Established
1969
Franchise Units
533
Minimum Investment
$709,300
Franchise Fee
$35,000
Total Investment Range
$1,231,400
Home Based
No
Description
Captain D’s is one of America’s most recognizable names in the fast-casual seafood industry — a trusted brand serving freshly prepared seafood for over five decades. Known for its golden-battered fish, crispy shrimp, and Southern-style sides, Captain D’s has built a loyal customer base that values flavor, affordability, and family-friendly dining.
The franchise has mastered the balance between a traditional seafood experience and modern quick-service convenience, making it a go-to choice for families and seafood lovers across the United States. With strong brand equity, streamlined operations, and proven profitability, Captain D’s continues to stand out as a dominant player in the quick-service seafood sector.
This franchise presents a strong business opportunity for entrepreneurs who want to join an iconic brand that’s expanding aggressively across the country with a winning recipe for success — delicious food, efficient systems, and dedicated franchisee support.
Why Invest in Captain D’s?
Zero Direct Competition: Captain D's dominates the fast-casual seafood space. Unlike the "burger wars," you won't find a seafood competitor on every corner, giving you a distinct market advantage.
Flexible Real Estate Prototypes: Whether it’s a 44-seat traditional build, a 22-seat Express model, or an "inline" endcap, the brand offers flexible footprints that reduce overhead and maximize ROI.
Conversion Experts: Captain D's is renowned for its ability to convert vacant restaurant spaces into thriving units, often saving franchisees up to 30% in startup costs compared to new builds.
Resilient Sales Performance: The brand has shown incredible stability, even during market downturns, thanks to a diverse menu that appeals to families, seniors, and health-conscious professionals.
Innovative Supply Chain: Their streamlined procurement ensures high-quality seafood is delivered at costs that remain competitive, protecting your bottom line.
Background
Industry Opportunity
The seafood industry is booming and is worth $870 billion.
Data shows that people are consuming much more fish than in previous decades.
The average worldwide per capita consumption of fish us 43 pounds per year, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations.
Brand Positioning
Captain D's is a great alternative to burgers and fries and has no direct competition in the fast causal sea food space.
Since sea food is such a versatile product, the company is able to have a great menu without adding kitchen complexity or cost for Franchise Owners.
Operational Advantages
The brand also has a streamlined supply chain that allows them to provide a high-quality product to customers.
Additionally, the brand monitors supplies to ensure quality for customers and franchisees.
Innovation & Cost Efficiency
The brand also adapts to the times and produces prototypes that reduce startup costs for franchise owners by up to 34 percent.
Even during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, the brand didn't permanently close any locations.
Conversion Expertise
The company is also known as a conversion expert who can quickly turn existing restaurants into a thriving seafood franchise.
If you have an available property already, the brand has the conversion expertise needed to turn that vacant property into a brand-new Captain D’s location.
By utilizing existing efficiencies, the company gets you up and running faster, with conversions taking a month quicker to open on average than new builds.
Founded: 1969
First Franchise: 1969
Units: 533
Industry Category: Fast Casual / Quick Service Restaurant (Seafood)
Headquarters: Nashville, Tennessee, USA
Canada: No
International: No
Support Training
Captain D’s takes pride in providing extensive franchisee support and training that ensures operational success from day one.
Pre-Launch Support
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Assistance with site selection, real estate analysis, and lease negotiations.
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Guidance on restaurant design, construction, and equipment procurement.
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Support in obtaining necessary permits, vendor connections, and local marketing setup.
Comprehensive Training
Franchisees and their management teams participate in an in-depth 6–8 week training program at Captain D’s University in Nashville. The training covers everything from restaurant operations, food preparation, safety, staffing, and customer service to marketing execution and financial management.
Operational Support
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Dedicated Field Business Consultants for on-site performance reviews and operational coaching.
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Regular updates on menu innovation, seasonal promotions, and cost optimization.
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Proprietary technology systems for POS, supply chain management, and reporting.
Marketing & Ongoing Support
Captain D’s provides national and regional marketing campaigns, PR strategies, and local advertising toolkits. Franchisees also receive access to the brand’s creative assets, digital marketing materials, and loyalty programs designed to increase repeat traffic and brand visibility.
Ideal Candidate
Captain D’s seeks franchisees who are:
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Passionate about hospitality and restaurant management
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Willing to follow a proven system
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Have business or multi-unit restaurant ownership experience (preferred but not required)
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Possess strong leadership and team-building skills
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Financially capable of meeting investment requirements
Financial Detail
Initial Franchise Fee: $35,000
Initial Investment: $709,300 - $1,231,400
Net Worth Requirement: $1,000,000
Cash Requirement: $350,000
Veteran Incentives: 50% off first-unit franchise fee; reduced royalty fee for first year
Royalty Fee: 4.5%
Ad Royalty Fee: 1.1%
Term of Agreement: 20 years