It is no secret that the restaurant industry was one of the hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. As cases continue to fluctuate, restaurant brands everywhere are wondering what they can do to keep their doors open and profits growing.
Not the case for Angry Crab Shack! Since the pandemic began, sales have only increased, with the Average Unit Volume rising by 33% last year alone. In the face of inflation, labor shortages and supply chain challenges, the premier seafood boil restaurant brand has been a star player by offering its guest a cuisine and casual dine-in experience that’s enabled it to sail past its competitors.
Making Waves in the Seafood Industry
With a global seafood market projected to top $1.7 trillion by 2027, the industry itself has allowed Angry Crab Shack to soar above other restaurant brands. The brand’s unique Asian Cajun flare helps set it apart from other seafood franchises as their unique preparation methods provide guests with flavor profiles they can’t experience anywhere else.
Angry Crab Shack also offers a customizable menu so that guests can order something different each time while mixing and matching flavors, seafood and vegetables within their seafood boil. This also means that families can confidently dine at Angry Crab Shack knowing there’s a little something for everyone to enjoy with sauces like Cajun, Lemon Pepper and Pacific Rim; and spice levels ranging from “Me No Likey Spice” to Ridiculously Hot.
Focusing on Guest Experience
Now more than ever, consumers are focused not only on the quality of food at restaurants but on the guest service and memorable experience they offer. While Angry Crab Shack capitalizes on “to-go” options like pickup and delivery, our in-restaurant experience continues to keep guests coming back.
The easy-going casual theme provides a lively environment for seafood lovers of all ages. This means that even when guests are hundreds of miles away from New Orleans, they’ll still feel like they’re sitting oceanside as they enjoy their fresh meal sourced straight from the sea.
The restaurant’s “shack” design also provides a memorable, fun-filled experience where guests are encouraged to write on the walls to mark their special occasions, wear their Angry Crab Shack bibs and dig into their meals with enthusiasm.
Cutting Costs and Shelling Out Profits
One of the more challenging obstacles for restaurant brands has been the rising costs of food and materials. For years now, Angry Crab Shack has provided franchise partners with smart solutions for cutting down on costs during the opening process and beyond.
They have seen much success opening in second-generation spaces, allowing their franchise partners to save big on their initial investment and open more quickly since many of the sites are already equipped with kitchen and bar set-ups, HVAC and plumbing systems, fixtures and furnishings.
The simplified, streamlined kitchen operations help cut back on costs and boost Angry Crab Shack’s Return on Investment for its franchise partners. Because the brand has been around for nearly a decade, its strong supplier relationships ensure the best availability and pricing as others struggle with shortages and supply chain issues.
Using their Success to Give Back
The proactive steps taken by the Angry Crab Shack corporate team resulted in immense growth throughout 2021 and early 2022. Expansion brought new locations to Scottsdale, Tucson, and Casa Grande in Arizona in addition to Atlanta, Houston, and Seattle. The high-performing franchise knows just how lucky they’ve been to have seen such success during uncertain times and have been eager to give back to their local communities.
During the pandemic, people everywhere found themselves struggling to stay afloat. Angry Crab Shack stepped in to help, spearheading fundraising initiatives for Phoenix Children’s Hospital, Sunrise Children’s Hospital in Nevada, the Arizona Housing Coalition, American Service Animal Society, Houston Food Bank, St. Mary’s Food Bank in Phoenix and United Food Bank in Mesa.
These efforts will bring Angry Crab Shack’s charitable contributions to $1M in the last five years, prompting the Phoenix Business Journal to award Angry Crab Shack with the 2021 Community Impact Award.
Unwavering Growth for the Angry Crab Shack Restaurant Franchise
Since beginning to franchise in 2017, Angry Crab Shack has expanded its footprint coast to coast, with recent development deals signed in Arizona, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Nevada, Texas, Utah and Washington. By 2025, the seafood restaurant franchise plans to operate 100 locations across the U.S., and it’s always looking for seafood lovers to join them in their growth journey.
Looking for a franchise opportunity with high profitability and smooth waters ahead? Contact us today to learn more about opening an Angry Crab Shack in your area!
