Franchise

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BRICK & MORTARS

Versatile & Easy-to-Operate Restaurant Models

Brick & Mortar storefronts, standalones, in-lines, food halls & more. We offer flexible models to fit your market. Cousins Maine Lobster will assist you every step of the way in choosing a location, building your restaurant, opening, and beyond! Versatile, easy-to-operate buildouts ranging from 200 sq ft. - 1500+ sq ft.

FOOD TRUCKS

Get in on the action

Our food trucks are world famous, and are the perfect way to bring the Maine lobster experience to your neighborhood. Be part of the food truck craze with a truck that is sure to stand out from the rest.

WE TRAIN IN MAINE

Better grab your fishin’ boots

We’re the real deal. Being part of the Cousins Maine Lobster family means training in Maine. You’ll meet our lobstermen and hop on board their boats. You’ll bait and haul traps, measure lobsters for sustainability, and learn what makes our Maine lobster so special, following our product all the way from trap to truck or table.

THE BEST LOBSTER IN THE WORLD

Taste the difference in every bite

Wild-caught, sustainably harvested, premium lobster from Maine. Sourced from one of our seven partner wharves and caught by hometown Lobstermen we know and trust. Served with care and attention by knowledgeable staff with our signature Downeast Maine Hospitality.

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A FAMILY TO LEAN ON

Go into business for yourself, not by yourself
  • Comprehensive multi-stage, multi-location training in advance of your opening
  • Corporate trainers available for refresher training upon request/need
  • Digital Bundle of marketing materials to print or use digitally to market your business
  • Access to proprietary technologies that gives you a leg up on your competition and simplify daily operations
  • Ongoing guidance from a Franchise Director to keep your business on track
  • Use of our branding trademarks
  • Simplified purchasing and distribution
  • Access to our secret family recipes and operations manuals
  • A personal CML liaison to provide onboarding, oversight on real estate site selection or truck builder, construction, design and buildout of restaurant
  • Guidance for local advertising and marketing, and an effective local social media presence
  • Access to a family of established Cousins Maine Lobster business owners to share wisdom & guidance!

THE 10 EASY STEPS TO OWNING A COUSINS MAINE LOBSTER FRANCHISE

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  • 1Submit a franchise application
  • 2Be contacted by a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise representative within 24 hours
  • 3Speak with Jim & Sabin about your proposed market & concept
  • 4Discovery Day -- come to LA and meet Jim, Sabin, & the corporate operations team
  • 5Be awarded a franchise
  • 6Connect with your personal CML liaison who will help you every step of the way in the launching of your food truck or restaurant
  • 7Train in Maine -- learn about Maine lobster from industry professionals
  • 8Train in Los Angeles along with key members of your operational team
  • 9Corporate trainer dispatched to your location in advance of your grand opening
  • 10Grand Opening, with a Cousin in attendance!

APPLICATION FORM


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*Disclaimer: This website and the franchise sales information on this site do not constitute an offer to sell a franchise. The offer of a franchise can only be made through the delivery of a Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). Certain states require that we register the FDD in those states. The communications on this web site are not directed by us to residents of any of those states. Moreover, we will not offer or sell franchises in those states until we have registered the franchise (or obtained an applicable exemption from registration) and delivered the FDD to the prospective franchisee in compliance with applicable law. Please know that our franchise offering requires an initial investment of $145,900 to $359,900 for our food trucks and $362,900 to $768,200 for our restaurants. If you can meet these requirements, we want to hear from you!

FAQs

Cousins Maine Lobster will respond to all inquiries within 24 hours to set up a call and further discuss the due diligence process, initial investment requirements, and your market area.
We’ll show you the ropes! What you need is a passion for good food, an uncompromising attitude, and a respect for a premium, wild-caught, sustainably harvested product, and a desire to give your local market a unique and authentic Maine experience.
For Food Trucks, while it is favorable, it is not required. For restaurants, we are looking for operators who have food & beverage experience, or can identify a General Manager with that experience. We employ a comprehensive multi-stage, multi-location training program that that covers everything you’ll need to know to run your own Cousins Maine Lobster food truck or restaurant. We do require strong leadership skills, attention to detail, strong operational and administrative skills, a desire to learn, and commitment to providing your customers with the very best Maine Lobster experience.
Yes, please speak with your CML Food Truck or Storefront Representative regarding any questions on multi-unit franchising. Our Food Truck territories are large to encourage multi-unit growth and will typically encompass an entire MSA or a mulit-county market area. Our restaurant territories are smaller and we will allow for placements within a 10 or 20 mile radius from existing units if we are confident it will not impact existing unit sales.
Yes, please speak with your CML Franchise or Storefront Representative regarding any questions on international or master franchisee opportunities.
The ideal franchise candidate is an experienced business person who understands how to run and grow a business. The ideal candidate should excel at customer service, employee relationships, and be comfortable in a sales and marketing role, or have identified partners/individuals in their business who are.
Yes. To Ensure quality and consistency, Cousins Maine Lobster requires franchisees to purchase all food, beverage, equipment, technology, and proprietary furnishings and fixtures from our designated suppliers.
Yes. To maintain the Cousins Maine Lobster look, feel, and flow, our designated construction management group will oversee the entire design, buildout, and furnishings/decor as part of our “store-in-a-box” full service program.
No. You may purchase or lease a food truck that meets our specifications from an approved truck supplier of your choice, built out to Cousins Maine Lobster standards. Cousins Maine Lobster will provide blueprints, equipment specifications and graphics to ensure your truck meets brand standards.

Complete the franchise sign-up form and join the Cousins Maine Lobster family!! Cousins Maine Lobster is looking for motivated, experienced business people to help us expand our brand of Maine lobster around the world.

We’re 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.

We’re 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.

Our 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! We’ve 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 here to join our family.