LAST UPDATED: June 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://shuckinshackfranchise.com/
1851 GROWTH CLUB WEBSITE: https://1851franchise.com/growth-club/shuckin-shack-franchise-business
1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/shuckinshack
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 19
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $500,000 - $1,500,000
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $1,656,918 (average gross sales for all restaurants over 2,000 square feet, open seven days per week for lunch and dinner, in 2025)
Shuckin’ Shack is a casual, coastal-themed oyster bar franchise that emphasizes a community-focused approach and authentic, welcoming atmosphere. The brand’s sustainable sourcing practices mean franchise partners have access to higher-quality ingredients that ultimately provide a higher-quality guest experience.
Shuckin’ Shack was founded in Carolina Beach, North Carolina in 2007 after Matt Piccinin and Sean Cook identified unmet demand for oyster bars. They opened the first Shuckin’ Shack as a 900-square-foot establishment with domestic seafood, cold beer and a laid-back atmosphere.
Mission: To provide a great seafood restaurant experience for everyone involved, ranging from the guest to the Franchise Partner.
Vision: Establish local, laid-back establishments across the country that appeal to people and families and offer a go-to spot to enjoy fresh, delicious meals.
Shuckin’ Shack is targeting growth in key markets with an emphasis on the eastern United States.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Shuckin’ Shack franchise ranges from $500,000 to $1,500,000. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Training & Opening Fee | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Construction & Leasehold Improvements | $232,000 | $805,893 |
| Lease Deposits & Rent (3 Months) | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $103,000 | $332,353 |
| Signage | $1,400 | $21,954 |
| Computer, Software & Point of Sales System | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $6,000 | $16,800 |
| Initial Inventory | $16,000 | $17,500 |
| Utility Deposits, Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $3,000 | $40,000 |
| Insurance Deposits (3 Months) | $800 | $9,000 |
| Travel for Initial Training | $3,000 | $9,000 |
| Professional Fees | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Licenses & Permits | $1,800 | $30,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $60,000 | $120,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $45,000. Honorably discharged veterans qualified under the VetFran program receive a 10% discount.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Shuckin’ Shack Franchise Partners are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | Year 1: 3.5% of gross sales/two weeks Year 2: 4.5% of gross sales/two weeks Year 3+: 5.5% of gross sales/two weeks |
| Brand Development Fund | 1.5% of gross sales/two weeks |
| Franchise Partner Directed Local Marketing | Minimum of $500/month |
| POS System | $500/month |
| Technology | $75/two weeks |
| Local & Regional Advertising Cooperatives | Up to 1% of gross sales with exact amounts determined by cooperative members |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, Shuckin’ Shack’s locations that were both over 2,000 square feet and open every day for lunch and dinner reported the following gross sales data:
| Year | Average | Median | High | Low |
| 2023 | $1,691,407 | $1,493,080 | $2,655,395 | $1,086,438 |
| 2024 | $1,683,568 | $1,537,373 | $2,508,119 | $1,064,157 |
| 2025 | $1,656,918 | $1,580,332 | $2,551,214 | $921,436 |
Shuckin’ Shack provides over 140 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction through its “Shuck U!” training program.
Franchise Partners receive ongoing support through their grand opening and beyond, covering things like site selection, build-out, design and strategy.
Shuckin’ Shack uses digital marketing and social media advertising to build brand awareness and support Franchise Partners’ continued growth.
Shuckin’ Shack Franchise Partners are not required to have prior restaurant or hospitality experience. Rather, the leadership team is interested in entrepreneurs who have business management skills, are committed to their communities and hope to make a positive difference.
Shuckin’ Shack allows for two primary forms of partnership: Owner-Operator and Semi-Absentee.
Owner-Operators should plan to commit 65 or more hours per week to their restaurants during their first year of business. They are responsible for day-to-day tasks like ordering ingredients, scheduling, hiring, financial management and being the face of the business.
Semi-Absentee owners should plan to commit 25 to 30 hours per week to their restaurants during their first year of business. Their responsibilities include consistent contact with a General Manager, regular financial audits and overseeing marketing strategies.
Shuckin’ Shack has partnered with Benetrends Financial to support its Franchise Partners.
- Jason Simas, Shuckin’ Shack of Surf City, North Carolina, and Mike Lookingbill, Shuckin’ Shack of Leland, North Carolina
Seafood restaurants continue to benefit from growing consumer demand for high-protein meals, premium dining experiences and off-premise convenience. The U.S. seafood market is projected to grow steadily through the end of the decade, with industry forecasts estimating the market will surpass $26 billion by 2031. Operators are also seeing momentum around seafood appetizers, globally inspired menu items and value-driven takeout offerings as consumers continue prioritizing restaurant spending despite broader economic pressure. Across the restaurant industry, off-premise dining remains a major driver, with takeout now accounting for roughly 75% of restaurant traffic nationwide.
Shuckin’ Shack’s primary competitors include Joe’s Crab Shack and The Juicy Crab. However, Shuckin’ Shack holds a unique spot in this market, standing out above fast-food seafood concepts with higher food quality and offering a more casual dining experience than white-tablecloth seafood restaurants.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
Franchisor Stories
Franchise Opportunity Deep Dive: The seafood franchise offers a unique, community-focused opportunity with high potential for growth and unmatched Franchise Partner support.
