Series 2: Shark Tank
Ep. 168 - Jim Selikis & Sabin Lomac - Cousins Maine Lobster
Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac are the co-founders of Cousins Maine Lobster, a startup food truck business which has grown to over 50 units, including both gourmet food trucks and fast-casual restaurants.
Having been raised in Maine, Cousins Jim (from Cape Elizabeth) and Sabin (from Scarborough) were taught early on about the core values of family, friendship, hard work, and a true love and appreciation for their native delicacy, Maine lobster. The Cousins work vigorously to ensure not only the quality, sustainability, and consistency of their product, but to elevate and promote the "Family First" ethos at the core of CML.
Accomplished entrepreneurs and authors, Jim and Sabin are also active members of Big Brothers Big Sisters. The Cousins can also be seen regularly on a multitude of shows on the Food Network, including one of their own, Food Truck Rehab.
"We had a huge viewing party the night of our airing, tons of food and a little to much drink, the next day was tough. But what really happened was it extended our momentum. We had momentum in LA but this doubled the activity and sales and really set us in motion."
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Company Profile
As seen on Shark Tank, Cousins Maine Lobster brings authentic Maine lobster to unique neighborhoods across the U.S. by way of their food trucks, food halls & brick & mortar restaurants. They bring customers the most authentic Maine seafood experience by staying close to the source, proudly serving premium, wild-caught, sustainably harvested lobster from Maine, accompanied by their signature Downeast Maine hospitality.
Started in 2012 by real-life Cousins and Mainers, Jim Tselikis and Sabin Lomac, Cousins Maine Lobster began with two things: A Food Truck, and a shared vision to extend the highest-quality Maine lobster to the lobster-starved masses by making it affordable and accessible. Growing up in Maine, lobster was tradition, and always a reason to gather family, friends and loved ones to share a special meal. After appearing on Shark Tank, Jim & Sabin partnered with Barbara Corcoran and began franchising, partnering with local owners and entrepreneurs to bring Maine lobster to over 35 cities across the country and internationally, in Taiwan.
Since 2012, Cousins Maine Lobster has been continually featured on the most influential entrepreneurial and culinary programming, including Shark Tank, The Food Network, Good Morning America, The Today Show, CNBC, The Chew, the Cooking Network, and more. Cousins Maine Lobster regularly appears in leading publications Inc., Entrepreneur, Saveur, Food & Wine, Zagat, Eater and many more.