Long John Silver’s is a popular American quick-service seafood restaurant franchise founded in 1969 in Lexington, Kentucky. It is now headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

Known for its fast, affordable seafood, Long John Silver’s quickly expanded and began franchising in 1970, becoming one of the first major seafood-focused fast-food chains in the U.S.

Today, the brand operates hundreds of locations nationwide, with about 70% of its restaurants franchise-owned. The franchise system generates over $400 million in annual systemwide sales.

The menu features wild-caught Alaska pollock, shrimp, salmon, cod, and their famous hushpuppies.

All items are prepared using 100% high-oleic canola oil. Long John Silver’s sets itself apart by delivering quality seafood in a fast-food format, backed by responsible sourcing and a commitment to sustainable fishing practices.

Training

Long John Silver's provides a thorough and structured training program for its franchisees and their teams to ensure consistent operations across its locations:

1. Pre-Opening Management Training Program: This mandatory training is held at certified Long John Silver's training units for a period specified in the Operations Manual. Four managers for traditional restaurants (or five for co-branded restaurants) must complete this program within 30 days before the opening. It includes instruction in operations, service, and brand standards.
2. Employee and Operational Training: The franchisor may also require on-the-job and instructional training for all employees, as well as refresher and retraining programs for executive, managerial, and supervisory staff. The company determines the number of employees to be trained, training duration, and satisfactory completion criteria.
3. Opening Assistance: A Long John Silver's representative is sent to assist with opening activities. The franchisee reimburses the franchisor for related expenses such as meals, lodging, and travel.

Territory Protection

Long John Silver's offers franchisees limited territorial protection through a defined “Territory.” This is typically a 1.5-mile radius around a Traditional Restaurant or a 1-mile radius for those located in convenience or gas stores.

Within this territory, Long John Silver’s agrees not to operate or franchise another restaurant under the same brand, giving the franchisee localized protection. However, this territorial protection comes with exceptions.

The franchisor retains rights to open Express units with limited menus in “captive audience” venues like airports or military bases, and to sell branded products through non-restaurant channels such as the internet or retail. Franchisees do not receive exclusive customer access, nor do they have rights of first refusal for additional franchises unless explicitly granted in a development agreement.