LAST UPDATED: June 2026
FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://shuckinshackfranchise.com/
1851 GROWTH CLUB WEBSITE: https://1851franchise.com/growth-club/shuckin-shack-franchise-business
1851 NEWSROOM: https://1851franchise.com/shuckinshack
NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 19
REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $500,000 - $1,500,000
REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $1,656,918 (average gross sales for all restaurants over 2,000 square feet, open seven days per week for lunch and dinner, in 2025)
Shuckin’ Shack is a casual, coastal-themed oyster bar franchise that emphasizes a community-focused approach and authentic, welcoming atmosphere. The brand’s sustainable sourcing practices mean franchise partners have access to higher-quality ingredients that ultimately provide a higher-quality guest experience.
Shuckin’ Shack was founded in Carolina Beach, North Carolina in 2007 after Matt Piccinin and Sean Cook identified unmet demand for oyster bars. They opened the first Shuckin’ Shack as a 900-square-foot establishment with domestic seafood, cold beer and a laid-back atmosphere.
Mission: To provide a great seafood restaurant experience for everyone involved, ranging from the guest to the Franchise Partner.
Vision: Establish local, laid-back establishments across the country that appeal to people and families and offer a go-to spot to enjoy fresh, delicious meals.
Shuckin’ Shack is targeting growth in key markets with an emphasis on the eastern United States.
Initial Costs: The estimated initial investment required to begin operation of a Shuckin’ Shack franchise ranges from $500,000 to $1,500,000. The 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) breaks these costs down as follows:
| Type of Expenditure | Min | Max |
| Initial Franchise Fee | $45,000 | $45,000 |
| Training & Opening Fee | $15,000 | $15,000 |
| Construction & Leasehold Improvements | $232,000 | $805,893 |
| Lease Deposits & Rent (3 Months) | $10,000 | $30,000 |
| Furniture, Fixtures & Equipment | $103,000 | $332,353 |
| Signage | $1,400 | $21,954 |
| Computer, Software & Point of Sales System | $2,000 | $5,000 |
| Grand Opening Marketing | $6,000 | $16,800 |
| Initial Inventory | $16,000 | $17,500 |
| Utility Deposits, Miscellaneous Opening Costs | $3,000 | $40,000 |
| Insurance Deposits (3 Months) | $800 | $9,000 |
| Travel for Initial Training | $3,000 | $9,000 |
| Professional Fees | $1,000 | $2,500 |
| Licenses & Permits | $1,800 | $30,000 |
| Additional Funds (3 Months) | $60,000 | $120,000 |
Initial Franchise Fee: The initial franchise fee is $45,000. Honorably discharged veterans qualified under the VetFran program receive a 10% discount.
Ongoing Fees: According to the 2026 FDD, Shuckin’ Shack Franchise Partners are responsible for the following ongoing payments and fees:
| Type of Fee | Amount |
| Royalty | Year 1: 3.5% of gross sales/two weeks Year 2: 4.5% of gross sales/two weeks Year 3+: 5.5% of gross sales/two weeks |
| Brand Development Fund | 1.5% of gross sales/two weeks |
| Franchise Partner Directed Local Marketing | Minimum of $500/month |
| POS System | $500/month |
| Technology | $75/two weeks |
| Local & Regional Advertising Cooperatives | Up to 1% of gross sales with exact amounts determined by cooperative members |
ROI Potential: According to the 2026 FDD, Shuckin’ Shack’s locations that were both over 2,000 square feet and open every day for lunch and dinner reported the following gross sales data:
| Year | Average | Median | High | Low |
| 2023 | $1,691,407 | $1,493,080 | $2,655,395 | $1,086,438 |
| 2024 | $1,683,568 | $1,537,373 | $2,508,119 | $1,064,157 |
| 2025 | $1,656,918 | $1,580,332 | $2,551,214 | $921,436 |
Shuckin’ Shack provides over 140 hours of classroom and hands-on instruction through its “Shuck U!” training program.
Franchise Partners receive ongoing support through their grand opening and beyond, covering things like site selection, build-out, design and strategy.
Shuckin’ Shack uses digital marketing and social media advertising to build brand awareness and support Franchise Partners’ continued growth.
Shuckin’ Shack Franchise Partners are not required to have prior restaurant or hospitality experience. Rather, the leadership team is interested in entrepreneurs who have business management skills, are committed to their communities and hope to make a positive difference.
Shuckin’ Shack allows for two primary forms of partnership: Owner-Operator and Semi-Absentee.
Owner-Operators should plan to commit 65 or more hours per week to their restaurants during their first year of business. They are responsible for day-to-day tasks like ordering ingredients, scheduling, hiring, financial management and being the face of the business.
Semi-Absentee owners should plan to commit 25 to 30 hours per week to their restaurants during their first year of business. Their responsibilities include consistent contact with a General Manager, regular financial audits and overseeing marketing strategies.
Shuckin’ Shack has partnered with Benetrends Financial to support its Franchise Partners.
- Jason Simas, Shuckin’ Shack of Surf City, North Carolina, and Mike Lookingbill, Shuckin’ Shack of Leland, North Carolina
Seafood restaurants continue to benefit from growing consumer demand for high-protein meals, premium dining experiences and off-premise convenience. The U.S. seafood market is projected to grow steadily through the end of the decade, with industry forecasts estimating the market will surpass $26 billion by 2031. Operators are also seeing momentum around seafood appetizers, globally inspired menu items and value-driven takeout offerings as consumers continue prioritizing restaurant spending despite broader economic pressure. Across the restaurant industry, off-premise dining remains a major driver, with takeout now accounting for roughly 75% of restaurant traffic nationwide.
Shuckin’ Shack’s primary competitors include Joe’s Crab Shack and The Juicy Crab. However, Shuckin’ Shack holds a unique spot in this market, standing out above fast-food seafood concepts with higher food quality and offering a more casual dining experience than white-tablecloth seafood restaurants.
Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.
Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.
Disclaimer: This content is for information only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
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