How much does a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise cost?

The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $266,600–$965,800, including a $40,000 initial franchise fee.

Is a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise worth it?

It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Cousins Maine Lobster scores D on disclosure honesty, carries about 8% of sales in ongoing fees. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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The real numbers on owning a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise

Food Service - Seafood Restaurant · FDD 2026 · from public state filings

DDisclosure honesty

This franchisor discloses earnings (Item 19) — but read how.

★★☆☆☆ FranchiseValidate transparency rating: 2/5

Investment

$266,600–$965,800

Total fees

8% of sales

Outlets

Closure signals

2 ceased, 2 terminated

Lawsuits

Is Cousins Maine Lobster worth it? How it compares to 93 similar franchises

Ongoing fees	8% of sales	lower than most (median 8%)
Startup cost	from $266,600	cheaper than most (median $452,050)
Disclosure honesty	Grade D	less honest than most of the category
Closure rate	100.0% of outlets	worse than 99% of peers
Disclosed lawsuits	0	fewer than most

Benchmarked against every quick service restaurants franchise we've graded from public FDDs — the context the franchisor's pitch never gives you.

What their own earnings claim actually says

Only 2 franchised units full-year 2025 data disclosed. Average annual gross sales $1,299,825. No net income/profit disclosed. Cherry-picked: excludes 2 units closed mid-year.

Honesty grade D: the disclosed numbers are incomplete or framed to look better than an owner's real take-home.

Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)

System declined 71% (7→2 units) in 3 years; 5 ceased/terminated since 2023.

Get the full Cousins Maine Lobster validation report — $149

The franchisor won't put real owner profit in writing. We do — reconstructed from their own FDD.

Franchisor's framing: Only 2 franchised units full-year 2025 data disclosed. Average annual gross sales $1,299,825. N…

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Decoded real failure / closure rate
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Cousins Maine Lobster franchise — frequently asked

How much does a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise cost?: The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $266,600–$965,800, including a $40,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do Cousins Maine Lobster franchise owners make?: Only 2 franchised units full-year 2025 data disclosed. Average annual gross sales $1,299,825. No net income/profit disclosed. Cherry-picked: excludes 2 units closed mid-year. We grade this disclosure D for honesty.
What is the Cousins Maine Lobster franchise failure rate?: System declined 71% (7→2 units) in 3 years; 5 ceased/terminated since 2023.
Is a Cousins Maine Lobster franchise worth it?: It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Cousins Maine Lobster scores D on disclosure honesty, carries about 8% of sales in ongoing fees. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.

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Compare Cousins Maine Lobster to similar franchises

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Source: WI DFI Franchise Registration (2026). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with Cousins Maine Lobster or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.