Annie Tselikis, Cousins Maine Lobster Alumna

“The franchisee/franchisee relationships are critical for the success of our system.”

Annie Tselikis said, “You’re crazy” when her brother Jim and cousin Sabin Lomac hatched the idea of a food truck in Los Angeles serving Maine lobster rolls. But when they tapped into her deep fisheries expertise to shape their business model, Cousins Maine Lobster was under way!  Today Cousins delivers an inimitable, mouthwatering Maine lobster roll experience to customers from more than 70 mobile and stand-alone locations. 

Annie (now Director of Marketing and Business Development for Slade Gorton seafood products), visited with Ab and Vini and shared her views on why successful scaling requires going all-in on franchisee onboarding. Why effective brand building “starts where the people are.” The “family approach” that keeps the Cousins brand healthy and on the grow. How she applies her global travels and experience in anthropology studies to business operations. And how FUN can be a corporate goal.

Listen to the archive episode with stars Jim Tselkis and Sabin Lomac.