Meet Lincoln Kennedy, an accomplished former NFL player who has fearlessly tackled a new field as an Angry Crab Shack Franchise Partner. With an unwavering passion for crafting exceptional seafood experiences and a commitment to giving back to the community, Lincoln’s journey with Angry Crab Shack truly embodies the spirit of entrepreneurship.
Background and Drive for Business Ownership
Before becoming a Franchise Partner, Lincoln had a successful football career, graduating from the University of Washington in 1993 and playing 12 years in the NFL before retiring in 2004. Following his retirement, he moved to Phoenix and became connected to the NFL Retired Players Association.
During his time there, he met Ron Lou, a former NFL player and the founder of Angry Crab Shack, who owned a Chinese restaurant at the time in Gilbert, Arizona. Ron had brought a few retired players there to tell them about his new idea for a boiled seafood concept.
Lincoln had also previously owned an Italian restaurant in Atlanta and owned several other restaurant franchises. With his background in the restaurant industry, he saw the potential of Angry Crab Shack and embraced the opportunity to bring a unique family dining experience to communities.
Building a Successful Entrepreneurial Career
Lincoln now owns two thriving Angry Crab Shack locations, one in Happy Valley, Arizona since 2019 and another in Henderson, Nevada, southeast of Las Vegas, which opened amidst the challenges of COVID-19 in January of 2021. Despite the difficulties of starting a business during the pandemic, Lincoln’s determination and ability to adapt allowed his restaurants to thrive. One area where Lincoln and other Franchise Partners were required to adapt was related to takeout.
With the pandemic came a surge in third party delivery services and takeout sales. Angry Crab Shack took advantage of this new revenue stream and made upgrades to their to-go packaging ensuring the seafood tasted just as good as if you were eating at one of their restaurants.
The Angry Crab Shack Advantage
What sets Angry Crab Shack apart is our bag and boil concept, where guests can personalize their meals by choosing their desired seafood, sauce, and spice level. “You only get what you want, and the way you want it. This approach not only contributes to cost control for Franchise Partners but also creates a memorable experience for every guest,” explained Lincoln.
Our signature Asian-Cajun flavors and spice levels also help differentiate Angry Crab Shack by appealing to a wide variety of tastes. With fresh ingredients and a family-friendly atmosphere, there is a lot to love about our franchise opportunity. “The whole concept and the quality flavors really stood out to me as attributes that separate us from other restaurants,” Lincoln stated.
Lincoln’s vision for the brand goes beyond offering great food and exceptional service. His goal is to provide accessibility to fresh seafood in areas where people are landlocked.
Another benefit Lincoln highlights as a Franchise Partner is Angry Crab Shack’s impactful business model. “The corporate franchise team creates a supportive, family atmosphere to help you on your journey; they’ve provided unwavering support,” Lincoln states. He also emphasizes the importance of a dedicated staff in running a successful restaurant and credits his team members as a big part for the success of his restaurants.
The Joy of Running an Angry Crab Shack
For Lincoln, the most rewarding part of running his business is witnessing the smiles on people’s faces as they enjoy the unique dining experience and flavorful food at Angry Crab Shack. As a father of three, Lincoln believes that food brings people together and promotes love, further enhancing his commitment to creating memorable experiences for his guests. “I like to see people happy and enjoying the good food, that’s ultimately what it’s all about.”
Beyond running successful restaurants, Lincoln is deeply committed to giving back to the community. He is a staunch supporter of education, regularly contributing to local school districts and providing discounts to teachers and students. Additionally, he actively supports children’s hospitals and acknowledges the invaluable contributions of first responders. Along with Lincoln’s efforts and those of other Franchise Partners, Angry Crab Shack has surpassed $1M in charitable contributions to various charitable organizations.
Join Lincoln and the Angry Crab Shack family in spreading the joy of exceptional seafood and creating lasting memories.
Contact us today to learn more about opening one of our franchises in your area.
