This weekend marks a notable achievement for Cousins Maine Lobster. As the brand celebrates its 75th location, Jacksonville’s food lovers will welcome local business partners Mandy Ottesen and Damon Cole, the latest franchisees to join the Cousins Maine Lobster family.
A Dream Turned Business Reality for Local Entrepreneurs
Mandy Ottesen and Damon Cole, residents of St. Johns, FL, embarked on their franchising journey with Cousins Maine Lobster earlier this year, driven by a shared love of seafood and an enthusiasm for entrepreneurship.
“Damon and I are excited to be launching our first Cousins Maine Lobster food truck in the Jacksonville area! We fell in love with the food while visiting the Cousins Maine Lobster restaurant in Neptune Beach about a year ago, and here we are with our own truck, ready to share this amazing experience with seafood lovers from Nassau County to Flagler County and beyond,” said Mandy Ottesen. She added, “We are so grateful to the CML corporate staff for their support during this process, and we can’t wait for everyone in Northeast Florida to enjoy our authentic, high quality Maine Lobster!”
From their first taste of Cousins Maine Lobster’s signature dishes to being at the helm of their own food truck, Mandy and Damon’s journey showcases the company’s commitment to empowering franchisees. Their training began with the immersive Lobster 101 course in Casco Bay, Maine. At training they learned about sustainable practices in the wild-caught lobster industry. This foundational experience, followed by hands-on training in Nashville alongside the Cousins Maine Lobster operations team, equipped them with the skills needed to confidently run their business.
Jacksonville’s Seafood Scene Gets a Premium Upgrade
Cousins Maine Lobster’s expansion to Jacksonville is marked by anticipation from both the community and its new franchisees. The grand opening on November 9th at Beer:30 – San Marco promises an authentic taste of Maine. They will feature the brand’s famous lobster rolls, clam chowder, and the beloved whoopie pies. Beyond the menu, the event invites attendees to meet Mandy and Damon and win prizes, adding a personal touch to the celebration.
“We can’t wait to cut the ribbon and celebrate our 75th unit in Jacksonville this weekend!” said Jim Tselikis, Co-Founder of Cousins Maine Lobster, reflecting on the brand’s growth and the importance of franchise partnerships.
As Mandy and Damon roll out their new business, they symbolize a broader movement of entrepreneurs leveraging the support of established brands to fulfill their dreams. Cousins Maine Lobster, with its deep roots in tradition and high standards of quality, continues to attract franchisees passionate about sharing the joy of Maine’s coastal cuisine.
Join the Grand Opening Celebration
The Jacksonville community is encouraged to join Mandy, Damon, and the Cousins Maine Lobster team this Saturday at Beer:30 – San Marco in Jacksonville, FL from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Beer:30 is a local Premier Craft Beer & Wine Bar with 15 rotating taps and fresh wine list. This celebration marks not only a milestone for the company but also the beginning of a new chapter for two local seafood enthusiasts turned business owners.
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