A Joe's Crab Shack branch in San Diego, CA. The building was initially a rowing club and was later converted into the restaurant.

 

Joe's Crab Shack is an American chain of beach-themed seafood casual dining restaurants owned by Ignite Restaurant Group. Founded in Houston, Texas, the restaurant now operates locations all across the country. It serves seafood and American cuisine. The restaurants also have a gift shop that sells facetious t-shirts featuring phrases advertising Joe's seafood choices. It is based in Houston, Texas.

 

History

Joe's Crab Shack opened its first location in Houston, Texas in 1991. Landry's Restaurants, Inc. purchased the original Joe's Crab Shack in Houston, Texas in early 1994 to convert it into a Landry's Restaurant. By 1995 the chain had grown to three locations in Houston and one in Dallas.

 

Today the brand includes a national chain of 120 restaurants in 28 states featuring a festive, but laid-back atmosphere. Many of the locations are on waterfront property with large patio seating areas, built to resemble an old beachfront property. Many locations include family friendly features such as a playground and an arcade in a few locations.

 

On November 17, 2006, Joe's was sold to J.H. Whitney & Company, a privately held company, operating as JCS Holdings, LLC. The sales price was $192 million including the assumption of liabilities of $225 million.

 

JCS Holdings changed their name to Ignite Restaurant Group in April 2009 and still operate the 113 existing Joe's Crab Shack and 16 BrickhouseTavern and Tap restaurants. The company is currently headquartered on Westpark Drive near the Westchase District of Houston, Texas.