One month into franchise development, local restaurant entrepreneurs Sean Cook and Matt Piccinin have secured two franchisees for their expanding Shuckin' Shack enterprise, according to a news release from the company.

Retired military veteran Jason Simas and his wife Bev will be moving from Newport News, Virginia to Topsail Island early 2015 to launch a Shuckin' Shack there. Chris Cashwell, also retired from the military, is moving to Carolina Beach from Albuquerque, New Mexico this month to select his location, which will be in the Porters Neck area, the release stated.

Cook and Piccinin have two Shuckin' Shacks in operation. They opened their first oyster bar in Carolina Beach in 2007, offering steamed seafood with a full bar and a casual, family-friendly atmosphere. With that location a success, they replicated the formula in downtown Wilmington in 2012.

"The Shuckin’ shack team has turned the concept into a turnkey franchise opportunity complete with site selection, design and layout, construction, marketing, and training to ensure success," Greg George, a veteran franchise developer with whom the restaurant owners are working, said in the news release. George said that three metro Charlotte eateries are on the horizon.

NOTE: A related story on Shuckin' Shack's franchise development appears in the July 4 issue of the Greater Wilmington Business Journal.

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