Shuckin’ Shack’s 3rd Annual Fresh & Raw Tour Raises $75,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society
The month-long event spanned 16 cities, combining live music and community spirit to support vital cancer research and patient advocacy.
Shuckin’ Shack, the 18-unit oyster bar franchise, wrapped up its 2024 Fresh & Raw Tour Together with Truist with a tremendous outpouring of support, raising $75,000 for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS). For the third year, the event brought communities together with free concerts, delicious seafood and a shared mission to combat blood cancer.
This year’s tour spanned 16 cities across the United States and featured Nashville singer-songwriters Dave Gibson and Charlie Argo. Their performances provided a mix of heartfelt storytelling and soulful music, creating memorable evenings for attendees while spotlighting an important cause.
“This year, there was a lot of excitement around the tour,” said CEO Jonathan Weathington. “There were things outside of our control — hurricanes, tropical storms — but the good show turnouts and how well it was received by the customer base, along with the excitement from franchisees, made it clear how important this tour has become to who we are as a brand.”
The Fresh & Raw Tour has become a defining event for Shuckin’ Shack, fostering connections between franchisees, customers and their communities. The franchise’s partnership with LLS remains deeply personal as Co-Founder Matt Piccinin continues to inspire the network with his own experience as a leukemia survivor.
Throughout the tour, stories of resilience and community support came to life. In Carolina Beach, North Carolina, one family returned for their second year after discovering the event by chance in 2023. This time, they attended intentionally, bringing additional family members with them.
“Ray, the father of the family, was just spending a weekend with his wife and family on Carolina Beach and randomly found our event in 2023,” said Darren Keeler, Vice President of Marketing. “He had just found out that he had cancer a week before that, and they were all about supporting the cause. This year, they booked hotel rooms and their entire family flew in from Denver. They actually moved to Wilmington for the cancer treatments, and they were there the entire seven hours of our event, just drinking, eating, having fun, supporting the cause and giving out green bracelets for his cancer.”
Sarah Meriam, Chief Operating Officer, added, “There were so many heartfelt stories throughout the tour. Seeing people return with tour shirts from previous years and looking forward to this event — especially in communities without other LLS support — was incredibly moving. It’s a powerful association for our brand and I’m grateful to be part of it.”
Customers shared similar sentiments, emphasizing how the Fresh & Raw Tour created a space for connection, support, and celebration while raising awareness for an important cause.
“The Fresh and Raw Tour was incredible!,” said attendee Ray Gaimara. “The vibe was amazing, the music was so much fun and the Shuckin’ Shack staff was absolutely phenomenal. Seeing the community come together to support such an important cause was truly heartwarming. As someone diagnosed with lymphoma in 2023, the reason behind this event means so much to me and so many others.”
Franchisees also highlighted the impact of the tour on their teams and local communities. Events were filled with moments of generosity, from customers donating at the door to employees volunteering their time. The shared effort underscored the meaningful connections forged through the event.
“I was really proud of our employees and of our customers,” said Salisbury, North Carolina-based Franchise Owner Larry Roth. “It brings us together. It’s also a feel-good thing. Our employees rally around it too; some of them work for free on those days and some of them donate quite a bit. It warms my heart to see everybody growing in the same direction.”
The $75,000 raised this year will go toward LLS’s work to advance cancer research, provide patient support and advocate for those battling blood cancers. The funds raised through the tour contribute to research that not only benefits blood cancers but also informs treatments for a variety of other cancers.
“Blood cancer research has actually led to drugs that treat almost every cancer because of the advancements made,” said Piccinin. “It’s incredible to see how these funds are making a difference not just for leukemia patients but for so many others battling cancer.”
As the tour grows year after year, Shuckin’ Shack is already looking forward to the future. Franchise leaders are exploring new ways to enhance the event, from refining the concert experience to finding creative opportunities for greater fundraising success.
“We’re always trying to make it better,” said Weathington. “We have a number of ideas to improve internally and make the experience better for the franchisees by taking their feedback on tweaks and revisions. Externally, we’re focused on making it even more of a big deal. It’s our goal to do it again next year, make it better and raise more money. There’s nothing off the table to achieve that.”
The Fresh & Raw Tour reflects what Shuckin’ Shack is all about — bringing people together, spreading joy and supporting a good cause. Events like this show the brand’s dedication to its communities and leave a memorable impact on everyone involved.
The cost to open a Shuckin’ Shack franchise ranges from $472,000 to $1,416,420. For more information visit: www.theshuckinshack.com.
ABOUT SHUCKIN’ SHACK
Offering a “lifestyle experience,” Shuckin’ Shack Oyster Bar creates an environment that encourages guests to grab a seat, relax and take their taste buds on a trip to the coast; after all, life is too short for bland drinks and boring bars! The original Carolina Beach, NC Shack, which was just 900-square-feet, was launched in 2007 with a plan to become the go-to local hangout for people of all ages. A place where friends and family can enjoy fresh, delicious meals, cold beer, and craft cocktails in an environment that exudes fun and relaxation, Shuckin’ Shack offers exceptional seafood and creative drinks that will make guests question why they ever settled for ordinary bar offerings.
Thanks to its bold flavors and impeccable vibes, Shuckin’ Shack has continued to grow. In 2014, the brand began franchising and has since expanded to 18 units across six states. To learn more about Shuckin’ Shack, visit http://www.theshuckinshack.com.