Well-Established Shark’s Fish And Chicken Franchise Dekalb, IL
Well-Established Shark’s Fish & Chicken Franchise DeKalb, IL - Adjacent Northern Illinois University! "Has Successfully Operated Within The DeKalb Market For Over 15 Years" Fantastic opportunity to acquire a well-established Shark's Fish & Chicken franchise located on Lucinda Ave in DeKalb, IL, directly adjacent to Northern Illinois University (NIU). This highly visible quick-service restaurant benefits from its strategic location on one of DeKalb's busiest commercial corridors, serving thousands of students, faculty, staff, visitors and residents throughout the year. Shark’s menu features the brand's most popular offerings including whole chicken wings, chicken dinners, catfish fillets, ocean perch, shrimp, Philly steak sandwiches, burgers and signature sides along with combo platters and family meals. Its broad menu appeals to a diverse customer base and generates repeat visits from both students and local residents. Shark's Fish & Chicken is one of the Midwest's most recognized fish and chicken concepts, known for its extensive menu of freshly prepared seafood, chicken, wings, sandwiches, burgers and signature sides as well as combo platters and family meals. The brand has developed a loyal customer following throughout Illinois and continues to benefit from strong consumer recognition and repeat business. This established location has successfully operated within the DeKalb market for over 15 years and enjoys a steady stream of dine-in, carryout and delivery customers. The restaurant's proximity to NIU creates exceptional demand from students and campus personnel, particularly during lunch, dinner and late-night operating hours. Its fully equipped facility offers an efficient operational layout designed to maximize production and service. Customers enjoy online ordering capabilities, quick-service convenience, convenient access and ample parking. The business has established delivery channels and benefits from strong off-premise sales generated by surrounding student housing, apartment communities and residential neighborhoods. Business Highlights Whether you are an owner-operator, multi-unit franchisee, restaurant group or investor seeking an established franchise concept with a proven track record, Shark's Fish & Chicken in DeKalb represents an outstanding opportunity to acquire a recognized brand in a premier university market. Asset sale - all furniture, fixtures and equipment (FF&E) included. Feel free to stop by the location as a customer first. This is a HIGHLY confidential listing, DO NOT talk to any owners, employees or patrons. If interested, please click on the orange Contact Broker button on the right to complete the Buyer Profile form. Showings by appointment only outside of business hours.
Location
Prime retail space in Village Commons, a busy retail center along Lucinda Ave. Boasts excellent visibility, easy access and ample parking. Along with other popular eating & drinking establishments including Cast Iron Coffee, Domino’s Pizza and Zahao’s Express. Perfectly situated on one of the primary commercial routes serving Northern Illinois University. Its surrounding trade area includes student housing developments, apartment complexes and established residential neighborhoods in addition to local businesses and national retailers that provide consistent customer traffic throughout the year.
Employees
3 Full-Time
Lease Terms
Leased space - cheap $2,350/mth gross. Current lease expires Dec 2028 with two 5-year options. Lease Security Deposit: $1,674.
Real Estate
Lease
Trading Hours
Mo-Th 10a-11p, Fri-Sa 10a-12m, Su 11a-10p
Management Type
This business is owner operated.
Premises Details
Year Established: 2011 (Current Owner 2025). Seating: 20 Inside & 28 Outside. Owners Role: Store manager (supervisory) - oversees the operation.
Years Established
Over 15 Years
Support & Training
5 days on-site comprehensive training.
Expansion Potential
This franchise location still offers significant growth opportunities through expanded loyalty programs, catering services, increased university partnerships, community outreach initiatives, enhanced digital marketing as well as continued growth of delivery and online ordering sales. Additional opportunities also exist to further capitalize on the large student population and surrounding residential growth throughout the DeKalb market!
Size In Square Feet
2,000
Competition / Market
Shark's Fish & Chicken is a well-established Midwest restaurant brand with dozens of locations throughout Illinois and multiple states across the Midwest and South. Why This Location Works Established national/regional brand recognition Proven fastcasual operating model Menu that performs well across lunch, dinner, latenight and delivery channels Strong Northern Illinois University student customer base Large demographic appeal spanning students, families and workers Consistent demand for their affordable comfort food Heavy carryout and delivery business Positioned in a busy retail center with complementary neighboring tenants
Franchise Opportunity
Franchise Resale
Reason for Selling
Too far from the owner's home.
Financials
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