Opens in a new tab

FRANCHISE RESALES

Buy a Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise

Cousins Maine Lobster is a fast-casual seafood franchise built around wild-caught Maine lobster, serving lobster rolls, lobster tacos, lobster grilled cheese and other seafood dishes. The business was founded by cousins Sabin Lomac and Jim Tselikis, who launched a single Los Angeles food truck in 2012 and secured an investment from Barbara Corcoran after appearing on Shark Tank.

The brand runs two franchise formats: mobile food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants, the latter ranging from compact food-hall and in-line counters to standalone storefronts. Lobster is sourced from small fishing communities along the coast of Maine, and that sourcing story sits at the centre of the customer experience under the brand’s “Nationally Known, Locally Owned” positioning.

From that first truck, Cousins Maine Lobster has grown into a network of franchised trucks and restaurants across the United States, with international locations as well. The dual-format structure lets operators enter at the truck level or run fixed restaurants, and many franchisees build multiple units across both formats within a single market.

Latest Resales

  • There are currently no Cousins Maine Lobster resales available
Register your interest

Why buy a Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise?

The appeal of buying a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise starts with brand recognition that few independent seafood concepts can match. The Shark Tank origin, ongoing involvement of founders Jim and Sabin, and national media exposure give operators a consumer-facing story that drives foot traffic and word of mouth in local markets.

The model is also flexible. Franchisees can run a lower-overhead mobile truck, a fixed restaurant, or a combination, and Cousins coordinates simplified purchasing and distribution of its proprietary, Maine-sourced product so owners are not building a supply chain alone. That product consistency, paired with proprietary operating technology and recipes, supports a recurring local customer base in a fast-casual category that has stayed resilient across economic cycles.

Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise Costs & Information

Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

  • Brand Profile

    • Year Founded

      2012

    • Franchising Since

      2014

    • New Startup Cost

      $193,900 – $651,200

    • Avg. Resale Price

      Contact us for details

  • Franchise Fees

    • Initial franchise Fee

      $40,000

      for new territories

    • Transfer Fee

      $10,000

    • Royalty Fee

      8%

      of Gross Sales or $3,500/mo min

    • Marketing Fee

      2%

      of Gross Sales

  • Unit Performance

    • Total Units *

      84

    • New Units Opened *

      19

    • Units Transferred *

      3

    • Avg. Unit revenue *

      $1,208,313

    * Based on 2025 data reported in the 2026 FDD

Cousins Maine Lobster – Additional  Information

  1. Training & Support

    Training is multi-stage and multi-location: franchisees train in Maine alongside lobstermen to learn the product, then in Los Angeles with the corporate operations team, before a corporate trainer is dispatched to the unit. Existing breakdowns cite 51-74 classroom hours and 74-116 hours on the job. Owners get ongoing guidance from a Franchise Director and a personal CML liaison, proprietary operating technology, a digital marketing bundle, recipes and operations manuals, and simplified purchasing. Resale buyers should confirm what initial training and system access Cousins provides when ownership transfers.

  2. Ideal Owner

    The model suits hands-on local operators who can run and grow a small business while staying close to customer service and community marketing. For food trucks, restaurant experience is favourable but not required; for restaurants, Cousins looks for owners with food-and-beverage experience or a general manager who has it. Strong leadership, attention to operational detail, and comfort in a sales and marketing role matter most. Owners who enjoy events, local social media and building a recognisable neighbourhood presence tend to fit the brand's locally owned positioning.

  3. Recognition & Awards

    Cousins Maine Lobster has earned repeated recognition from Franchise Business Review, named a Top 200 Franchise in 2026 and 2025 and winning FBR Most Profitable, Top Food, Rock Star and Culture awards across 2024 and 2025. It has also been ranked in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500, recognised with Franchise Update Media's Franchise Innovation Award, and named among Fast Casual's Top Movers & Shakers. For resale buyers, brand-level recognition should be weighed alongside the specific unit's local reviews, referral sources and community visibility.

  4. Industry / Market

    Cousins competes in US fast-casual dining, a category estimated at roughly $48.5 billion in 2025 and projected to grow at about a 6.4% annual rate over the following decade, as diners favour quality, convenience and distinctive menus over traditional fast food. Demand for sustainably sourced seafood and premium, experience-led concepts supports the brand's Maine-lobster niche. For resale buyers, local factors matter most: a truck's route and event calendar or a restaurant's location, competition and seasonal demand shape unit performance more than national trends.

Learn more about
how to own a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise resale

Please fill out the form below and a Franchise Flippers expert will be in touch with you shortly.

The Franchise Brand Index

This page is part of Franchise Flippers’ independent franchise Index, designed as an educational resource to help potential buyers explore the franchise resale market and compare brands.

Trademark & Affiliation Disclaimer

This website is an independent, informational resource. All trademarks, logos, and brand names displayed are the property of their respective owners and are used solely for identification and educational purposes. Their use does not imply any affiliation with, endorsement by, or sponsorship from the respective trademark holders.