini, yellow squash, red bell peppers, cucumbers, sumac tomatoes, feta cheese, garlic sauce, citrus vinaigrette and Rōti spice.

For fast-casual operators, that combination is the point. Protein is no longer just about adding another grilled chicken option and calling it innovation. Chains are using seafood, seasoning and format flexibility to make the menu feel broader, more seasonal and a little less predictable. Rōti’s shrimp launch does that neatly. It gives the brand a fresh headline item while reinforcing the customizable platform that already underpins bowls, salads, handhelds and family sides.

The timing also fits Rōti’s rebuild. The chain was founded in 2006 or 2007, depending on the source, and reached 42 locations at its peak before the pandemic. After a 2024 bankruptcy, BroadPeak Capital bought the brand in 2025, and Edible Brands now says Rōti has 18 corporate-owned locations across Chicago, Washington, D.C. and Minneapolis. In that context, a first-ever shrimp launch is more than a menu tweak. It is part of a reset that needs visible signs of momentum.

That pattern has been building all spring. In March 2026, Rōti rolled out a Hot Honey Harissa menu with Mike’s Hot Honey, which included the brand’s first-ever sandwich and new fry items. In May, it introduced Global Rōti Day and expanded with delivery-first kitchens in London. Citrus Grilled Shrimp extends that run of firsts, and it does so in a category where variety, freshness and protein density can still move the needle.