Cousins Maine Lobster - Storefront
Food & Beverage · Full Service Restaurants
Description
What is Cousins Maine Lobster - Storefront?
The franchise stands out for its commitment to serving only premium, sustainably sourced Maine lobster in a variety of creative preparations. Their menu features classic favorites like lobster rolls (served both Maine and Connecticut style), lobster tacos, and lobster bisque, alongside innovative fusion dishes that appeal to modern diners. Each restaurant maintains direct relationships with Maine lobstermen, ensuring the highest quality seafood reaches customers' plates.
What sets Cousins Maine Lobster apart is their unique ability to deliver an authentic Maine lobster shack experience in a contemporary casual dining setting. The restaurants feature a welcoming atmosphere that combines coastal New England charm with modern dining convenience. Their business model has proven successful in both urban and suburban locations, attracting customers seeking a premium seafood experience without the fine dining price tag.
Franchisees benefit from comprehensive training programs, proven operational systems, and strong brand recognition built through national media exposure. The concept's scalable model and efficient kitchen design allow for consistent execution of their signature menu items while maintaining the high-quality standards that have become synonymous with the Cousins Maine Lobster name.
- Shark Tank television exposure boost
- Authentic Maine lobster heritage brand
- Lower investment than restaurant peers
- Specialized seafood market positioning
- Fresh premium product differentiation
- Established supply chain partnerships
Location Analysis
Where Cousins Maine Lobster - Storefront wins
Based on the brand's specialty offering, ideal locations for Cousins Maine Lobster storefronts likely include upscale urban areas and affluent suburban communities with strong disposable income. Key success factors typically include: - Dense populations of young professionals and families - Above-average household incomes - Strong daytime population - Proximity to retail and entertainment districts - Limited premium seafood competition
Given the brand's measured footprint after a decade in operation, expansion opportunities may exist in both coastal and inland metropolitan markets. However, prospective franchisees should conduct thorough market research, as actual performance metrics and location data are limited. The selective growth pattern suggests a cautious approach to market selection, prioritizing optimal demographics and site characteristics over rapid expansion.
Is your territory available?
We'll take you through a few quick questions, then Cousins Maine Lobster - Storefront confirms availability directly.
Financial Analysis
The numbers behind Cousins Maine Lobster - Storefront
The seafood-focused restaurant segment benefits from growing consumer demand for fresh, sustainable dining experiences, though faces challenges from supply chain volatility and seasonal pricing fluctuations. The brand's television exposure through Shark Tank provides notable marketing advantages in an increasingly crowded casual dining landscape.
With only 5 units and 12 years of operation, the system represents an early-stage franchise opportunity. This limited scale may indicate either selective growth strategy or market penetration challenges, requiring careful evaluation of franchisor infrastructure and support capabilities.
The reported gross revenue of $821,095 falls below sub-sector averages, though this may reflect the system's boutique positioning and specialized menu focus. Prospective investors should consider the operational complexity of fresh seafood handling, supply chain management, and the seasonal nature of lobster pricing.
Ideal candidates possess restaurant management experience and sufficient working capital to navigate seafood cost fluctuations. The concept suits markets with higher disposable income and seafood dining preferences. Multi-unit development potential exists but requires careful market analysis given the specialized nature of the offering.
Financing partners
Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees
Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.
FranFund
CRF USA
Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.
First Bank of the Lake
Pension Pros
FDD Item 7
Initial investment range
Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $266,700 to $968,900. The midpoint $617,800 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.
FDD Item 19
Average gross sales
According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Cousins Maine Lobster - Storefront has an average gross revenue of $821K. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)
Growth over time
Franchise footprint
2024 Franchise Disclosure
FDD documents
Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Cousins Maine Lobster - Storefront's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.
Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.
Buyer FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The initial investment for a Cousins Maine Lobster - Storefront franchise typically ranges between $266,700.00 and $968,900.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.
Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
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