THE PROCESS

Here’s Exactly What Happens
After You Say “I’m In.”

No runaround. No mystery. We’ll walk you through every step — from your first conversation to the day you open your doors and shuck your first oyster.

We’ve been through this process ourselves, almost 20 times. We’ve refined it with every franchisee we’ve brought on. It’s designed to make sure this is the right fit for you — and for us.

01

Request Your Franchise Information

Fill out the short form on our site and we’ll send you our Franchise Information Report — an overview of the brand, the concept, the investment, and what it means to be a Shuckin’ Shack franchise owner. No commitment. No pressure. Just useful business information.

02

Introductory Call with Our Team

We’ll set up a quick call to get to know each other. We want to understand your background, your market, and your goals. This is a real conversation — not a sales pitch. We’re figuring out together whether this partnership makes sense.

03

Complete the Candidate Application

If the initial call goes well on both sides, we’ll invite you to complete a formal candidate application. This helps us understand your financials, your experience, and your vision for your market.

04

Receive & Review the FDD

You’ll receive our Franchise Disclosure Document — a full legal and financial overview of the franchise opportunity. We strongly encourage you to review it with a franchise attorney. No surprises.

05

Validation

Your dedicated opportunity to hear directly from current Shuckin’ Shack franchisees. The most crucial part of your due diligence — real-world insight and transparency to confirm this is the right long-term fit.

06

Discovery Day in Wilmington, NC

Come see us in person. Meet the leadership team, visit a Shuckin’ Shack location, taste the food, feel the atmosphere, and ask every question you’ve been holding onto.

07

Sign Your Franchise Agreement

When both sides are ready, we make it official. Welcome to the Shuckin’ Shack family. Flip flops are now your standard business attire.

WHAT COMES NEXT

let’s get you shuckin’

Hover over the cards to learn more

Think.
Act.
Be Local.

Retail Site Selection

⸻

Retail Site Selection

Our process for finding the ideal location for your Shuckin’ Shack is very collaborative including our new franchisee, our executive team and a commercial real estate partner.

Shuck U Training

⸻

Shuck U Training

Complete our 144-hour training program covering operations, staffing, inventory, menu, culture, and everything in between. Our team will be on the ground with your local team. You won’t open alone.

Local Marketing & Networking

⸻

Local Marketing & Networking

Months before opening, our marketing gurus have already started working your local press, social media, and digital presence so that thousands of people in your market are aware of our progress and our planned opening!

Soft Opening / Grand Opening

⸻

Soft Opening / Grand Opening

The screen doors open. The oysters get shucked. Cold drinks are poured. And your local community gets its first taste of A Good Shuckin’ Time.

Opening Day Is Just the Beginning.

We don’t hand you the keys and disappear. Here’s what ongoing support looks like as a Shuckin’ Shack franchise owner:

Hover over the cards to learn more

We built this on the
water. Now we’re taking
it everywhere.

OPERATIONS SUPPORT

⸻

OPERATIONS SUPPORT

Sarah Meriam, COO, and Samantha Stroupe, Director of Operations, are in your corner from day one — hands-on coaching, operational resources, and ongoing support to help you hit your goals and deliver the guest experience Shuckin’ Shack is known for.

MARKETING & BRAND SUPPORT

⸻

MARKETING & BRAND SUPPORT

Darren Keeler, VP of Marketing, and Aubree Privat, Graphic Designer, handle the marketing muscle — social ads, email campaigns, print materials, seasonal promotions, and customized creative for local events.

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

⸻

TRAINING & DEVELOPMENT

Samantha Stroupe leads training tools, operational systems, and support resources. Whether onboarding a new team member or sharpening your own operations — the resources are there and the team is reachable.

FRANCHISEE COMMUNITY

⸻

FRANCHISEE COMMUNITY

Join the Franchise Advisory Council and the annual Shackin’ Up conference. A community of partners who’ve been where you are, genuinely invested in each other’s success. Partnership doesn’t stop at the franchise agreement.

The First Step Takes
About Two Minutes.