Crafty Crab Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Crafty Crab serves a variety of seafood dishes, including crab, shrimp, and fish, offering a casual and flavorful dining experience with a focus on fresh ingredients.

Crafty Crab is a growing seafood restaurant franchise that was founded in 2023 in Florida by a team passionate about delivering high-quality seafood in a casual dining setting. The brand is operated by Crafty Crab Franchising LLC, which was established in April 2023 and is headquartered in Green Cove Springs, Florida.

The company began franchising soon after its founding and has since expanded across various U.S. states.

The franchise specializes in Southern-style seafood boils, featuring crab, crawfish, lobster, shrimp, calamari, and more. Its signature offering is the low-country boil seasoned with proprietary spice blends.

Crafty Crab sets itself apart with a fun, hands-on dining experience that combines bold flavors, generous portions, and a welcoming, coastal-themed atmosphere.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000
Training Fee $10,000
Training Expenses $1,000 - $10,000
Rental Costs $60,000 - $144,000
Construction, Remodeling and Leasehold Improvements $500,000 - $1,000,000
Equipment, Supplies, Décor, Fixtures and Furnishings $142,228 - $222,056
Computer and Point of Sale System $4,000 - $7,000
Inventory to Begin Operating (Including Employee Uniforms) $40,072 - $54,843
Security Deposits, Utility Deposits, Business Licenses, and Other Prepaid Expenses $5,000 - $30,000
Organizational Expense $1,000 - $2,000
Professional Fees $1,000 - $5,000
Signs $5,000 - $10,000
Insurance $15,000 - $45,000
Grand Opening Advertising $5,000
Permits and Licenses $3,500 - $7,500
Additional Funds (Initial Period – 3 Months) $60,000 - $95,000
Total $892,800 to $1,687,399
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $40,000
Training Fee $10,000
Training Expenses $1,000 - $10,000
Rental Costs $60,000 - $144,000
Construction, Remodeling and Leasehold Improvements $500,000 - $1,000,000
Equipment, Supplies, Décor, Fixtures and Furnishings $142,228 - $222,056
Computer and Point of Sale System $4,000 - $7,000
Inventory to Begin Operating (Including Employee Uniforms) $40,072 - $54,843
Security Deposits, Utility Deposits, Business Licenses, and Other Prepaid Expenses $5,000 - $30,000
Organizational Expense $1,000 - $2,000
Professional Fees $1,000 - $5,000
Signs $5,000 - $10,000
Insurance $15,000 - $45,000
Grand Opening Advertising $5,000
Permits and Licenses $3,500 - $7,500
Additional Funds (Initial Period – 3 Months) $60,000 - $95,000
Total $892,800 to $1,687,399

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training

Crafty Crab provides a structured training program to equip franchisees and their teams for operating a restaurant. Here are the main programs offered:

  1. Initial Training Program
    The Managing Owner and Operating Manager must attend and complete the Initial Training Program no later than six weeks before the restaurant opening. The training fee is currently $10,000, and attendees must also cover their own travel and living expenses.
  2. On-Site and Follow-Up Training
    Operating Managers appointed after opening must also complete the next available Initial Training Program, with a cost of $2,500 per person, plus associated expenses. Franchisees can request additional on-site training and assistance, though the franchisor is not obligated to provide it.
  3. Transfer and Successor Training Requirements
    If the franchise is transferred, the new operators and designated managers must attend and successfully complete the Initial Training Program and any other required sessions. These sessions include not only operations but also brand standards and confidentiality protocols, ensuring consistency across locations.

Territory Protection

Crafty Crab grants franchisees a territory, often defined in a Development Agreement, where they are responsible for opening and operating a set number of restaurants. While the franchisor generally does not allow other franchisees or company-owned outlets to operate under the same brand within that specific territory, this protection is not absolute.

The franchisor retains rights to sell through various channels, including online, institutional partnerships, or other forms of commerce that may still serve customers inside the franchisee’s designated area.

Franchisees are restricted to offering services only from their approved restaurant location and are not allowed to sell or operate through other venues or platforms unless explicitly authorized.

Competitors

Below are some of

Crafty Crab

key competitors in the

Seafood

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
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Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

0

New
+
n.a.
n.a.

$40,000

$893,000

$1,687,000

n.a.

$0

$xxx,xxx

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

n.a.

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls

Mason's Famous Lobster Rolls is a seafood franchise serving authentic New England-style lobster rolls and fresh seafood dishes, delivering coastal flavors to every bite.

Franchisees

?

25
+
127%
127%
Investment

?

$241,000 - $629,000

Sushi Avenue

Sushi Avenue is a sushi restaurant franchise that focuses on delivering fresh and high-quality sushi to customers. Franchisees receive comprehensive training, marketing assistance, and ongoing support for day-to-day operations.

Franchisees

?

310
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$19,000 - $117,000

Sushi Maru Express

Sushi Maru Express offers freshly made sushi and Japanese cuisine, providing convenient and high-quality options for sushi lovers.

Franchisees

?

0
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$21,000 - $166,000

Snowfox

Snowfox is a sushi franchise offering fresh sushi products within grocery stores and supermarkets, ensuring high-quality and convenient sushi options for consumers.

Franchisees

?

1277
+
10%
10%
Investment

?

$21,000 - $333,000

Shuckin Shack

Shuckin Shack is a seafood restaurant franchise offering fresh oysters, seafood dishes, and a casual, coastal atmosphere, focusing on quality and customer enjoyment.

Franchisees

?

16
+
-6%
-6%
Investment

?

$457,000 - $1,401,000

RNR Rock 'N Roll Sushi

RNR Rock 'N Roll Sushi is a sushi restaurant franchise combining rock 'n' roll music with a diverse sushi menu, creating a unique and entertaining dining experience.

Franchisees

?

69
+
19%
19%
Investment

?

$333,000 - $798,000