Nathan's Famous vs Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Nathan's Famous vs Cousins Maine Lobster including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Nathan's Famous Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Investment $43,000 - $1,071,360$232,900 - $828,700
Franchise Fee $30,000$38,500
Royalty Fee 5.5%6-8%
Advertising Fee 2%2%
Year Founded 19162011
Year Franchised 19882014
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee 50% of franchise fee-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Nathan's Famous Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

    Financing Options
     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/No-/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/No-/Yes
    Equipment Yes/No-/Yes
    Inventory Yes/No-/Yes
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support
     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Co-op advertisingAd Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 14

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (65% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 2

    Expansion Plans
     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Nathan's Famous

    Franchising is a business concept that allows qualified investors to become part of an established, existing “system.” A good way to look at franchising is, you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself. Strategically, this provides many benefits under a brand name that has consumer awareness and equity.
    Nathan’s has taken this basic premise and redefined it to exceed the most stringent business criteria of today’s investor.

    Nathan’s offers a wide range of restaurant designs and customized equipment, thereby offering business opportunities to qualified candidates regardless of space constraints or investment limitations.

    The estimated initial investment for a BMP Operation ranges from $43,000 to $86,300, including an initial license fee of $7,500. If you want to add an “Arthur Treacher’s” BMP Operation to your new or existing food service establishment, the additional estimated initial investment will be from $34,404 to $81,486, including an initial license fee of $7,500.

    "Top
    #78 in Gator's Top franchises
    #286 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Cousins Maine Lobster

    Cousins Maine Lobster is looking for motivated, experienced business people to help us expand our brand of Maine lobster around the world.
    Cousins Maine Lobster is real cousins with a passion for the sweet, delicious Maine lobster we grew up eating. We started selling lobster rolls out of a single truck in the spring of 2012. After a lot of hard work (and a good amount of fun) we now have a fleet of trucks and several franchise commitments throughout the United States.
    Cousins Maine Lobster's commitment to quality food and great customer service has led to our being featured on ABC’s Shark Tank, The Chew, the Katie Couric show, CNBC, FOX, and QVC!
    Cousins Maine Lobster has been named the LA Hot List’s #1 Food Truck in LA two years in a row and Tasting Table named us the “Best Lobster Roll on the West Coast” for 2013, 2014, and 2015. Our passion, our nationally recognized brand, our customer loyalty and our awesome lobster rolls make us special. If you’re looking to own your own business and are ready to start selling the #1 lobster rolls in America, sign up to join our family.

    Cousins Maine Lobster is seeking franchisees who are committed to our brand, offering the highest quality food in a family-friendly environment with outstanding customer service, and offering Maine lobster every day from our official Cousins Maine Lobster food trucks.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise is $232,900 to $828,700. This includes between $68,500 and $98,500, that must be paid to franchisor and its affiliates.
    The total additional investment necessary to become a Cousins Maine Lobster Area Developer with one additional franchise is $30,000 to $120,000 for 4 additional franchises. This includes $30,000 to $120,000 that must be paid to the franchisor or its affiliate(s). If you elect and qualify for an Area Developer franchise, you must open a minimum of one additional Cousins Maine Lobster franchise business.

    "Entrepreneur
    #421 in Franchise 500 for 2020.