Shuckin' Shack

As a kid, Matt Piccinin and his family would travel from Canada to Carolina Beach, North Carolina to spend their vacations soaking up the sun and making memories together on the coast. He grew to love the town so much that he moved there on his own years later, completing a degree in business and marketing at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.

Meanwhile, Piccinin&rsquo;s friend Sean Cook owned Pleasure Island Rentals, a kayak, surfboard and other beach sundry rental company in the heart of downtown Carolina Beach. Piccinin and Cook felt what their sleepy town needed was its very own oyster bar with exceptional food. Cook kept a close eye on nearby high-traffic real estate, waiting for a prime spot to open. The friends had a dream to open their own low-key bar on the beach&mdash;but unlike most 26-year-olds, they&rsquo;d actually do it.

One day, a property just two storefronts down from Pleasure Island Rentals was put on the market. Piccinin and Cook scrounged together enough money and pounced. Both armed with an entrepreneurial spirit and backgrounds in construction, the two men and got to work. On nights and weekends, the buddies would grab a case of beer and invite their friends to hang out while they physically built their very own bar and restaurant.

&quot;We saw a need for an oyster bar in our town, and after a quick chat over a couple of beers, we decided that the Shuckin&rsquo; Shack would be born,&rdquo; said Piccinin. &ldquo;But it took more than a few cases of beer to come up with the final plan.&rdquo; In 2007, the first <a href="https://www.shuckinshackfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=shuckin-shack-oyster-bar-looks-to-bring-exceptional-seafood-and-authentic-coastal-vibes-to-new-locations-across-the-us-2709673" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">Shuckin&rsquo; Shack Oyster Bar</a> officially opened.

That first restaurant occupied just a small 900-foot space and offered a very simple menu. Piccinin and Cook quickly realized, however, that their niche oyster bar was becoming something bigger; something really special. The revenue per square foot was outstanding, but what really struck them was the tight-knit community that formed within those walls. Retirees and transplants that had moved to the area became friends and regulars, enjoying a laid-back social lifestyle that was previously unknown to them. Shuckin&rsquo; Shack had blossomed into a friendly home base where everybody knows your name.

After several summers of learning the ins and outs of running a small restaurant, Piccinin and Cook wanted to build more magical communities of people and spread the good vibes even further. They opened the second Shuckin&rsquo; Shack in historic downtown Wilmington, North Carolina, in November 2012. 

Jonathan Weathington first met the Shuckin&rsquo; Shack co-founders in 2007 after answering a Craiglist ad posted by Cook seeking a kayak instructor. The two hit it off quickly, and Weathington was soon promoted to general manager of Pleasure Island Rentals. With a construction background himself, Weathington helped build the Wilmington Shuckin&rsquo; Shack and watched it grow from its infancy to full-fledged success, surpassing the competition in the bustling area. 

In late 2013, Piccinin and Cook called Weathington and told him they were interested in expanding Shuckin&rsquo; Shack through franchising. They said they weren&rsquo;t able to make any long-term promises, but they could really use his help. At the time, Weathington was working at VF Corporation, but still valued that small business ethos&mdash;so he decided to scratch his own entrepreneurial itch and got on board. He had 14 years of experience in the service and retail industry, and with him named Vice President of Franchise Development, Shuckin&rsquo; Shack began franchising in 2014. 

&ldquo;Ever since the beginning, we&rsquo;ve been a dive bar that serves exceptional food,&rdquo; said Weathington, now CEO of Shuckin&rsquo; Shack. &ldquo;We&rsquo;ve grown and evolved over the years, but we&rsquo;ve always stuck to what works: incredible food, unparalleled service, and ice cold beer and cocktails.&rdquo;

Shuckin&rsquo; Shack has differentiated itself within the fast-casual segment with its small square footage requirement, low inventory and minimum waste, smaller staff sizes and maximum return on investment. The oyster bar is also uniquely positioned in the market as it has no direct national competition. 

What truly sets Shuckin&rsquo; Shack apart is its authentic approach to the coastal lifestyle. &ldquo;We like to have fun, but we&rsquo;re hardworking,&rdquo; said Weathington. &ldquo;We&rsquo;re not cheesy. We&rsquo;re authentic and true to who we are.&rdquo;

With 16 total restaurants, Shuckin Shack now boasts 13 franchised units across four states&mdash;soon to be five&mdash;and is gearing up for major growth across the country, including in areas people wouldn&rsquo;t expect to be able to order fresh seafood year-round. 

