Made for Times Both Good and Bad

After inaugurating its franchise program in a challenging year, Outer Banks Boil Company is eyeing future success.

- CHLOE ARROJADO

Outer Banks Boil Company has been serving seafood boils for a decade, but its original purpose wasn't to feed anyone. It was just to get Matt Khouri a good grade in college. The concept began as a senior project, which Khouri didn't think would work in the real world-but it had more potential than he imagined. Since opening its first brick-and-mortar in 2016, the company has grown to four corporate locations with a fifth one on the way, and in 2020 the seafood catering-and-takeout business started pursuing franchise-driven growth. The concept turned out to be perfectly suited for the pandemic, thanks to its small real estate footprint and carryout and catering-only options. That helped stores continue operating on a 30% profit margin. Now that the company has sold seven franchise locations, Khouri reflects upon the hectic year, and what's in store for the future.

Your company came from a senior project. That's not something many people can say.