Cousins Maine Lobster is moving into the U.S. Southwest with a development deal that will deliver four new food trucks across New Mexico, Arizona and Texas. The franchise has partnered with Chris Wilson and Gary Andrews, longtime friends and entrepreneurs who previously launched two trucks in Lubbock, Texas. Their next frontier begins with a truck in Albuquerque in May 2026, followed by Phoenix in August. Two more trucks are expected to roll into El Paso and Tucson in 2027.
Wilson brings years of restaurant operational experience and says he first encountered the brand when a CML food truck visited Dallas and drew long lines. “It’s been an honor to grow the brand’s presence in West Texas,” he said, adding that the pair are eager to bring “authentic Maine lobster and the hospitality CML is known for” to the Southwest market. The duo’s track record gives the brand a reliable partner as it expands into new territory.
Lindsay Herberger, Director of Franchise Development at CML, praised Wilson and Andrews’ leadership. She noted that their success in Lubbock “sets the stage for growth in New Mexico and Arizona,” and expressed enthusiasm about the upcoming rollouts. The agreement underscores CML’s appeal to seasoned multi-unit operators who recognise the brand’s momentum and proven model.
The franchise emphasises its streamlined food truck format, which features lobster rolls, lobster tacos, lobster grilled cheese and whoopie pies. The menu is designed to deliver premium seafood in a mobile, high-visibility platform that scales efficiently. With the Southwest launch part of a broader national strategy, CML is positioning itself to deepen its national footprint in key growth regions.
For prospective franchisees and industry watchers alike, this expansion presents a compelling case of how food-service brands can deploy multi-unit deals, trusted operators and high-visibility mobile formats to accelerate growth. As CML looks ahead to its Southwestern rollout, the next year will serve as a litmus test of how well the brand can replicate success across diverse markets.
