How Much Does a Cousins Maine Lobster Franchise Cost?
Data from the 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document
Investment Summary
Total Investment
$267K – $969K
Franchise Fee
$40K
Royalty
the greater of 6% of your Gross Sales or $3,500 per month
Ad Fund
2.0%
Cost Breakdown
Initial Franchise Fee
The initial franchise fee for Cousins Maine Lobster is $40K. This one-time payment covers the right to operate under the brand, access to proprietary systems, and initial training programs.
Total Investment Range
Opening a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise requires a total investment of $267K – $969K. This range typically includes real estate or leasehold improvements, equipment and fixtures, initial inventory, signage, insurance, and working capital to sustain operations during the ramp-up period.
Working capital alone ranges from $50K to $75K.
Ongoing Costs
Beyond the initial investment, Cousins Maine Lobster franchisees pay ongoing fees. The royalty structure is: the greater of 6% of your Gross Sales or $3,500 per month. The advertising or brand fund contribution is 2.0% of gross sales. There is also a technology fee of $250.
Net Worth & Liquid Capital Requirements
Cousins Maine Lobster requires working capital of $50K – $75K to cover initial operating expenses. This is the liquid cash you should have available beyond the franchise fee and buildout costs.
What Can You Earn?
According to Cousins Maine Lobster's Item 19 financial performance representation:
Median gross sales: $636K
This figure comes from Item 19 of the FDD. Gross sales are not the same as take-home profit. After deducting royalties, ad fund fees, rent, labor, and COGS, net income is typically a fraction of gross revenue.
How Do Banks View Cousins Maine Lobster?
SBA Loans Issued
8
Default Rate
25.0%
The SBA (Small Business Administration) tracks loan performance for franchise brands. Cousins Maine Lobster has 8 SBA-backed loans on record. The default rate is 25.0%, which is near the franchise industry average. A lower default rate generally indicates that lenders view the franchise as a safer investment, though past performance does not guarantee future results.
Next Steps
Talk to current Cousins Maine Lobster franchise owners
Get verified franchisee phone numbers for due diligence
See full Cousins Maine Lobster research
Risk analysis, unit growth, contract terms, and more
Compare Cousins Maine Lobster to similar franchises
Side-by-side investment, revenue, and risk comparison