The Lost Cajun – a family-friendly restaurant focused on authentic Cajun food and hospitality – reported successful growth in 2017 and is set to finish out 2018 with enthusiastic development plans. The Louisiana-based franchisor expects to have 25 units open and operating by the end of 2018.
Recognized for providing a down-home atmosphere and southern hospitality you can feel, The Lost Cajun opened two stores in 2017 and is on track to open at least eleven new locations in 2018, marking over 450 percent growth in restaurant openings from 2017-2018.
There are currently 18 locations open and operating throughout Colorado, Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina, and the upcoming stores will be located in Charlotte, North Carolina, Cypress, Texas, Keller, Texas, Raleigh, North Carolina, Slidell, Louisiana, Westminster, Colorado, San Antonio, Texas Melbourne, Florida and Greenville, South Carolina.
“Since launching our franchise opportunity in 2013, The Lost Cajun has focused on developing the necessary systems to reach its full potential within the full-service restaurant industry. To that end, The Lost Cajun has seen tremendous growth within the last seven years. We anxiously look forward to carrying this momentum throughout the remainder of 2018 and beyond,” says Richard Leveille, Chief Development Officer of The Lost Cajun. “As we continue to expand our footprint nationally, our primary goal of providing unmatched support for our existing franchisees remains, while concentrating on our mission of being a family-friendly restaurant with a focus on authentic Cajun food and hospitality.”
Leveille attributes the increased interest in the franchise opportunity to the amazing food and one-of-a-kind dining experience. The Cajun cuisine industry is a highly fragmented segment with no dominate regional or national player. With the majority of these restaurants being mom-and-pop locations, The Lost Cajun continues to surpass the competition when it comes to providing an authentic Cajun experience with an emphasis on hospitality.
The Lost Cajun’s menu offers diners a sampling of traditional Cajun fare, including a variety of gumbos – seafood, chicken and sausage, and vegetarian. Red beans and rice, fried seafood, crawfish etouffee and lobster bisque also top the menu, as does another Cajun staple, jambalaya. And what Cajun restaurant would be complete without beignets for dessert?
The Lost Cajun further distinguishes itself with a fantastic down-home atmosphere – a true hole-in-the-wall with wooden tables, unique decorations and an expertly crafted playlist of Zydeco music. The open kitchen concept harks back to the wooden counters in Louisiana’s gumbo houses; patrons can watch their food being cooked and hear the courtesy and respect commonly associated with Cajun culture.
“Along with our relentless focus on Cajun cuisine and hospitality, The Lost Cajun also strives to maintain a first-class franchise that provides dedicated support to each and every franchisee,” adds Raymond Griffin, Founder and CEO of The Lost Cajun. “As we continue to expand, I see more and more new faces come into our restaurants, and the excitement they express is authentic. More than just the success of our locations, we are so proud to provide a unique and positive service to our communities that people know and love.”
To augment the company’s growth and introduce even more consumers to its authentic Cajun food and hospitality, The Lost Cajun is currently seeking, quality real estate, along with single- and multi-unit franchisees. On average, the total investment ranges from $300,000 – $500,000 for a single unit. Each location seats an average of 65-80 guests and ranges from 2,500-2,800 sq. ft.