Shuckin Shack
Shuckin Shack Franchising LLC · reviewed 2026 disclosure data
Researching Shuckin Shack franchise opportunities? Every figure below is cited to the FDD.
Shuckin' Shack franchise specializes in fresh oysters, seafood, and casual waterfront-style dining with a focus on creating a laid-back coastal atmosphere.
Headline figures
Shuckin Shack quick facts
- Is Shuckin Shack a franchise?
- Yes. Shuckin Shack offers franchises through a Franchise Disclosure Document. At the end of 2025, it reported 16 franchised and 2 company-owned outlets (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 61).
- How much does it cost to open a Shuckin Shack franchise?
- The Shuckin Shack Franchise Disclosure Document reports an estimated initial investment of $500,000–$1,500,000 (2026 FDD, Item 7, PDF p. 19). This is the franchisor's disclosed estimate, not a quote. Details
- What is the Shuckin Shack initial franchise fee?
- The disclosed initial franchise fee for a standard single unit is $15,000 (2026 FDD, Item 5, PDF p. 12). Other fee options (for example multi-unit or conversion) are listed separately in the report. Details
- What ongoing fees does Shuckin Shack charge?
- The disclosed ongoing royalty is 3.5% · Percentage of Gross Sales; 3.5% first calendar year, 4.5% second calendar year, 5.5% third and subsequent calendar years (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 13). The brand or advertising fund contribution is 1.5% · Percentage of Gross Sales; currently 1.5%, up to 2.5% (2026 FDD, Item 6, PDF p. 13). Other recurring fees are listed in Item 6. Details
- Does Shuckin Shack disclose financial performance (Item 19)?
- Yes. The Shuckin Shack FDD includes an Item 19 financial performance representation (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 57). Figures apply only to the locations and period each one covers. Details
- How much revenue does a Shuckin Shack franchise make?
- The Shuckin Shack FDD reports a mean gross sales of $1,360,886 for 14 franchised locations, All Operational Franchise Outlets (2025 calendar year) (2026 FDD, Item 19, PDF p. 57). This figure covers only that group and period; it is not a projection, and it is not profit or owner income.
- How many Shuckin Shack locations are there?
- The FDD reports 18 outlets at the end of 2025 (2026 FDD, Item 20, PDF p. 61). Existing locations do not indicate territory availability. Details
- Is Shuckin Shack a good franchise to buy?
- Franopolis does not rate or recommend franchises. From the reviewed FDD: Item 19 includes financial performance figures; check which locations and period they cover; Item 20 lists outlet openings, closures and transfers; Item 6 includes a brand or advertising fund contribution on top of royalty; Item 20 also lists current and former franchisees you can contact. Review the full FDD with a franchise attorney and accountant before deciding.
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
What the disclosures show
- 1Opening costs are estimated at $500,000 – $1,500,000 in the 2026 FDD (Item 7); several initial fee options apply.
- 2Item 19 covers 2 separate groups: revenue for 14 franchised locations; revenue for 16 franchised locations. They are not combined.
- 3Outlets held steady in 2025, to 18 (Systemwide, as labeled in the FDD, Item 20).
From reviewed FDD figures only. Not a recommendation or projection.
Shuckin Shack head-to-head
Closest peers in the same subcategory, side by side from reviewed FDD figures. Not a ranking or recommendation.
Costs · Items 5–7
What does it cost to open?
Estimated opening costs and the fees payable to the franchisor.
Startup Investment — Item 7
Total estimated initial investment
2026 FDD · Item 7 · PDF p. 19
Formats disclosed in Item 7 (2)
Each format has its own total. The total depends on the format you choose; multi-unit packages are listed but not included in the headline range.
- Total EstimatePDF p. 19$500,000 – $1,500,000
- Total Estimate with 1-3 Multi-Franchise AddendumMulti-unitPDF p. 22$595,000 – $1,595,000
Standard single-unit franchise fee
2026 FDD · Item 5 · PDF p. 12
Discounted and multi-unit options are separate; see all fees.
Ongoing Fees — Item 6
Selected recurring charges; payment bases and conditions remain attached to each fee.
- RoyaltyMain ongoing fee
23 reported fees, each with its payment basis, are listed below; they haven't been sorted into recurring, initial and occasional groups yet.
Financial Performance — Item 19
What results are disclosed—and for which locations?
Two separate populations, not a revenue-and-profit comparison. Revenue is not owner income.
Franchised locations
Revenue · 14 locations
- Who is counted
- All Operational Franchise Outlets
- Period
- 2023 calendar year
- Excluded
- Excludes one Franchise Outlet closed for a portion of 2023; excludes New Franchise Outlets
- Method
- Data based on financial information reported by franchisees; historical financial data; not audited
Franchised locations
Revenue · 16 locations
- Who is counted
- All Operational Franchise Outlets
- Period
- 2024 calendar year
- Excluded
- Excludes New Franchise Outlets
- Method
- Data based on financial information reported by franchisees; historical financial data; not audited
These groups are never combined.
