Captain D's is a fast-food franchise specializing in seafood, offering a variety of fish, shrimp, and chicken dishes, along with sides and desserts.
KEY FRANCHISE STATS
Franchisees
?
229
+
1%
1%
Franchise fee
?
$35,000
Investment
?
$662,000 - $1,862,000
Revenue (AUV)
?
Undisclosed
$1,042,000
+
-3.1%
-3.1%
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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.
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The initial investment required for a Captain D’s franchise is
$662,000 - $1,862,000.
That is the total cost you would need to finance if you were to start this franchise.
These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.
Captain D’s provides four eligible standalone restaurant prototypes in Item 7: the 44-seat Prototype, 32-seat Prototype, Encap with Drive-through, and Inline.
Restaurant Format
Initial Investment Range
44-seat Prototype
$1,453,000 to $1,862,100
32-seat Prototype
$1,325,000 to $1,638,800
Encap with Drive-through
$752,000 to $1,185,500
Inline
$662,000 to $1,040,500
The following table presents the estimated expenditures for the 44-seat Prototype.
For further details concerning the listed costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Franchise Fee
$ 35,000
Real Estate
Building and Leasehold Improvements
$ 925,000 to $1,200,000
Training Expenses
$ 25,000 to $ 46,000
Equipment
$ 375,000 to $ 415,000
Computer Systems
$ 31,000 to $ 34,100
Inventory
$ 6,000 to $ 8,000
Miscellaneous Opening Expenses
$ 5,000 to $ 9,000
Insurance
$ 11,000 to $ 25,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months
$ 40,000 to $ 90,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$1,453,000 to $1,862,100
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Captain D’s provides four eligible standalone restaurant prototypes in Item 7: the 44-seat Prototype, 32-seat Prototype, Encap with Drive-through, and Inline.
Restaurant Format
Initial Investment Range
44-seat Prototype
$1,453,000 to $1,862,100
32-seat Prototype
$1,325,000 to $1,638,800
Encap with Drive-through
$752,000 to $1,185,500
Inline
$662,000 to $1,040,500
The following table presents the estimated expenditures for the 44-seat Prototype.
For further details concerning the listed costs, refer to the Franchise Disclosure Document (Item 7).
Type of Expenditure
Amount
Franchise Fee
$ 35,000
Real Estate
Building and Leasehold Improvements
$ 925,000 to $1,200,000
Training Expenses
$ 25,000 to $ 46,000
Equipment
$ 375,000 to $ 415,000
Computer Systems
$ 31,000 to $ 34,100
Inventory
$ 6,000 to $ 8,000
Miscellaneous Opening Expenses
$ 5,000 to $ 9,000
Insurance
$ 11,000 to $ 25,000
Additional Funds - 3 Months
$ 40,000 to $ 90,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment
$1,453,000 to $1,862,100
Franchise Disclosure Document
Below is Captain D’s's 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document. Sign up for free to view the document.
Number of units
Captain D’s had 518 total units in 2026, of which 229 were franchised-owned and 289 company-owned.
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.
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