Luke’s Lobster — Fantastic B Corps

Luke’s Lobster is one of the biggest restaurant companies to certify as a B Corporation in 2018. I’m certain that this sentence has made them blush as red as the crustaceans on their menu, too. This B Corp prides itself on being able to bring the sea to the city. The ocean literally comes to your plate via tasty lobster rolls, clam chowder, bread bowls, and more mouthwatering bites.

Beyond the food, Luke’s Lobster is notable for being Maine’s first vertically integrated seafood company. They have more than 20 restaurants in various locations, a processing and distribution facility, and are a founding member of the Tenants Harbor Fisherman’s Co-op. Ben Conniff serves as the B Corp’s co-founder, and is anchored in the company’s commitment to sustainably-sourced seafood. Grab a lobster roll and read on to find out more about Ben and his B Corp.

The simple mission behind our business.

“We started Luke’s Lobster because we wanted to bring the best seafood in the world to people who have never tried it. We work tirelessly to fortify our coastal communities and protect our oceans for the next generation. ”

How Luke’s Lobster successfully swam upstream in the seafood industry.

“Our biggest success is our vertical integration. We started as a tiny restaurant with family and friends in the lobster business. Now, we buy directly from lobstermen we know by name. We control our product all the way from the dock to the plate. It means we’re in control of how every stakeholder is treated, how every step of the process is managed, and we’re able to be fully transparent about the story of every roll. We’re making a real difference in the seafood industry now, which we’re very proud of. ”

We are able to “B The Change” with the help of fishermen.

“Luke’s only buys from fishermen following sustainable practices. We reward them by helping for lobstermen coops and committing in advance to large quantity lobster buys at fair prices. We also assist in bait purchasing. Our B Corp gives back to programs that benefit the health of both the oceans and the communities that depend on them.”

That moment when everyone believes in what you’re doing.

“It’s just great to know when you get out of bed in the morning that you’re working to achieve a greater mission. This feeling is even better when you realize everyone around you all day is motivated by the same thing! The restaurant industry can be back-breaking. It’s so much more fulfilling when you see all your stakeholders, your community, and your environment benefit from the work that you do.”

If you want to become a B Corp…

“Start your business with the B Corp evaluation in mind. This establishes the rigor of documentation that is necessary for a B Corp. It’s also for investment due diligence, government red tape, and many other things businesses struggle with. It really allows you to back up your claims with policies. Being a B Corp means building programs to ensure your team never cuts corners on your values.”

We believe the B Corporation future is bright — very bright.

“We’ve been one of the biggest restaurant companies to certify as a B Corp. So many big names have also been certifying recently. These include Stumptown, Athleta, and Sir Kensington’s. When I walked through an average supermarket yesterday I was able to choose my boxed cookie mix, my milk, and my detergent all by the B Corp label. The momentum is there, and the ‘Vote Every Day’ campaign is an amazing way to get the general public talking and recognizing the importance of this movement.”

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About Ben Conniff, Co-Founder, Luke’s Lobster

Luke’s Lobster first opened its doors in the East Village in 2009. The company brings traceable, sustainable seafood to guests across the country. They work directly with fishermen to hand pick the best seafood, bring it straight to their own seafood company and then ship directly to their shacks. Cutting out the middleman means better tasting lobster, crab and shrimp for foodies to enjoy. It also means a fairer price for the fishermen. Today, through a partnership and contributions to The Ocean Foundation, Luke’s Lobster works to support the coastal communities by funding activities that keep waters healthy and fishing communities strong. In 2018, Luke’s Lobster became a certified B Corporation. This certification represents the company’s commitment to their team, fishermen, communities, and environment.