Joe's Crab Shack
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Restaurant |
| Founded | 1991 in Houston, Texas, United States |
| Founder | Richard K. Park, Ed Newman |
| Headquarters | Houston, Texas , United States |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Seafood, casual dining |
| Owner | Landry's, Inc. |
| Parent | Landry's, Inc. |
| Website | www |
Joe's Crab Shack is a casual dining seafood chain in the United States, characterized by its beach-inspired theme. It was established in Houston, Texas, in 1991 by founders Richard K. Park and Ed Newman. The chain maintains multiple venues nationwide.
History
The inaugural Joe's Crab Shack location debuted in Houston in 1991. Early in 1994, Landry's Restaurants, Inc. purchased the original restaurant, subsequently expanding the brand to include three outlets in Houston and one in Dallas by 1995.
In November 2006, ownership transferred to J.H. Whitney & Company for $192 million, with associated liabilities totaling $225 million. JCS Holdings, LLC—renamed Ignite Restaurant Group in 2009—managed Joe's Crab Shack alongside Brickhouse Tavern and Tap. By 2012, Ignite operated 130 Joe's locations when it became a publicly traded company. The corporate headquarters were situated near Houston's Westchase District.
A Roseville, Minnesota branch encountered public criticism in March 2016 due to controversial decorations referencing a historical execution. This led to formal apologies and the eventual shutdown of the site amid broader operational difficulties for the company.
Ignite sought bankruptcy protection on June 6, 2017. Subsequently, Landry's repurchased Joe's Crab Shack at auction for $57 million in August 2017. As part of a restructuring initiative, 40 restaurants were closed simultaneously. Landry's intends to revitalize and expand the brand moving forward.
As of October 2025, Joe's Crab Shack operates 15 restaurants across seven states.
See also
External links
- Articles with short description
- Landry's Inc.
- Restaurants established in 1991
- Seafood restaurants in the United States
- Theme restaurants
- Restaurants in Houston
- Restaurant chains in the United States
- 1991 establishments in Texas
- American companies established in 1991
- 2006 mergers and acquisitions
- 2012 initial public offerings
- Companies that filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2017
- 2017 mergers and acquisitions
- Fast-food seafood restaurants
- Fast-food franchises