Captain D's Seafood vs Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Captain D's Seafood Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Investment $1,005,600 - $1,223,600$232,900 - $828,700
Franchise Fee $35,000$38,500
Royalty Fee 4.5%6-8%
Advertising Fee 1.1%2%
Year Founded 19692011
Year Franchised 19692014
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Captain D's Seafood Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		• -

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

    Training & Support
     
    Captain D's Seafood Franchise
    Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
    Training On-The-Job Training: 219 hours Classroom Training: 21 hours Additional Training: Onsite store opening On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
    Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
    Marketing Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    		Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 2

    Expansion Plans
     
    Captain D's Seafood Franchise
    Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Captain D's Seafood

    The first Captain D's opened in Donelson, TN in 1969. It was then called Mr. D's. And the big idea behind it was to serve high quality, quick-service seafood. Over 30 years later this big idea, now Captain D's, has grown to almost 600 restaurants in 23 states. Our menu offers a wide variety of fried, baked and broiled fish and shrimp dishes, seafood-stuffed crab shells, chicken and a variety of side items including corn, baked potato, cole slaw, tossed salads, hushpuppies and desserts, among others. We also offer a variety of seasonal seafood favorites. For a fresh business opportunity that provides industry-leading AUV growth, look no further than Captain D's. Since opening our doors in 1969, we've never stopped innovating and it has paid off. Today, with more than 520 restaurants nationwide and internationally, we're proud to be America's favorite quick service destination for seafood. Never satisfied with success alone, our team of product innovators and culinary experts continually look for opportunities to propel our growth. Our innovations, from rolling out new restaurant designs to offering delicious fire-grilled menu items, help us stand above the rest. We've found the perfect recipe for success through our heritage, hospitality, and commitment to excellence, and we're looking for new franchise professionals to share in Captain D's growth.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Captain D’s franchise ranges from $1,005,600 to $1,223,600 for the current Captain D’s prototype restaurant. That includes an initial franchise fee that you must pay to the franchisor in the amount of $35,000. You must pay one-half of the initial franchise fee for each Captain D’s restaurant you plan to develop as a non-refundable development fee when you sign a development agreement with the franchisor. The development agreements require the development of at least one restaurant.
    Veteran Incentives    50% off first-unit franchise fee; royalty fee reduced for first year

    "Top   "Entrepreneur
    #35 in Gator's Top franchises.
    #140 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #329 in Franchise 500 for 2021.





    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.