Shell Shack vs Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Shell Shack Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Investment $588,500 - $858,900$232,900 - $828,700
Franchise Fee $50,000$38,500
Royalty Fee -6-8%
Advertising Fee -2%
Year Founded -2011
Year Franchised -2014
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements

 
Shell Shack Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Experience 5 years minimum multi-unit operations experience Ability to develop two or more restaurants Sufficient Financial Resources: Minimum liquid assets $500,000 Minimum net worth $1,500,000 Strong Banking Relationships or Investment Capital -

Financing Options

 
Shell Shack Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
  In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees -/--/Yes
Start-up Costs -/--/Yes
Equipment -/--/Yes
Inventory -/--/Yes
Receivables -/--/-
Payroll -/--/-

Training & Support

 
Shell Shack Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Training All managers and control personnel must participate in a 2-3 week training program at the Shell Shack Training Center located in Dallas, TX. Additionally, we provide an Opening Training Team; which is composed of at least 5 of our trained representatives to provide on-site pre-opening and opening training, supervision and assistance to you for a minimum of 14 days. Once completed, franchisees receive regular updates to their training, including on-site visits and operation reviews. On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
Support -Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software
Marketing -Ad Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations -Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 2


Expansion Plans

 
Shell Shack Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion -Yes

Company Overviews

About Shell Shack

Shell Shack is a one of a kind seafood restaurant experience in the casual dining segment specializing in proprietary infused seasoned crab and seafood of all shapes and sizes. The Shell Shack family strives to better our customer experience each and every day through operational excellence. We believe our seafood loving customers are the reason the Shell Shack brand grew 100% in 2016 and we anticipate doubling our locations in 2017. If you have proven restaurant success and are looking to diversify your portfolio or just have a perfect location, then we challenge you to reach out and tell us your story.

What makes Shell Shack different?


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.

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#421 in Franchise 500 for 2020.