Cousins Maine Lobster Makes Albany Debut with New Food Truck

Veteran Operators Roll Out 23rd Truck, Expanding the Brand's New York Presence

ALBANY, N.Y., March 20, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Cousins Maine Lobster (CML), the industry-leading fast-casual lobster roll brand is expanding its footprint in New York with the launch of a brand-new food truck in Albany. Led by seasoned franchisees and brothers Yunus and Thameem Shahul, this marks the duo's 23^rd CML truck, bringing the irresistible flavors of Maine lobster directly to New York's capital. With a growing demand for high-quality seafood across New York, the Albany truck offers local seafood lovers fan-favorite Maine lobster rolls, mouthwatering lobster tacos, savory lobster quesadillas, and much more.

Since starting operations in Manhattan in August 2018, the Shahul brothers have expanded CML's reach across New York City, Long Island, and Western and Central Connecticut. They've also spearheaded the brand's expansion in other major markets, including Washington D.C., Maryland, Virginia, Chicago, Miami, Tampa, and Fort Lauderdale. As the brothers continue their growth in New York, the new truck in Albany will serve as an adjacent territory to their existing operations, further building brand recognition and expanding into new communities with the support of a local team.

"We're excited to announce that Cousins Maine Lobster will now serve the Albany community of lobster lovers," said Yunus Shahul. "The passion that we have for this brand is shared by our customers, and as we continue to grow with Cousins Maine Lobster, this expansion is a natural next step in the region. We can't wait to serve our signature Maine lobster to our new neighbors, provide new job opportunities and build lasting connections in this vibrant community."

Cousins Maine Lobster Albany will make its introduction on Thursday, March 22^nd at KBC Beer, located at 4 N. Main St. in Mayfield from 12:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. The celebration will continue with a series of events across the market, giving communities the chance to experience the brand firsthand.

Check out more of the upcoming week's food truck events at Cousins Main Lobster Albany.

Specializing in wild-caught Maine lobster, Cousins Maine Lobster offers a gourmet fast-casual seafood experience through food trucks, brick-and-mortar locations, and a 'Shore-to-Door' e-commerce program that ships responsibly harvested menu items nationwide. Founded in 2012, the brand gained national recognition after appearing on Shark Tank and partnering with Barbara Corcoran. With rapid expansion underway, Cousins Maine Lobster has appeared on The Food Network, Good Morning America, Inc., and in Tasting Table, where it has won numerous awards and recognition. 

Likewise, the brand's menu is growing right alongside its food truck fleet. Cousins Maine Lobster is launching a new Garlic Butter Lobster Roll, an indulgent twist on their classic roll featuring warm Maine lobster drizzled in rich, house-made garlic butter on a toasted New England-style bun.

"Yunus and Thameem are exemplary operators who have demonstrated incredible leadership and dedication to growing the Cousins Maine Lobster brand," said Angela Coppler, Head of Development at Cousins Maine Lobster. "Their passion for delivering an authentic Maine lobster experience has allowed them to expand across multiple regions, and we have no doubt their newest truck in Albany will have the same energy and commitment. We're proud to support their continued growth and introduce our brand to even more communities."

Cousins Maine Lobster of Albany is part of the brand's broader food truck growth strategy to reach new seafood fans right where they live, work, and play. With a growing number of new locations in major cities across the United States, the brand is on track to open 30 units in 2025. Cousins Maine Lobster is seeking operators who are passionate about delivering high-quality food and exceptional customer service. Ideal candidates have a strong business mindset, work ethic, and leadership skills, with a commitment to maintaining the brand's standards.

With a proven business model that offers flexibility, operators can launch food trucks in as little as three to six months. Low overhead and labor costs allow operators an efficient and cost-effective entry into each market. The brand is currently targeting markets with strong demand for high-quality, fast-casual seafood, including Seattle, Tacoma, Vancouver and Spokane, Washington; Phoenix and Tucson, Arizona; and areas across the Midwest, including St. Louis, Missouri; Cedar Rapids, Iowa; and Indianapolis, Indiana.

About Cousins Maine Lobster

Cousins Maine Lobster is a premier seafood franchise bringing authentic Maine lobster to communities nationwide through its fleet of food trucks and brick-and-mortar restaurants. Founded in 2012 by cousins Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, the brand started as a passion project and quickly gained national recognition after securing an investment from Barbara Corcoran on Shark Tank. Since then, Cousins Maine Lobster has become a leading franchise, delivering high-quality, wild-caught Maine lobster with a commitment to consistency, hospitality, and an unforgettable guest experience. Whether serving seafood lovers from its iconic food trucks or expanding into new markets with restaurant locations, Cousins Maine Lobster continues to set the standard for premium lobster offerings.

To learn more about franchise opportunities with Cousins Maine Lobster, visit https://www.cousinsmainelobster.com/franchise. To find a location near you, visit www.cousinsmainelobster.com.

DISCLAIMER: This news is provided for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation to buy a franchise. Any actual offer or solicitation can only be made through a Franchise Disclosure Document. If you reside in California, Connecticut, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Virginia, Washington, or Wisconsin, we may not be able to offer you a franchise until it has been registered in your state.

SOURCE Cousins Maine Lobster