Shuckin’ Shack Casts a Wide Net for Continued Development and Growth in 2020

In less than five years, Shuckin’ Shack has gone from two local seafood “shacks” to nearly 20 locations. The brand has made its mark across four states—soon to be five—with average unit volumes coming in at over $1 million system wide. That’s a long way from humble beginnings in a 900-square-foot space in Carolina Beach, North Carolina. “It’s been a wild ride,” said Weathington, who anticipates even more growth going into 2020. 

Shuckin’ Shack isn’t your average oyster bar. The laid-back atmosphere of this fun-loving, full-service restaurant has set itself apart in the restaurant space with both consumers and franchisees alike. The brand’s 35-year-old CEO Jonathan Weathington understands the millennial appeal of the fresh and sustainable seafood-driven concept, and this ability to build out the brand to succeed in today’s restaurant industry has paid off.

The brand maintains its unique status in the industry and remains a prime opportunity for franchisees thanks to several key differentiators. In addition to being a leading emerging franchise opportunity, Shuckin’ Shack prides itself on efficiency and sustainability, franchisee-friendly lifestyle and economics and a wide variety of delicious menu offerings for lovers of good food, including seafood of course. 

By delivering an unmatched, high-quality seafood experience in a fun and relaxing environment, Shuckin’ Shack has solidified itself as a frontrunner in the communities it serves for all occasions. “We want to be the No. 1 choice for seafood in an authentic coastal environment,” said Weathington. “Furthermore, we want to continue to bring in exceptional franchisees who work hard, understand the brand and love serving others.”

The love between Shuckin’ Shack and its franchisees is mutual. These five franchisees have found their way to Shuckin’ Shack from various industries including construction, restaurant management, insurance, and more. One franchisee, restaurant industry veteran Sarah Lookingbill, even worked her way up from a bartending gig at the original Carolina Coast location.

All in all, 2020 could be a truly landmark year of expansion. Currently, Shuckin’ Shack has franchise opportunities available throughout the Southeast, Midwest and Northeast, as well as in other southern states, including Texas and Oklahoma. “We currently have openings in North and South Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Kentucky, Ohio, Virginia, West Virginia, Maryland, Pennsylvania and New Jersey,” said Weathington. 

Weathington has several goals for 2020, both in terms of expansion and increased support for existing franchisees. “We want to consistently open healthy locations,” said Weathington. “We hope to grow our comparative sales. Compared to 2018, we saw a 16% growth in sales. This year, while 16% is a big number, we'd love to hit double digits again.”

The startup costs for a Shuckin’ Shack franchise range from $234,200 to $541,350. The franchise fee is $37,500. To learn more about franchising with Shuckin’ Shack, visit https://www.shuckinshackfranchise.com/.