Whenever Frederick and Nicole Rabena’s son, Cole, visited the Jersey Shore, he’d often buy overpriced lobster rolls that fell short of the quality that was advertised. With decades of experience in the restaurant management industry, the Rabenas knew they could do better. By Brianna Bohn
Whenever Frederick and Nicole Rabena’s son, Cole, visited the Jersey Shore, he’d often buy overpriced lobster rolls that fell short of the quality that was advertised. With decades of experience in the restaurant management industry, the Rabenas knew they could do better. After sourcing the freshest lobster, affectionately called “la la lobster” by the couple’s daughter, Bella, and experimenting with countless recipes in their at-home test kitchen, the Rabenas opened their first La La Lobster location in Yardley, Pennsylvania.
“We opened on October 3, 2020, and there were lines down the street,” Nicole recalled. Unlike other seafood restaurants that pre-portion their lobster, La La Lobster’s lobster rolls are made fresh and weighed for every order, resulting in happy repeat customers. The next obvious step? To franchise the year-round lobster shack.
Nicole, however, wasn’t convinced that franchising was the right move. That was until she met Robert Katz, managing director of The Stanwood Group, LLC.
“What really stands out is the level of support and comfort Robert provides. He’s created a very clear path. I really couldn’t have imagined that it would be so easy,” Frederick said.
According to Katz, The Stanwood Group’s strategic relationship with Drumm Law makes opportunities like this possible. “We act as a bridge between Drumm Law and the client, and we do the heavy lifting. As a result, we’re able to secure preferred pricing; our clients are able to franchise their businesses more affordably than if they went anywhere else in the U.S.,” he said.
The Stanwood Group’s clients receive unmatched support: Drumm Law has earned several awards, including being ranked among the top legal services suppliers for franchises by Entrepreneur magazine, Katz has 21 years of experience in franchise development, sales and marketing, and Certified Franchise Consultant and Vice President of Franchise Sales Chad Bickle oversees some of the fastest-growing franchises in the Delaware Valley.
La La Lobster has experienced explosive growth, adding three other locations in Cape May and Princeton, New Jersey, and Doylestown, Pennsylvania, with more on the way. Bickle shared his enthusiasm for the brand’s success. “We are very excited to partner with La La Lobster, one of the most exciting emerging fast-casual dining franchise brands to come out of the Philadelphia market,” Bickle said.
Territories are available in hot markets across the U.S.
Brianna Bohn