LemonShark Poke vs Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
LemonShark Poke Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Investment $341,950 - $866,400$232,900 - $828,700
Franchise Fee $40,000$38,500
Royalty Fee 6%6-8%
Advertising Fee 2%2%
Year Founded 20162011
Year Franchised 20172014
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
LemonShark Poke Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Experience --

Financing Options
 
LemonShark Poke 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
 
LemonShark Poke Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 112 hours Classroom Training: 36 hours On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours
Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Grand Opening Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software 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 National Media 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 Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 2 - 3 Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 2

Expansion Plans
 
LemonShark Poke Franchise
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
US Expansion YesYes
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion YesYes

Company Overviews

About LemonShark Poke

Lemon Shark Poké began as a collaboration between two lifelong friends Tobi Miller and Richard Gottlieb. The duo has been immersed in Hawaiian culture for nearly four decades, having gone on annual family trips together to the islands while growing up. It was during these vacations that they first encountered Hawaiian cuisine at age 11, and immediately developed a passion for the food and the people of Hawaii.

After running their own separate restaurant ventures for several years, they decided to bring their original love - Hawaiian cuisine - to the mainland. In doing so, they consulted with Hawaiian native chef, Brunson Achiu (who has brought Regional Hawaiian Cuisine to the mainland) to develop LemonShark Poke’s unique and innovative menu.

The first two restaurants opened in Redlands and San Bernadino, CA in 2016 to rave reviews and huge success. Yelp ratings are averaging high results.
 LemonShark Poke awarded 26 franchises in the first two months of franchising: San Diego, CA; Los Angeles, CA; NYC, NY; Chicago, IL; Austin and Dallas TX; and Orlando, FL. We are staffed for rapid growth with over 50+ corporate employees already in place from the franchise restaurant industry, and real estate professionals on staff to assist you to find only the very best locations.

Veteran discount   15% off franchise fee

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.