Established
2012
Franchise Units
1
Minimum Investment
$180,000
Franchise Fee
$30,000
Total Investment Range
$420,000
Home Based
No
Description
The Roll'n Lobster Franchise brings a modern, fast-casual twist to one of America’s most loved premium seafood offerings—lobster rolls. Built around freshness, flavor, and an elevated street-food experience, Roll'n Lobster blends East Coast seafood heritage with a contemporary, scalable restaurant model designed for today’s on-the-go consumers.
Known for its buttery lobster rolls, seafood baskets, and chef-inspired sauces, Roll'n Lobster positions itself at the intersection of premium seafood and fast-casual convenience. The brand appeals strongly to millennials, families, tourists, and seafood lovers seeking quality without the formality or high price point of traditional seafood restaurants. With a flexible footprint that can adapt to food trucks, kiosks, and brick-and-mortar locations, Roll'n Lobster is well-suited for high-traffic urban centers, beach towns, and growing suburban markets across the United States.
Why Invest in This Franchise?
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High-Demand Product Category – Lobster and premium seafood remain strong sellers with broad demographic appeal
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Fast-Casual Efficiency – Streamlined menu and operations reduce labor complexity and improve margins
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Strong Brand Differentiation – A focused lobster-centric menu sets Roll'n Lobster apart from generic seafood chains
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Flexible Formats – Suitable for food trucks, small inline units, or traditional storefronts
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Growing Consumer Trends – Capitalizes on premium comfort food, experiential dining, and social-media-driven discovery
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Scalable & Repeatable Model – Designed for multi-unit growth and territory development
Background
- Established Year: 2012
- Industry Category: Fast-Casual Seafood / Lobster Roll Restaurants
- Franchise Active Units: 1
Brand Journey:
Roll'n Lobster began as a passion project focused on delivering authentic lobster rolls with consistent quality and approachable pricing. Starting with a compact, high-impact format, the brand quickly gained local popularity for its bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and vibrant branding.Market Presence (USA): Active units across select states with expansion plans in urban and coastal markets
Ownership Model: Franchise-led growth with strong corporate support
As customer demand grew, Roll'n Lobster refined its menu, supply chain, and operating systems—laying the foundation for franchising. Today, the brand continues expanding its footprint across the U.S., targeting food-forward markets with strong tourism, nightlife, and disposable income demographics.
Support Training
Roll'n Lobster offers franchisees a comprehensive, end-to-end support system designed to simplify launch and accelerate success:
Pre-Launch Support
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Site selection and location evaluation
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Lease review guidance and footprint optimization
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Restaurant layout, equipment specifications, and build-out guidance
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Supplier onboarding and seafood sourcing assistance
Training Programs
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Hands-on operational training at a certified training location
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Food preparation, quality control, and safety standards
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POS systems, inventory management, and labor optimization
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Customer service excellence and brand culture immersion
Marketing & Brand Support
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Grand opening marketing strategy and launch campaigns
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Digital marketing playbooks (local SEO, social media, delivery apps)
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Creative assets, menu boards, and promotional materials
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Ongoing brand-level campaigns and seasonal promotions
Ongoing Support
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Field support visits and performance reviews
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Continuous menu innovation and product development
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Operational coaching and KPI tracking
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Franchisee peer network and best-practice sharing
Ideal Candidate
The Roll'n Lobster franchise is best suited for:
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Entrepreneurs & Owner-Operators passionate about food, hospitality, and guest experience
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Multi-Unit Operators looking to diversify into premium fast-casual seafood
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Restaurant & Food Truck Owners seeking a proven, differentiated concept
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Investors with strong operational partners in place
Preferred Traits:
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Business or restaurant management experience (preferred, not mandatory)
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Strong leadership and team-building skills
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Commitment to quality, cleanliness, and brand standards
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Ability to invest and scale within assigned territories
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Interest in high-traffic urban, tourist, or lifestyle-driven locations
Financial Detail
| Cost Category | Estimated Amount (USD) |
|---|---|
| Franchise Fee | $30,000 – $40,000 |
| Total Initial Investment | $180,000 – $420,000 |
| Minimum Liquid Capital Required | ~$150,000 |
| Leasehold Improvements / Build-Out | $60,000 – $160,000 |
| Kitchen Equipment & Fixtures | $30,000 – $90,000 |
| Furniture, Signage & Décor | $25,000 – $60,000 |
| Initial Inventory & Supplies | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Technology & POS Systems | $5,000 – $10,000 |
| Initial Marketing & Grand Opening | $10,000 – $20,000 |
| Training & Opening Support | Included in franchise fee |
| Working Capital (3–6 months) | $25,000 – $50,000 |
| Royalty Fee | 5% – 6% of Gross Sales |
| National / Brand Marketing Fund | 1% – 2% of Gross Sales |
| Estimated Break-Even Period | 18 – 30 months |
| Expected ROI | Competitive, based on location & operations |
