Do you want to start a seafood business by buying a franchise? If YES, here are 14 best seafood restaurant franchise opportunities for sale and their cost. Your chances of success in business are higher when you franchise in lieu of doing everything yourself. If you are thinking about opening a seafood business, you would be wise to investigate whether purchasing a franchise might help you avoid common entrepreneurial mistakes. Properly explained below are the top franchises you can consider when looking to start a seafood business in the United States.
14 Best Seafood Business Franchise Opportunities for Sale and Their Cost
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Quaker Steak & Lube®
As one of the most brand differentiated restaurants in casual family dining, Quaker Steak & Lube®, has been a successful concept for over 40 years. The unique motor sports themed décor, including race cars suspended from the ceilings, motorcycles, Corvettes, and gas station memorabilia, combined with the enticing food and high-octane events has created a cult-like following for The Lube®.
The original restaurant was built in an abandoned gas station in Sharon, PA in 1974. Quaker Steak & Lube® has grown to 50 locations throughout the United States with an aggressive expansion plan under way.
Financial Requirements
- Cash Requirement!: $500,000 – $1,000,000
- Franchise Fee: $40,000
- Total Investment: $473,500 – $4,110,000
- Royalty Fee: 5%
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Happy’s Pizza
At happy’s pizza, the food is amazing and the prices are unbeatable. The pizza is second to none, but the restaurant’s incredibly diverse menu featuring smoked ribs, barbecued chicken and seafood sets them apart. Restaurant franchising is a $60 billion a year industry and pizza accounts for one half of all Quick Service restaurant sales. Add to that, ribs, chicken and seafood and the company have got something for everyone in the family any day of the week.
Financial Requirements
- Cash Requirement: $50,000
- Net Worth: $300,000
- Franchise Fee: $25,000
- Total Investment: $295,880 – $445,000
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Captain D’s
Known as a chain of fast casual seafood restaurants specializing in seafood whose menu also includes salads and sandwiches, appetizers, desserts and other. The company was founded in 1969 and is based in Nashville, Tennessee. Captain D’s also provides franchise opportunities. As of 2018, the company operates 227 franchises in the United States.
Financial Requirements
- Total Investment: $781,000 – $1,113,000
- Net-worth: $1,000,000
- Cash Requirement: $350,000
- Franchise Fee: $35,000
- Royalty Fee: 4.5%
- Ad Royalty Fee: 1.1%
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LemonShark Poke
LemonShark is a restaurant that serves locally sourced and crafted Poké. According to the company, passion is their most important ingredient as they bring you the beauty of raw fish flavors in every bite. LemonShark Poké is confident about the quality of food they serve and are gratified to share the details with franchisees.
All their Tuna is Line Caught by hand from the Pacific Ocean and is rated #1 USA Sashimi Grade. The standards and specs of the company’s Tuna exceed USFDA standards and are triple graded – on boat, at port, and at facility.
This can only be done if tuna is processed fresh. The company is known as the fastest growing Poké concept in America with over 20 sold in the past 3 months alone. They utilize Comprehensive Operations and Proprietary Training Materials, and Strategies.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $300,000
- Net-worth: $1,200,000
- Liquid Cash Requirement: $70,000
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Cousins Maine Lobster
Nationally recognized and winners of numerous awards and accolades, Cousins Maine Lobster serves wild caught, sustainably harvested, 100% premium lobster from the finest waters in the world – the coast of Maine. A Cousins Maine Lobster franchise represents a low start up cost, low overhead business opportunity in both mobile food service and brick & mortar storefronts that will give you the greatest ability to maximize profits compared to other fast casual food opportunities.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $145,900 to $786,700
- Net-Worth: $200,000
- Cash Requirement: $100,000
- Total Investment: $145,900 to $786,700
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DJ’s Clam Shack
Founded in 2009, The DJ’s Clam Shack franchise offers a simple, fast casual food service concept. It is designed to provide great food to each guest in a fun, family-friendly environment. There is great flavor, aroma, and a truly unique experience for each guest in every restaurant. Each unit offers dine-in or carryout services for the entire menu. D.J.’s Clam Shack is now a franchise and is attracting all the right interested buyers.
D.J.’s Clam Shack will adapt well in the franchise market place and it has the potential to expand rapidly. When training is established, the model is easy to replicate and a franchisee could begin making substantial profits within the first year. Since inception, the Clam Shack brand saw its ability to expand in the southern regions, then shifted its focus when it gained national recognition from reputable media outlets. D.J.’s Clam Shack has simple systems in place and an experienced team with decades of experience to grow your franchise to the same level of profitability.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $337,800
- Cash Requirement: $100,000
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Mahana Poké
This restaurant offer the freshest ingredients served in a tropical and relaxed yet refined atmosphere. Guests can choose between poke bowls or rolls. Every ingredient is cross utilized to create a broad menu that appeals to everyone yet is efficient for the owner and staff to run. Guests can come alone and make friends or come with a group and make it a party. Mahana was born from the love the founders, John and Dave, have for people and great food.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $199,000 – $490,000
- Net-Worth: $500,000
- Cash Requirement: $100,000
- Total Investment: $199,000 – $490,000
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Mason’s Famous Lobster RollsTM
From the ground up, Mason’s is designed with simplicity at the company’s core. No bells, no whistles, no pretension, just fresh lobster prepared lovingly with simple ingredients, Maine style. Until the lobster roll shop became prevalent, lobster aficionados had to go to a full service restaurant (like Red Lobster) and sit down with a bib, a nutcracker, and a small fork or pick to access the meat.
