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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How much does it cost to open a Shuckin’ Shack franchise?

The investment range for a Shuckin’ Shack seafood franchise is between $471,750-$1,416,420

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How much can I potentially make as a Shuckin’ Shack Franchise Owner?

We are proud of our industry-leading unit economics and look forward to discussing those with you. In 2022, Locations over 2,000 Sq. ft. saw an Average Gross Sales of $1,650,674*.

Click HERE to access the Questionnaire.

* Refer to 2023 Franchise Disclosure Document Item 19- Table 4

How much cash do I need to have on hand to invest in a Shuckin’ Shack?

We require a qualified franchise candidate to have at least $250,000 in liquid capital.

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I require funding assistance for my Shuckin’ Shack franchise. Can you help me out?

Abso-shuckin’-loutely! We’ve partnered with Benetrends to offer small business funding assistance to qualifying investors. See how much you can qualify for HERE.

How much is the franchise fee?

That depends on how many Shuckin’ Shack franchise locations you want to open. Our franchise fee is $65,000 for a single-location franchise and $130,000 for a 3-unit pack.

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Do you offer a veteran discount?

We love veterans and are proud to offer a 10% franchise fee discount for active-duty and retired U.S. military through VetFran to show our appreciation for their brave service.

I don’t know anything about seafood. Can I still own a Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar?

Sure you can! While we prefer our Franchise Owners to have some restaurant or hospitality industry experience, it’s not required. All you need to know about seafood is that it’s SHUCKIN’ DELICIOUS, and we’ll take it from there!

What qualities do you look for in a franchise owner candidate?

We’re looking for franchise partners with a strong business management background and excellent communication skills, commitment to community, drive to make a positive difference, and fearless entrepreneurial spirit. 

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How long will it take to open my bar and grill franchise location?

It typically takes about a year from signing your franchise agreement to hosting the grand opening of your brand new Shuckin’ Shack- just think how many people will be clamoring to enjoy great seafood in a fun new neighborhood restaurant a year from now!

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What kind of training and support can I expect from Shuckin’ Shack's seafood franchise restaurants corporate team?

We’re strong believers in working as a team to achieve Franchise Owner success, and that starts on Day One with your initial Shuckin’ Shack franchise ownership training. Here’s what you can expect:

  • Training– Get 140+ hours of classroom and on-the-job instruction at our intensive “Shuck U!” training program.

  • Ongoing Support– The Shuckin’ Shack family is your safety net from agreement signing to Grand Opening, and beyond! 
  • Field Support– Get comprehensive assistance with site selection, build-out, design, and even the Grand Opening of your new Shuckin’ Shack franchise location!

  • Marketing Support– Gain access to the most sophisticated digital marketing and social media advertising strategies in the industry from our highly communicative and friendly support crew.

 

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Where is training held?

The official “Shuck U” campus is situated in our Wilmington, NC headquarters.

How long will it take before I see a return on my initial investment?

We can’t guarantee the same results, but our profitability summary can give you a better idea of what you may anticipate as a Shuckin’ Shack seafood restaurant franchise owner Owner.

SEE FRANCHISE PROFITABILITY SUMMARY

I live in a landlocked state. How the heck are you going to get fresh, sustainable seafood to my Shuckin’ Shack every day?

We’ve built a robust network of high-quality vendors with the ability to deliver responsibly-fished domestic seafood anywhere in the continental United States. Our dialed-in supply chain means that we are able to have ultimate control over the quality, freshness, and sustainability of our seafood, no matter where your Shuckin’ Shack franchise is located.

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What measures are you taking to preserve the quality and sustainability of the seafood you serve?

As a certified Ocean Friendly Establishment and a committed partner of the James Beard Foundation Smart Catch Program, Shuckin’ Shack has pledged to only serve seafood that has been sustainably sourced by our trusted network of vendors.

How can I be sure I’m serving domestic seafood that has been responsibly sourced?

We’re a tad obsessive when it comes to tracing the origins of our seafood. We don’t just know the type of fish we are serving our guests- we also know the body of water it was fished from, the name of the fishing boat, and in some cases, the name of the fishing boat captain!

How big is a typical Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar location?

There’s really no such thing as a “typical” location since no two franchise locations are exactly alike, but our locations range from 2,300- 3,500 square feet for full-service restaurants or QSR models, and 1,000 square feet for a food hall model. Because we are able to adapt to a variety of non-traditional locations, there is no specific number of tables or seats required. We’re really into flexibility!

How big of a franchise territory do I get?

If you’re worried about opening your Shuckin’ Shack franchise opportunity only to have a second one open across the street, you can relax. We typically offer a protected franchise territory of approximately 25,000-35,000 in population.

When did Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar start?

It feels like we’ve been shuckin’ forever, but our first location in Carolina Beach, NC opened in 2007, with one more corporate-owned location opening before we decided to turn this thing into a franchise for sale in 2014.

What are your core values?

Our core values are RISE (Respect, Integrity, Sustainability, Excellence).

What are the franchise royalties like?

Our royalties are 3.5% bi-weekly for the first year you’re open for business, 4.5% bi-weekly for Year 2, and 5.5% bi-weekly for Year 3 and beyond.

How many employees does each Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar have?

In total, your Shuckin’ Shack franchise location will need 23 employees, including a General Manager (which can be you if you’re planning to be an Owner-Operator), a front-of-house manager, a back-of-house manager, 10 servers/bartenders, and 10 kitchen staff.

I’m not ready to give up my day job. Can I own a franchise on a semi-absentee basis?

We offer both Owner-Operator and Semi-Absentee franchise ownership models. 

Our Owner-Operators put in about 65+ hours a week at their Shuckin’ Shack seafood restaurant franchises during their first year of business, and are responsible for the day-to-day operations, including:

  • Ordering ingredients/products
  • Scheduling employees
  • Hiring, managing, and developing staff members
  • Finance management
  • Building and fostering community relationships
  • Interacting with guests and being the “face of the business”

 

Owning a Shuckin’ Shack franchise on a semi-absentee basis entails about 25-30 hours at your location during your first year in business, with responsibilities that include:

  • Consistent contact with the General Manager
  • Walkthroughs to ensure the appearance and cleanliness of the restaurant
  • Regular financial and payroll audits
  • Overseeing marketing strategies
  • Implementing strategies to scale the business

Questions About Owning A Crab Franchise?

Opening an oyster bar franchise doesn’t have to be confusing

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Almost ready to get started with investing in owning your own oyster franchise? Let us answer any remaining questions you may have. Shuckin’ Shack offers all the support you need to have a successful business, a unique offering, community love and low national competition.

 
 
 
Take the first step in opening an OYSTER BAR franchise and learn more about what Shuckin’ Shack offers owners with our franchise information report. We’re confident you’ll find something that stands out from other opportunities.
Could your community use a good Shuckin’?
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