Outlet Changes — Item 20
How has the outlet count changed?
Systemwide, as labeled in the FDD · counts as of year end of each year.
2026 FDD · Item 20 · PDF p. 61
Net +0 outlets, 2023–2025
Year-end counts reported in Item 20. The scale starts at zero, so the line looks nearly flat; the labels between the dots show each year's change. Openings and closures for 2025 haven't been pulled from the Item 20 tables yet, so no turnover or churn is shown.
Questions to investigate
Prompts based on what this brand's reviewed disclosures do and don't show — not conclusions. Join free as a member to save questions to your research.
For the franchisor
Which line items in the 2026 Item 7 estimate ($500,000 – $1,500,000) vary most by market, and why?
Which initial fee option would apply to my situation, and what conditions or discounts affect it?
Which locations are included in the Item 19 figures, and which were excluded?
Reported units went from 18 to 18 in 2025. How many new units opened, closed or changed hands?
Is a territory available in my area, and how is it defined in my agreement?
For current and former owners
How did your actual startup costs and timeline compare with the Item 7 estimate?
How many hours a week do you work in the business, and in what role?
How do your results compare with the Item 19 figures, and what explains the difference?
What support from the franchisor has been most and least useful?
For your advisors
Ask a franchise attorney to review the territory, renewal, transfer and termination terms.
Ask an accountant to build a cash-flow plan using your own assumptions, not the franchisor's.
Sources & vintage history
Every displayed fact is retained with its disclosure vintage, item, page, and reviewed status. Prior vintages remain on file rather than being overwritten.
Citations (2026 FDD)
- [1]Estimated initial investment — Item 7 · PDF p. 19
- [2]Standard initial franchise fee — Item 5 · PDF p. 12
- [3]Item 19 — Franchised (14 locations) — revenue · PDF p. 57
- [4]Item 19 — Franchised (16 locations) — revenue · PDF p. 57
- [5]Outlet counts — Item 20, Table 1 · PDF p. 61
"PDF p." is the page in the PDF file; "printed p." is the number printed on the FDD page. Source document: FDD
Territory & operations
21 addresses in Franopolis's imported location list. Coverage may differ from Item 20 outlet counts.
These are contract disclosures, not confirmation that any territory is currently available.
Legal & agreement
Bankruptcy disclosed
Initial term
Franchisor financial statements
No verified franchisor financial statement figures have been reviewed yet.
SBA-backed loans to franchisees
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Source: U.S. Small Business Administration 7(a) & 504 FOIA data. Loan volume is not a measure of franchisee success.
Related research
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Donatos PizzaHead-to-head comparisons
At a glance
Business history
Owner participation
Territory language
Litigation disclosure
Not reviewed
Bankruptcy disclosure
Agreement term
Reader notes on wording
Our automated check found that these summaries may not match the FDD's exact wording. Read the FDD excerpt itself; it is the authoritative text. Core cost, fee, Item 19 and outlet figures are not affected.
Item 1 · PDF p. 8 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Business description: Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar restaurant franchise system featuring fresh seafood, sandwiches, salads, beverages and full-service bar services for on-premises dining, carryout, catering and delivery.
“We license a system (the “System”) for the development and operation of a Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar restaurant ... that serves a menu of fresh seafood including oysters, clams and other shellfish, sandwiches, salads, and beverages that may include alcohol and other menu items for on-premises dining, carryout, catering and delivery”
Note: Source describes beverages that may include alcohol, not full-service bar services.
Item 11 · PDF p. 32 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Initial training location: Wilmington, North Carolina or another location designated by the franchisor; Phase 2 is virtual and Phase 4 is at the franchisee’s restaurant
“The training program takes place over an approximate three week period ... at our training facility located in Wilmington, North Carolina or other location designated by us”
Note: Provided source does not state the initial training locations or phase locations.
Item 14 · PDF p. 44 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Proprietary information: Operations Manual, System information, proprietary products, marketing systems, training, confidential methods, recipes, and Know-How
“The Operations Manual contain information about our System, Approved Services and Products, System Supplies, proprietary products, marketing systems, training, and confidential methods of operation.”
Note: Source lists no recipes or Know-How; lists System, supplies, products, marketing, training, and confidential methods.
Item 21 · PDF p. 83 · 2026 FDD
Our summary: Auditor: Earney Accountants & Advisors, PLLC
“EARNEY Accountants & Advisors, PLLC ... INDEPENDENT AUDITOR’S REPORT”
Note: Provided source references audited financial statements but does not identify the auditor.
Independent analysis of franchisor-provided data. Not investment advice. Franopolis does not distribute FDDs.