Cousins Maine Lobster vs Shuckin' Shack Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Shuckin' Shack Franchise
Investment $232,900 - $828,700$252,700 - $841,750
Franchise Fee $38,500$45,000
Royalty Fee 6-8%3.5-5.5%
Advertising Fee 2%1.5%
Year Founded 20112007
Year Franchised 20142014
Term Of Agreement --
Term Of Agreement --
Renewal Fee --


Business Experience Requirements
 
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Shuckin' Shack Franchise
Experience --

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

Training & Support
 
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Shuckin' Shack Franchise
Training On-The-Job Training: 40 hours Classroom Training: 40 hours On-The-Job Training: 80 hours Classroom Training: 64 hours
Support Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Ongoing Support Purchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
Marketing Ad Templates National Media Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app Ad Templates National Media Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
Operations Absentee Ownership Allowed

Number of Employees Required to Run: 2

 Absentee Ownership Allowed Number of Employees Required to Run: 20

Expansion Plans
 
Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise
Shuckin' Shack Franchise
US Expansion Yes-
Canada Expansion --
International Expansion Yes-

Company Overviews

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.



About Shuckin' Shack

"Shuckin

When the founders opened the first Shuckin’ Shack in 2007, their goal was to provide the highest quality seafood and drinks while removing all the pre-conceived notions of only getting great food a few times per year. Opening the second location in Historic Wilmington in 2012 brought similar success, even in a market flooded with seafood restaurants, taverns, and bars. One thing remained clear - Shuckin’ Shack was different than the tired “fry it all” seafood houses found all over the Southeastern United States. After a warm reception and a number of awards, as well as being featured in Coastal Living Magazine’s “22 Best Seafood Dives in America,” 2014 brought a new adventure: franchising. Sticking with the same mantra that brought two successful restaurants in North Carolina,

Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar can now be found in multiple states with over a dozen locations. The formula that works for “The Shack” can be found in their mission statement: “To show each guest ‘A Good Shuckin’ Time’ through fresh seafood, high-quality spirits, and exceptional customer service.”
Are you ready to bring ‘A Good Shuckin’ Time’ to your community?

Seeking new franchise units in the following regions/states:
Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Iowa, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia and Wyoming

Veteran Incentives  10% off franchise fee