Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is a fast-growing casual franchise specializing in authentic Maine-style lobster rolls. Founded in 2014 by Dan Beck in Annapolis, Maryland, the brand established its headquarters in the same city and started franchising in 2016. Since then, it has expanded steadily across the United States and even entered the international market with a location in Milan, Italy.
The concept is built around 100% wild-caught Maine lobster, featured in customer favorites such as the Classic Roll, Connecticut Roll, and the Lobster BLT. The menu also includes a range of complementary seafood dishes, including shrimp rolls, lobster bisque, clam chowder, and lobster mac and cheese.
Mason’s differentiates itself through a dedication to quality ingredients, simple recipes, and traditional preparation techniques that highlight the natural flavor of the lobster.
What makes the franchise especially appealing is its ability to present a premium product in a casual dining setting. The operating model is designed for efficiency, requiring no previous restaurant experience, and works best in spaces between 700 and 1,200 square feet.
Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise? It costs on average between $241,000 – $629,000 to start a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchised restaurant.
This includes expenses for construction, kitchen equipment, seafood inventory, and other initial operating costs. The total investment varies depending on factors such as the size of the restaurant, its location, and whether the franchisee decides to lease or buy the property.
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $35,000 |
| Construction and Leasehold Improvements | $110,000 – $354,000 |
| Lease Deposits, Utility Deposits, and Rent – Three Months | $9,300 – $54,300 |
| Furniture, Fixtures and Equipment | $50,000 – $80,000 |
| Signage | $5,000 – $27,500 |
| Business Management Systems | $3,750 – $4,000 |
| Start-Up Marketing | $3,500 |
| Initial Inventory and Uniforms | $4,400 – $12,000 |
| Insurance Deposits – Three Months | $1,500 – $1,750 |
| Travel for Initial Training | $0 – $2,500 |
| Professional Fees | $13,000 – $30,000 |
| Licenses and Permits | $1,000 – $4,500 |
| Additional Funds – Three Months | $5,000 – $20,000 |
| Total Estimate | $241,450 – $629,050 |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise? A Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchised restaurant makes on average $821,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
Download the Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls locations are there?
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls operates about 30 locations in total. Of these, 25 are franchise-owned while 5 are company-owned.
What is the total investment required to open a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise?
The total investment required to open a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise ranges from $241,000 to $629,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise?
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchisees pay an ongoing royalty fee of 5% of gross sales. In addition, they contribute 1% of gross sales to the brand’s advertising fund, with the franchise agreement allowing this fee to be increased up to 2% if required.
What are the financial requirements to become a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchisee?
To become a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchisee, you need a minimum of $100,000 in liquid capital. In addition, you must have a personal net worth ranging from $400,000 to $500,000, depending on the specific requirements outlined.
How much can a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise owner expect to earn?
The average gross sales for a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise are approximately $0.82 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $0.82 million yearly revenue can result in $123,000 EBITDA annually.
Who owns Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls?
The Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise is owned by founder Dan Beck, who established the brand in 2014 and continues to lead its growth and expansion.
Disclaimer
Disclaimer: This content has been made for informational and educational purposes only. We do not make any representation or warranties with respect to the accuracy, applicability, fitness, or completeness of the information presented in the article. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other professional advice. Nothing contained in this article constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, advertisement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.
All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial and/or legal advice, nor does any information in the article constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.
