Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls®
What Is Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls?
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is a counter-service, family-friendly fast-casual franchise specializing in Maine-style lobster rolls, New England-style soups, side dishes and desserts. The primary service channels are dine-in and take-away counter service for lunch and dinner. Franchisees may also generate revenue through catering, including restaurant pickup or delivery platters and off-premise satellite catering at festivals and similar events, and restaurants are typically located in in-line units in downtown urban, high-foot-traffic or tourist locations and food halls.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls Franchise: Pros and Cons
With a perfect Franchise Stability Score of 100/100, zero disclosed lawsuits or government penalties, refundable initial fees (a benefit only ~14% of F&B franchises offer) and an Item 7 training minimum of $0, this system greatly reduces legal and upfront cash risk; however, standard industry risks like local competition, real estate costs and supply-chain disruption still apply.
Pros
Cons
Lawsuits & Legal Risk
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls reported no material legal proceedings,
Territory Protection
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls grants a protected, non‑exclusive, site‑specific Designated Territory (smaller than the Site Selection Area). Rights are contingent on meeting performance quotas; the franchisor retains e‑commerce/alternative distribution and non‑traditional venue rights, may acquire/convert units, and provides specified rights of first refusal for further development.
Training & Support
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls provides a focused 40-hour training curriculum designed to prepare three managerial staff members for launch. The program includes on-site launch assistance for operational readiness, with travel and lodging expenses borne by the franchisee and certain on-site support services subject to additional fees.
Franchisee Stability
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls earns an Excellent Stability Score overall. Three-year turnover of 0.00% is well below the typical Food & Beverage franchise, which reports turnover of around 5%, and sits far below the lowest-churn 10% of Food & Beverage franchises, near 0.69%, among the 258 companies in this sector. Out of 0 total exits across the three reported years, there were no terminations, no non-renewals, no franchisor buybacks, and no ceased operations, reflecting complete retention in that span and the absence of departures over the reported period.
This is built on a compact track record (roughly 20 franchisees averaged across three years); continued retention as the system grows would solidify the picture. For prospective franchisees, the picture so far is uniformly clean: every franchisee who came in stayed in.
Unit Growth Analysis
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is down 6 units (from 22 to 16), roughly a 27% decline overall with a recent steep 50% year-over-year drop. This pattern fits a "Silent Exodus" for an emerging chain-existing operators are leaving faster than the brand is replacing them-so a new owner is buying into clear turnaround risk: expect thin franchisor support, unstable unit economics, and the need to push hard for full closure/transfer details and strong contractual protections before committing.
How Much Does It Cost to Open a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls Franchise?
Opening a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise requires a total initial investment of $160,983 to $459,050, according to the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. This range covers the franchise fee, real estate, equipment, training, and initial working capital needed to launch and operate through the early months.
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Minimum Investment Breakdown
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Investment Analysis
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The initial investment amounts shown are estimates only. Actual costs may vary based on location size, business model, and multi-unit ownership arrangements. We recommend reviewing the full Franchise Disclosure Document for complete details.
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls Franchise Earnings: Not Disclosed
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information, which can make it harder for prospective owners to evaluate expected revenue before investing.
This franchise company did not publish these results.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls a good franchise to own?
Whether Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls is a good franchise depends on your goals, experience, and local market. Key factors from the 2026 FDD: Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls operates 16 locations, received a legal risk score of 100/100, a training and support score of 35/100. The franchisor does not disclose financial performance data. Prospective franchisees should review the full Franchise Disclosure Document and consult with a franchise attorney before making any investment decision.
Is a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise worth the investment?
The value of a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise investment depends on factors such as location, operator experience, and market demand. The initial investment ranges from $160,983 to $459,050. Franchise investments carry inherent risk, and prospective buyers should conduct thorough due diligence before committing capital.
How long does it take to break even with a Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchise?
Break-even timelines for Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls franchises are not disclosed in the 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Break-even periods vary significantly based on initial investment level, local market conditions, operating costs, and revenue ramp-up speed. Prospective franchisees should build a pro forma financial model using Item 7 cost estimates and, where available, Item 19 financial performance data from the FDD.
Is Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls a franchise or a corporate-owned business?
As of the 2026 FDD, Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls operates 11 franchised locations and 5 company-owned locations. Franchise opportunities are available through the franchisor's disclosure process.
Does Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls disclose franchise revenue data?
Mason’s Famous Lobster Rolls did not disclose financial performance data (Item 19) in their 2026 FDD. Not all franchisors choose to publish this information.
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