The Juicy Crab

The Juicy Crab was founded in 2015 by Raymond Chen, drawing on the Chen family’s multigenerational connection to seafood. Family history credits Grandfather Chen, a sailor who traveled widely and learned different seafood traditions, with inspiring the New Orleans style boil format. The first corporate restaurant opened in Duluth, Georgia, in 2015. The system grew from one unit to more than 28 between 2015 and 2020, passed 40 locations by 2022, and opened its 41st unit in Clarksville, Indiana, on February 17, 2022. As of January 2026, it has more than 40 United States locations, concentrated in Georgia, Florida, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, Texas, Ohio, Indiana, Mississippi, and Virginia. The brand operates only in domestic markets. Its headquarters are listed at 3555 Koger Blvd., Suite 390, Duluth, Georgia 30096, under parent company The Juicy Crab Inc. The United States full service restaurant sector is projected to reach $371.9 billion in 2025 and $715.8 billion by 2032, at a compound annual growth rate of 12.7%. The Juicy Crab competes in that large market with a differentiated seafood concept.

Global full service restaurant market estimates place the sector at approximately $1.59 trillion in 2025 and $2.05 trillion by 2035, with a CAGR of 2.6%. Another projection estimates the global full service segment at $15.38 billion in 2025 and $23.22 billion by 2035, at a CAGR of 4.21%. North America is projected to hold approximately 39.2% of global full service restaurant market share in 2025, supported by multicultural consumers and demand for varied dining experiences. About 61% of diners report that ambiance and interactive formats affect restaurant selection. The Juicy Crab’s communal format, with seafood served in bags and eaten by hand at paper covered tables, fits that behavior. Consumers are also trading up from fast food to full service meals with distinctive flavors. Cajun and Creole seafood boils remain less franchised than burgers, pizza, and sandwiches, leaving room for early operators with exclusive territories. Celebrity endorsements and social media activity have also expanded awareness beyond traditional advertising for a regional chain with more than 40 units.

The reported initial franchise fee is $50,000. An earlier 2017 figure of $10,000 reflects a different period in the company’s capitalization. Fees for established regional full service restaurant concepts commonly range from $35,000 to $60,000. Current FDD data places total initial investment from $728,500 to $1,490,000, while independent estimates range from $613,500 to $1,433,500. Costs vary with geography, construction, site conditions, equipment packages, and preopening working capital. A ground up build and a conversion of an existing restaurant can produce different requirements, as can markets in the coastal or suburban Southeast compared with Texas or Ohio. The ongoing royalty is reported at 6% of gross sales, compared with an industry range of 4% to 8%. The advertising contribution is reported at 1% of gross sales, with some sources citing 1% to 4% based on the disclosure period. Reported liquid capital requirements are $200,000, $250,000, and $350,000. Net worth requirements range from $500,000 to $1,500,000. SBA eligibility is common for concepts of this type, and qualified buyers should review 7(a) and 504 structures with an appropriate financing advisor.

A Juicy Crab operator manages a high volume full service restaurant. The seafood boil menu requires kitchen employees who can prepare live and fresh shellfish, spice blends, and customized boil orders on schedule. Training combines workplace and classroom instruction, including in person sessions in Atlanta, Georgia. Topics include operations, maintenance, customer service, ordering, pricing guidelines, and administrative procedures. Ongoing support covers field operations, social media marketing, branding materials, grand opening coordination, site selection, and lease negotiation. Product research and supply chain development may give franchisees access to purchasing and distribution resources that independent operators lack. Territory exclusivity is based on a population of 50,000. The model is better suited to an owner operator or a semi absentee operator with direct restaurant management experience.

Buyers therefore cannot use franchisor provided earnings claims to project returns and should validate performance through franchisee interviews, third party modeling, and comparable concepts. Public figures offer some direction. These are illustrative figures that require unit specific cost modeling. Estimated corporate valuation is $960 million. Buyers should request audited financial information from franchisees and compare it with the investment range.

The system grew from one location to more than 28 between 2015 and 2020, opened its 41st location in Clarksville, Indiana, in February 2022, and had more than 40 active locations as of January 2026. A Pasadena, Texas, location is planned for Spring 2026. Raymond Chen is identified as CEO and founder. As of January 2026, Leo Chen is associated with brand strategy, while Khemarak Soeurng is listed as CEO of The Juicy Crab Inc. Wensheng Chen serves as CTO. The brand’s positioning rests on its seafood boil experience, family origin story, celebrity endorsements, and supply chain and purchasing infrastructure. A communal dine in format is less easily reproduced by delivery first or ghost kitchen operators. Expansion into the Midwest and Texas indicates movement beyond the Southeast toward higher density, demographically diverse markets with interest in Cajun and Creole cuisine.

The preferred franchisee is an experienced restaurant operator or hospitality professional who has managed high volume, full service dining. Desired traits include restaurant operations experience, sales and marketing ability, a customer first approach, coachability, discipline, integrity, and urgency. The 50,000 person territory structure can support additional nearby units for operators who establish strong performance in metropolitan markets. With Pasadena, Texas, planned for Spring 2026 and locations in 11 states, opportunities may be concentrated in the Midwest, Mid Atlantic, and southwestern markets. Buyers should review the current FDD for the franchise term, renewal terms, transfer rules, and resale provisions. A typical opening timeline is six to twelve months from agreement execution to grand opening, although a conversion site may reduce that period.

Its initial investment range of $728,500 to $1,490,000 requires substantial liquid capital and a well capitalized balance sheet. The United States full service restaurant market is projected to reach $715.8 billion by 2032 at a CAGR of 12.7%. PeerSense is a commercial capital advisory firm, not a lender, and provides due diligence information that includes SBA lending history, Loan Activity Scores, location maps with Google ratings, FDD financial data, and comparison tools for competing full service restaurant concepts. The Juicy Crab has a current PeerSense Loan Activity Score of 42, rated Fair. Buyers can assess that score alongside the brand’s growth, revenue information, and competitive position when reviewing the opportunity.