Shuckin Shack

Item 7 of the 2025 FDD pegs total initial investment at $456,750 to $1,401,420, covering build-out for a 3,000-5,000 sq ft space in high-traffic areas, plus $45,000 franchise fee. Ongoing fees include tiered royalties starting at 3.5% of gross sales (up to 5.5% for top performers), 1.5% brand fund, $500/month local marketing, $500/month POS, and $150/month tech fees—totaling around 6-8% of sales plus fixed costs. Item 19 shines brightly: average gross revenue hit $1,315,675 across units, with median at $1,141,949, suggesting strong top-line potential from full bars and seafood draws, though variability means not every location crushes it.

System health shows 16 franchise locations (plus 2 corporate) as of 2024, flat from 2023 (+0% growth), with just 5 projected new units amid 12 SBA loans averaging $253,583 and a low 8.3% default rate—better than many food concepts. Franchising since 2014 from Wilmington, NC, this brand has steady revenue per unit but lacks momentum, per FDD growth metrics, making it a high-risk/high-reward play for operators eyeing underserved seafood markets. If you thrive on operational intensity in casual dining, the numbers tempt; otherwise, the plateau might signal caution.