Captain D’s Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

KEY FRANCHISE STATS

All you need to know about this franchise in a snapshot

Number of franchises

228

Investment required

$899,000 - $1,354,000

Revenue (AUV)

$1,075,000

Last 3 years unit growth

-7%

Initial franchise fee

$35,000

Operating Profit

16.6%

Captain D's: A Leader in Quick-Service Seafood Dining

Captain D's, a prominent name in the quick-service seafood restaurant industry, began its journey in Donelson, Tennessee, in 1969. Since then, it has grown into a major player, renowned for its extensive menu featuring fried fish, shrimp, chicken dishes, and a variety of seasonal and regional seafood specialties.

Since starting its franchise operations in 1969, Captain D's has been committed to delivering high-quality casual dining at quick-service prices. The menu includes fresh-grilled options and a wide range of dishes to meet the changing preferences and dietary needs of its customers.

With its headquarters in Nashville, Tennessee, Captain D's has carved out a strong presence in the fast-casual dining sector. The brand is known for its innovative restaurant designs and dedication to quality, which have driven positive same-store sales growth consistently.

Captain D's is on a growth trajectory, offering both single and multi-unit franchise opportunities in desirable locations. The brand seeks franchise partners who are passionate about the business and focused on profitability, ideally with prior experience in restaurant operations. Franchisees benefit from comprehensive support, including initial training and ongoing operational assistance, to ensure the success of each franchise location.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure	44-seat Prototype	22-seat Prototype	Express Prototype
Franchise Fee	$35,000	$35,000	$35,000
Real Estate	(Note 2)	(Note 2)	(Note 2)
Building and Leasehold Improvements	$750,000 to $815,000	$650,000 to $735,000	$550,000 to $625,000
Training Expenses	$25,000 to $46,000	$25,000 to $46,000	$25,000 to $46,000
Equipment	$256,500 to $292,100	$237,300 to $273,470	$201,600 to $226,200
Computer Systems	$31,000 to $34,100	$28,000 to $30,800	$25,000 to $27,500
Inventory	$6,000 to $8,000	$6,000 to $8,000	$6,000 to $8,000
Miscellaneous Opening Expenses	$5,000 to $9,000	$5,000 to $9,000	$5,000 to $9,000
Insurance	$11,000 to $25,000	$11,000 to $25,000	$11,000 to $25,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months	$40,000 to $90,000	$40,000 to $90,000	$40,000 to $90,000
Total	$1,159,500 to $1,354,200	$1,037,300 to $1,252,270	$898,600 to $1,091,700

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Franchise Disclosure Document

Training

Captain D’s ensures its franchisees are thoroughly prepared for success through a comprehensive training program that includes:

Management Training: Each Captain D’s franchise is required to have a minimum of three managers who have completed the brand's extensive management training programs. This training is designed to ensure that every restaurant adheres to the brand’s high standards of operation.

Employee Training: All employees participate in detailed training programs to equip them with the skills necessary to provide excellent customer service and maintain efficient restaurant operations.

Counseling and Advisory Services: Captain D’s offers ongoing support through counseling and advisory services covering various aspects of the business, including equipment selection, restaurant layout, advertising strategies, and the introduction of new products.

Computer Systems: Franchisees must invest in modern point-of-sale and computer-based training systems to streamline operations and enhance efficiency. The estimated cost for these systems ranges from $25,000 to $34,100.

Territory Protection

Captain D’s, LLC provides franchisees the right to operate a Captain D’s restaurant at a specified location. These rights are confined to the designated site, with no extension to a wider exclusive territory. This means franchisees have the authority to run their business at a particular location but do not possess broader territorial exclusivity. Their operational rights are strictly limited to the approved location.

This approach allows Captain D’s to strategically expand its presence without the constraints of exclusive territories, ensuring that growth opportunities remain open for new franchisees. It also encourages each franchisee to focus on maximizing the potential of their specific location, knowing that their success hinges on the quality of service and operations within their immediate area.

By limiting franchise rights to designated locations, Captain D’s can maintain consistent brand standards and operational efficiency across all its restaurants. This strategy fosters healthy competition among franchisees, driving them to continually enhance their customer offerings and overall performance.