&ldquo;Coastal markets are our bread and butter, but our top performing stores are actually inland,&rdquo; explained Weathington. &ldquo;We have strategically targeted secondary inland markets where folks aren&rsquo;t quite used to getting such high-quality seafood there, and they&rsquo;re coming out in droves to check out what Shuckin&rsquo; Shack offers.&rdquo;

The Shuckin&rsquo; Shack franchise sees $1 million in average unit volume across the system. The oyster bar is currently looking to grow in key target markets across Columbus and Cincinnati, Ohio, as well as Columbia, South Carolina, Louisville, Kentucky and Nashville, Tennesee. The corporate team is currently focusing on Columbus development and will be traveling to the state capital in April.

&ldquo;I really enjoy being a part of the franchise. I have definitely come a long way,&rdquo; said Jason Thorpe, Shuckin&rsquo; Shack franchisee in Summerville, South Carolina, the currently highest-performing unit in the system. &ldquo;It&rsquo;s a lot of work, but it&rsquo;s the most rewarding experience, emotionally and financially, of my 20-year career in the restaurant industry.&rdquo;

Shuckin&rsquo; Shack is seeking qualified franchisees who prioritize good hospitality and want to be a part of its authentic mission. Start-up costs for a Shuckin&rsquo; Shack franchise range from $234,200 to $541,350 and include a $37,500 single-unit franchise fee. For more information on available franchise opportunities, visit <a href="https://www.shuckinshackfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=shuckin-shack-oyster-bar-looks-to-bring-exceptional-seafood-and-authentic-coastal-vibes-to-new-locations-across-the-us-2709673" target="_blank" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration:none" target="_blank">https://www.shuckinshackfranchise.com</a>.

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Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar Looks To Bring Exceptional Seafood and Authentic Coastal Vibes To New Locations Across the U.S.

1851 Franchise

With no direct national competition, the seafood franchise is poised for growth, bringing fresh oysters, high-quality cocktails and ‘A Good Shuckin’ Time’ from the beach inland.

This brand page has been paid for by SHUCKIN' SHACK. Content within this page that is paid will showcase a Sponsored icon. This means the brand has engaged 1851 FRANCHISE to write the content. Content without the Sponsored Icon is aggregated media placements the brand earned. Questions can be sent to editorial@1851franchise.com

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Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar Enters Q3 With 3 Openings on the Horizon, Growing Buzz Around Upcoming Fresh & Raw Tour

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WILMINGTON, N.C. –&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shuckinshackfranchise.com/">Shuckin’ Shack</a>, the 18-unit seafood restaurant franchise, is giving seafood lovers a legit reason to love Fridays this Spring. Fish Fry Fridays are back, a seasonal staple dishing up crispy, golden, crave-worthy fish in a laid-back, neighborhood-friendly setting.From February 20 through April 3, local Shuckin’ Shack locations are turning Fridays into a seafood celebration. Whether you’re unwinding after work, catching up with friends, or just chasing that perfect fry, each Shack delivers high-quality seafood you’ll want week after week.“Fish Fry Fridays are about kicking back, keeping it simple, and enjoying seafood the way it’s meant to be,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/darren-keeler-944728187/">Darren Keeler</a>, VP of Marketing and Creative. “We want our Shacks to be that local spot you know and love: amazing food, cold drinks, no fuss, just good vibes.”With each location adding its own local twist, Shuckin’ Shack’s Fish Fry Fridays let guests and communities bring their flavor to the table while staying true to the brand’s commitment to quality seafood and fun, welcoming energy.“People want comfort, consistency, and a reason to treat themselves at the end of the week,” Keeler added. “Fish Fry Fridays do just that. They give guests a ritual to look forward to and local owners a chance to show off what makes their Shack unique.”So, whether you’re grabbing a quick bite, a casual date, or a Friday night hangout, Shuckin’ Shack is making it easy to flip the weekend switch with a fried fish feast you won’t want to miss. Follow your local Shack on social media for weekly specials, menu surprises, and all the fishy goodness.To find a Shuckin’ Shack near you, visit:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theshuckinshack.com/">https://www.theshuckinshack.com/</a>ABOUT SHUCKIN’ SHACK:Offering a “lifestyle experience,” Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar creates an environment that encourages guests to grab a seat, relax and take their taste buds on a trip to the coast; after all, life is too short for bland drinks and boring bars! The original Carolina Beach, NC Shack, which was just 900-square-feet, was launched in 2007 with a plan to become the go-to local hangout for people of all ages. A place where friends and family can enjoy fresh, delicious meals, cold beer, and craft cocktails in an environment that exudes fun and relaxation, Shuckin’ Shack offers exceptional seafood and creative drinks that will make guests question why they ever settled for ordinary bar offerings.&nbsp;Thanks to its bold flavors and impeccable vibes, Shuckin’ Shack has continued to grow. In 2014, the brand began franchising and has since expanded to 18 units across six states. To learn more about Shuckin’ Shack, visit http://www.theshuckinshack.com.The cost to open a Shuckin’ Shack franchise ranges from $456,750 to $1,401,420. For more information visit: <a href="www.theshuckinshack.com">www.theshuckinshack.com</a>.&nbsp;

