Cousins Maine Lobster Meets Growing Demand in Northwest Pennsylvania Market with Second Food Truck

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Mar 07, 2025, 18:18 ET

Husband-and-Wife Duo Expand Territory from Erie to Penn State, Bringing Authentic Maine Lobster to More Seafood Lovers

PITTSBURGH, March 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- One of the nation's most celebrated seafood brands is expanding its footprint in Pennsylvania.

Cousins Maine Lobster, the nationally recognized food truck and restaurant concept serving authentic Maine lobster, is growing in Northwest Pennsylvania with the addition of a second truck. Husband-and-wife duo Savas and Victoria Alkoc, who have operated in Pittsburgh for several years, are adding this new truck to meet the growing demand in the Steel City area and beyond. This expansion allows Cousin Maine Lobster to serve the broader community more frequently, reaching seafood lovers from Erie to Centre County and Penn State. The grand opening celebration will take place on Saturday, March 8^th, at the Whitehorse Brewery located at 824 Diamond St. in Berlin, Pennsylvania.

The Alkocs are experienced multi-unit operators, launching their first truck in 2017 and now managing 10 food trucks across Pennsylvania, New Jersey, Delaware, Ohio, and a brick-and-mortar location in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Passionate about bringing high-quality, Maine-sourced lobster to communities nationwide, they look forward to engaging with new neighborhood hot spots, creating local job opportunities, and introducing more seafood lovers to the brand's signature lobster rolls, bisque, New England clam chowder, tots, whoopie pies, and more.

"We've built our business from the ground up, starting with one truck and expanding into multiple markets while staying true to our commitment to quality and service," said Savas, co-owner of Cousins Maine Lobster in Pennsylvania. "After receiving such a warm welcome in Pittsburgh, we knew this region was the perfect place to add another truck and continue growing with Cousins Maine Lobster. There's nothing quite like the experience of enjoying real Maine lobster, and we're excited to bring it to even more communities across Northwest Pennsylvania and beyond."

Specializing in sustainably sourced Maine lobster, Cousins Maine Lobster offers a gourmet fast-casual seafood experience through food trucks, brick-and-mortar locations, and a Shore-to-Door service that delivers responsibly harvested lobsters 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 earned accolades from The Food Network, Good Morning America, Inc., and Tasting Table, where it was voted Best Lobster Roll on the West Coast from 2013 to 2015.

"The brand's growth has been a rewarding journey for our operators, and Northwest Pennsylvania is another exciting chapter for Cousins Maine Lobster," said Angela Coppler, Head of Development at Cousins Maine Lobster. "Through our conversations with Savas and Victoria, it was clear that the strong demand and enthusiasm from seafood lovers in the region made this truck the best place to expand next. We're eager to see how the new communities embrace our high-quality lobster offerings and look forward to building more community ties."

In addition to the expansion, Cousins Maine Lobster is launching a new Garlic Butter Lobster Roll on March 21. This indulgent twist on their classic roll features warm Maine lobster drizzled in rich, house-made garlic butter on a toasted New England-style bun.

The Cousins Maine Lobster of Pittsburgh's celebration continues with a series of events across Pennsylvania and Ohio, giving communities the chance to experience the brand firsthand. Upcoming stops include:

March 7 – Indiana Mall, Indiana, Pa. | 11 a.m. – 7 p.m.
March 8 – Grand Opening – Whitehorse Brewing, Berlin, Pa. | Noon – 8 p.m.
March 9 – Gossip Uniontown, Uniontown, Pa. | Noon – 6 p.m.
March 13 – Mt. Morris Community Center, Mt. Morris, Pa. | 11 a.m. – 5 p.m.
March 14 – Southern Park Mall, Boardman, Ohio | Noon – 8 p.m.
March 15 – Vinoski Winery, Belle Vernon, Pa. | Noon – 8 p.m.
March 16 – Logan Valley Mall, Altoona, Pa. | 11:30 a.m. – 7 p.m.

For more information on Cousins Maine Lobster of Pittsburgh and its upcoming events, visit Pittsburgh, PA Cousins Maine Lobster Facebook Page

Cousins Maine Lobster of Northwest Pennsylvania is part of the brand's broader growth strategy, expanding through food trucks as a unique and effective way to reach new markets. With a growing number of new locations in major cities across the U.S., the brand is on track to break a new record of new unit openings 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 strong business model that offers flexibility, operators can launch food trucks quickly, typically in three to six months. Low overhead and labor costs allow Cousins Maine Lobster 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 Columbia, Charleston, Phoenix, Winston-Salem, and areas across the Midwest like Wisconsin and St. Louis.

About Cousins Maine Lobster

Cousins Maine Lobster is a premier seafood food truck and restaurant brand 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 grown into a leading franchise, delivering high-quality, sustainably sourced 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.