Ted’s Fried Clams

SHAPLEIGH, Maine — Ted’s Fried Clams, the legendary seafood destination that started in 1950, will reopen on Friday, May 1, 2026, under the ownership of Joe Christopher of Upward Management Group, Rob Orr and son Matt Orr of Shapleigh Marine, and Roger Zeghibe of the Beantown Pub.

The announcement marks a homecoming for Upward founder Joe Christopher, whose first job as a teenager in the 1980s was at Ted’s working for Harry and John Mavrakos.

“Ted’s Fried Clams holds a special place in my heart,” said Christopher. “Harry and John Mavrakos taught me the fundamentals of hard work and hospitality when I was just starting out. I’m so excited to come back to this iconic Maine business, 40+ years later after first working there, to help revive it and share it with the next generation.”

Founded in 1950 by Theodore and Grace Mavrakos as a small roadside clam shack on Route 109, Ted’s grew into a regional institution under three generations of family ownership. After closing in 2023, the restaurant’s future remained uncertain – until Christopher and his business partners stepped in to restore the beloved brand.

Under its new ownership, Ted’s will undergo interior improvements while maintaining the classic character that made it a Maine landmark. The previous owner, John Mavrakos, is working with the new team to bring back the original Ted’s Fried Clams recipes and techniques that made it a great Maine eating establishment for 75 years!

The reopened Ted’s will feature classic menu items, vintage recipes, take-out, and lunch counter service. It will also offer new healthy options, including fresh salads and vegan dishes from Veggie Life Foods of Wells, Maine. Ted’s plans to add a full bar and improved ordering technology. The revival will also bring dozens of jobs back to the Shapleigh area.

“At Upward, we believe in investing in communities, not just buildings,” Christopher added. “Just as we do with all our businesses, we’ll partner with local organizations, host fundraisers, and sponsor youth sports teams. Ted’s has always been more than just a restaurant. It’s been a cornerstone of this community, and we’re honored to help write its next chapter.”

Christopher, who attended the local Sanford High School, built Upward Management Group from humble beginnings. His entrepreneurial career began with his founding of Three Rivers Whitewater in The Forks in 1997. Today, Upward operates businesses across Maine in hospitality, outdoor recreation, food service, and Mainely Provisions grocery stores – all supported by a shared service model that provides year-round stability in seasonal markets. Upward Management Group offers a variety of services including: Consulting, Accounting, Marketing, Human Resources, and Restaurant & Hotel Management.

Upward has a proven track record of breathing new life into historic Maine hospitality businesses. The company successfully reopened the Sugarloaf Inn in 2018, $3 Deweys in 2019, Saltwater Grille in 2020, and The Porthole in 2022.

Ted’s Fried Clams will reopen Friday, May 1, 2026, pending local and state approvals, at its original location in the lakes region on Route 109, Shapleigh. More details about hours, employment opportunities, and grand opening festivities will be announced in the coming weeks.