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WILMINGTON, N.C.&nbsp;—&nbsp;<a href="https://www.shuckinshackfranchise.com/">Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar</a> is once again proving that oysters, live music and giving back make a powerful combination. The 18-unit seafood restaurant franchise announced that its&nbsp;<a href="https://www.theshuckinshack.com/freshandrawtour">2025 Fresh &amp; Raw Tour</a> raised $72,539 for&nbsp;<a href="https://bloodcancerunited.org/">Blood Cancer United</a> (formerly the Leukemia &amp; Lymphoma Society), pushing the brand’s cumulative Fresh &amp; Raw Tour fundraising total to nearly $300,000 over four years.The Fresh &amp; Raw Tour has become a signature&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/shuckinshack/info">Shuckin’ Shack</a> initiative, transforming select Shack locations into high-energy community block parties featuring live music, raffles, ticketed events and limited-edition “Hey Cancer, Shuck Off!” apparel — all benefiting blood cancer research, patient services and advocacy.“To see The Fresh &amp; Raw Tour grow into something that has raised almost $300,000 is incredibly meaningful,” said Shuckin’ Shack CEO&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jweathington/">Jonathan Weathington</a>. “This cause hits close to home for so many of us, and supporting Blood Cancer United continues to be one of the most important things we do as a brand.”The mission behind the tour is personal to the franchise. Co-founder&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/matt-piccinin-5702ba96/">Matt Piccinin</a> is a leukemia survivor who continues regular monitoring, and several Franchise Partners have faced leukemia or lymphoma within their own families. Weathington has also lost close family members to cancer, making the mission behind the tour deeply meaningful.“This incredible team raised over $72,000 that will directly support patients and their families through research efforts, patient services and advocacy,” said&nbsp;<a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-mason-a9815920a">Jennifer Mason</a>, Campaign Development Manager for Blood Cancer United. “We truly appreciate everything that you do for us, year after year. We look forward to continuing the partnership.”The tour also continues to resonate deeply with guests whose lives have been personally affected by blood cancer. Ray Gaimara, who was diagnosed with stage 4 lymphoma in 2023, has attended Fresh &amp; Raw Tour events since that year.“It’s really near and dear to my heart,” Gaimara said. “It's amazing how much money is raised not only to help other families, but to find a cure. I have to fight this for the rest of my life, so if we can find a cure, I’m all for it. It’s amazing that Shuckin’ Shack puts on this event, and I love being here for it.”&nbsp;The 2025 Fresh &amp; Raw Tour featured a rotating lineup of Nashville-style singer-songwriters and performers with chart-topping credits and millions of streams, including Dan Alley, Sam Banks, Josiah Siska, Sammy Arriaga, Barrett Baber and Taylor Goyette. The tour included a mix of exclusive ticketed listening-room-style shows and free community concerts, creating a one-of-a-kind experience in each market.While the format may continue to evolve, Shuckin’ Shack has no plans to slow its commitment to the cause. “We want to continue to support Blood Cancer United, and we look forward to it very much,” Weathington said.ABOUT SHUCKIN’ SHACK:Offering a “lifestyle experience,” Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar creates an environment that encourages guests to grab a seat, relax and take their taste buds on a trip to the coast; after all, life is too short for bland drinks and boring bars! The original Carolina Beach, N.C. Shack, which was just 900 square feet, was launched in 2007 with a plan to become the go-to local hangout for people of all ages. A place where friends and family can enjoy fresh, delicious meals, cold beer and craft cocktails in an environment that exudes fun and relaxation, Shuckin’ Shack offers exceptional seafood and creative drinks that will make guests question why they ever settled for ordinary bar offerings.&nbsp;Thanks to its bold flavors and impeccable vibes, Shuckin’ Shack has continued to grow. In 2014, the brand began franchising and has since expanded to 18 units across six states. To learn more about Shuckin’ Shack, visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.theshuckinshack.com">http://www.theshuckinshack.com</a>.&nbsp;The cost to open a Shuckin’ Shack franchise ranges from $456,750 to $1,401,420. For more information visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.theshuckinshack.com">www.theshuckinshack.com</a>.&nbsp;

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Photo of Shuckin' Shack team member handing drinks to guests

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Photo of Shuckin' Shack team gathered in a room for the brand's State of the Union

Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar Franchise Partners Unite for Annual Conference Focused on Innovation, Growth, and Giving Back

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Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar Looks To Bring Exceptional Seafood and Authentic Coastal Vibes To New Locations Across the U.S.

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