Captain D's
Food & Beverage · Fast Food
Description
What is Captain D's?
What sets Captain D's apart is their unwavering commitment to quality and freshness. Their Famous Batter Dipped Fish is hand-dipped daily in a proprietary batter that creates the perfect crispy, golden-brown coating. Beyond their classic fish offerings, the menu features a diverse selection of seafood options, including grilled choices for health-conscious customers, wild-caught salmon, and their popular lobster rolls.
The restaurant's dedication to customer satisfaction extends beyond the kitchen. Captain D's locations are known for their clean, welcoming atmospheres and exceptional customer service. Many locations feature comfortable dining rooms with a maritime theme, making it an ideal spot for both quick meals and relaxed family dinners.
Each restaurant prepares its sides fresh daily, from their famous hush puppies to their creamy coleslaw. The combination of quality ingredients, careful preparation, and generous portions has helped Captain D's build a loyal customer base that spans generations.
Whether you're craving their traditional batter-dipped fish, seeking healthier grilled options, or looking to satisfy your seafood cravings without breaking the bank, Captain D's delivers consistent quality and value that keeps customers coming back. Their success in maintaining long-term customer relationships and steady growth demonstrates the enduring appeal of their business model and brand.
- 55+ years of seafood restaurant expertise since 1969
- 540 locations nationwide demonstrating proven scalability
- Specialized seafood menu differentiation in fast food sector
- Competitive revenue performance within fast food industry
- Established fast food brand with mature operational systems
- Proven multi-unit development opportunities for qualified operators
Location Analysis
Where Captain D's wins
The franchise's impressive 4.75 average rating across numerous customer reviews indicates exceptional operational consistency and customer satisfaction, particularly in core markets. This high rating suggests successful adaptation to regional tastes and preferences, especially in southeastern states where seafood consumption patterns align well with the menu offering.
Ideal locations for Captain D's typically feature high-visibility sites in suburban areas with strong daytime population, proximity to retail corridors, and demographics aligned with value-conscious families. The franchise shows particular success in mid-sized markets where competition from other seafood-focused quick-service restaurants is limited.
Significant expansion opportunities exist in the Mid-Atlantic and Midwest regions, where the brand has proven successful but remains underrepresented. Markets with similar demographics to existing successful locations in Georgia and Tennessee should be prioritized for expansion, particularly in states adjacent to current strong markets.
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Financial Analysis
The numbers behind Captain D's
Financing partners
Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees
Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.
FranFund
CRF USA
Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.
First Bank of the Lake
Pension Pros
FDD Item 7
Initial investment range
Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $1,159,500 to $1,354,200. The midpoint $1,256,850 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.
FDD Item 19
Average gross sales
According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Captain D's has an average gross revenue of $1M. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)
Growth over time
Franchise footprint
2024 Franchise Disclosure
FDD documents
Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Captain D's's 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.
Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.
Buyer FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The initial investment for a Captain D's franchise typically ranges between $1,159,500.00 and $1,354,200.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.
Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
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