Also consumers don’t like or don’t know how to cook lobster at home which enhances the appeal of a lobster roll shop. Note that the lobster roll shop phenomenon is making this this aspirational menu item widely available and easily accessible to seafood lovers throughout the U.S. and lobster is no longer the exclusive province of full service restaurants, or just New Englanders.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $25,000
- Total Investment: $168,600 – $293,150
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Sherri’s Crab Cakes
The company is known throughout the Eastern United States for their excellent fresh Crab Cakes, clean organized stands and friendly team. Since it’s start in 1996, Sherri’s has sold over 1,000,000 Crab Cakes. This company offer Sherri’s Crab Cakes franchises in markets where they are approved to sell franchises.
With a Sherri’s Crab Cakes franchise, you will hit the ground running! Based on the company’s 23 years’ experience, they have built a system which makes running a Sherri’s franchise simple and fun. And they promise they will be there with you to help along the way. So you hit the ground running instead of stumbling through a learning curve on your own.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $9,500
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Slapfish
Founded by celebrity chef Andrew Gruel, Slapfish is a classic and sustainable American Seafood Franchise. Slapfish has made healthy, chef-driven seafood approachable & affordable for the masses, with signature items that include the ‘lobsticle’, baja mahi sandwich and house-made, original dipping sauces.
Slapfish is leading a seafood franchise revolution, with chef-crafted sustainable seafood in a fast casual format. Slapfish takes the fine dining mantra and puts it into a fast casual model. It was designed so that anyone can step in and run a seafood business.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $447,600 – $757,650
- Net-Worth: $500,000
- Cash Requirement: $250,000
- Total Investment: $447,600 – $757,650
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The Poké Company
Poké (pronounced poh-KAY) is a mix of raw cubed seafood in a soy-based marinade coupled with vegetables such as seaweed, avocado, edamame, and cucumber served over a bed of grains or greens. It’s simple, healthy and no-nonsense food.
In owning a Poké Company franchise, you have the chance to get in on a popular and contemporary fast-casual dining concept ahead of the curve. It’s simply means getting in at a low cost, with an avid consumer base ready to help you reach a rapid return on your investment. Note that access to the company’s operations manual will eliminate any operating concerns that you may have as well as keep you up-to-date on all their best practices.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $280,009 – $365,046
- Net-Worth: $24,900
- Cash Requirement: $24,900
- Total Investment: $280,009 – $365,046
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The Thirsty Turtle
The Thirsty Turtle is renowned as a family-owned restaurant that caters to both local and seasonal guests, serving only the freshest seafood and the best wings in South Florida. Each unit offers dine-in or carryout services. The Thirsty Turtle has carved out a niche designed to provide great food to customers in a fun, family-friendly environment.
After pleasing customers for 20 years in Juno Beach, Florida and 13 in Port Saint Lucie, the company’s industry experience has helped them create a perfect business model they are now excited to share with future franchisees. The company is welcoming high quality individuals to take advantage of it’s low start up costs and join it’s proven method of success.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $310,750
- Total Investment: $310,750 – $497,500
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Virgola wine bar
Founded in Manhattan in 2013, Virgola is an elegant Italian wine bar that features an exclusively Italian wine list. Virgola offers a distinct menu of fresh, raw oysters, ceviche, crudo and caviar as well as imported Italian cheeses, cured meats & salads in a elegant, stylish and comfortable setting. Formally one of Greenwich Village’s best kept secrets, Virgola’s success has led Mr. Marazzo to franchise the Virgola – Oysters & Italian Wine Bar concept nationwide.
Now with locations in NY, NC, FL, WI and OK, this is a great time to get in at the ground floor of what is becoming a national brand. If you’re interested in buying a franchise but are tired of seeing all of the same old cookie-cutter franchise concepts, Virgola might be a great fit for you. This is the most unique and elegant franchise in the entire industry.
Financial Requirements
- Initial Investment: $154,600 – $241,500
- Cash Requirement: $35,000 – $50,000
- Total Investment: $154,600 – $241,500
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Ginger Sushi + Poke Shop
These shops serves fresh, soul-stimulating sushi, sashimi, poke bowls, and other Japanese delicacies in a boutique restaurant space featuring contemporary, zen-style design. Diners may eat in the restaurant or opt for take out. This boutique Asian food brand is ideal for business owners and investors with restaurant or hospitality experience.
Financial Requirements
- Cash Requirement: $120,000
- Net Worth: $350,000
- Total Investment: $273,600 – $387,700
- Franchise Fee: $30,000