A woman was arrested at Applebee’s for sharing an all-you-can-eat deal

A trip to Applebee’s ended with the arrest of a regular customer who wanted to share her all-you-can-eat offering with her table neighbors.

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

According to the police report released today, local Portage police were called to Applebee’s for a “verbal disturbance” where officers heard “several females screaming…threatening people.” Upon arrival, the officer encountered three adults and “several juveniles” who stated they were involved in a “verbal altercation” with the manager of the Applebee’s. The individual told the officer that they had been charged for two all-you-can-eat meals after one person purchased them and shared them with a group member.

This is how the confusion began.

Applebee’s announces its All You Can Eat deal

On July 29, Applebee’s announced in a press release that it was launching an All You Can Eat deal that included an “unbeatable feast of America’s favorite boneless wings, Applebee’s signature riblets or crispy Double Crunch Shrimp – served with endless fries – for just $15.99.” It also noted that the deal allowed guests to try the brand’s new “Backyard Buckets” and Summertime Sips for $10.

“Our All You Can Eat offering of boneless wings, riblets and Double Crunch Shrimp is the perfect way for our guests to eat their fill and go home with a full wallet,” said Joel Yashinsky, Applebee’s marketing director, in the statement. “From America’s favorite boneless wings, available in six delicious sauces, to our slow-cooked riblets and crispy breaded Double Crunch Shrimp, summer has never tasted better at Applebee’s.”

What’s in Applebee’s fine print?

In the press release, the California-based chain stated that the offer was for “dine-in restaurants” only and was only available for a limited time. It also added that price and participation may vary by location. Applebee’s added that there could be no substitutions under the offer. Most importantly, the offer clearly stated: “Offer valid per person, per order. No sharing.”

This is how the arrest went

According to the police report, the argument started when the manager saw that the guests at the table were splitting the deal and handed him an updated bill. Then the situation escalated and the police were called.

The woman involved in the argument handed the menu to the officer, who in turn pointed out the small print “per person”. At the same time, another couple tried to leave the restaurant, whereupon the woman “became very loud and disorderly and attracted the attention of other guests with her behavior”. After her table neighbor made several attempts to calm her down, the officer arrested her.

And as Today reported, when another member of their dinner party realized the mistake, they returned to Applebee’s to pay the entire bill.

It is not the first All You Can Eat arrest

This is far from the only arrest related to an all-you-can-eat deal. In 2012, a Wisconsin man refused to pay for his all-you-can-eat fish meal at Chuck’s Place after staff turned him away after the 12th piece. The restaurant reportedly offered him eight more pieces, but he didn’t agree to the terms because this wasn’t technically an all-you-can-eat meal. So he protested outside the business instead and was arrested for disturbing the peace.

And in 2019, a Long Island woman was arrested for going behind the bar at a TGI Friday’s and trying to bag food from an all-you-can-eat buffet. When staff told her it was against the restaurant’s policy to let her behind the bar, she pulled out a knife and threatened to stab them.

So please read the fine print before you try 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 comment.