Cousins Maine Lobster to Launch Food Trucks in South Carolina and Alabama

Cousins Maine Lobster has announced a three-unit franchise agreement to expand its operations in the southeastern United States. The agreement involves the launch of new food trucks in Columbia, South Carolina; Charleston, South Carolina; and Birmingham, Alabama. The expansion is led by business partners Dave Blosser and Matt Cobb.

The first of these food trucks is scheduled to begin operations in Columbia in February 2026. This truck will also serve the Augusta, Georgia area. The Charleston unit is expected to follow in 2027, while the Birmingham truck is planned for 2028. This timeline reflects a phased approach to growth in the region.

Blosser and Cobb bring experience from their previous roles as multi-unit franchisees in the waste management sector. Their transition into the mobile food truck industry is part of a strategic effort to leverage their operational skills in a new market. The partners aim to introduce the brand's offerings, including Maine lobster rolls, to these new locations.

Cousins Maine Lobster's expansion into these markets is part of a broader strategy to increase its presence across the United States. The company has added nearly 20 new units this year in various locations, including Milwaukee, Wisconsin; Grand Rapids, Michigan; Albany, New York; Morgantown, West Virginia; and Winston-Salem/Greensboro, North Carolina. The company operates in over 35 states through its food truck and restaurant models.

The company is also exploring opportunities in other regions, targeting areas with strong demand for fast-casual seafood. Potential markets include Salt Lake City, Utah; Boise, Idaho; Omaha, Nebraska; Wichita, Kansas; Springfield, Missouri; and New Orleans, Louisiana.