Captain D’s ‘Sea’zes New Opportunities to Grow in 2023

Fast-casual seafood chain Captain D’s expects to capitalize on its new formats to grow its presence in new and existing markets.

Already this year, the brand says it has restaurants under construction in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee and Texas, and seven restaurants are expected to debut early this year. A new franchisee also recently signed on in Cleveland, though details of the development agreement were not disclosed.

Future locations, Captain D’s says, will feature its express, 22- and 44-seat designs, and a double drive-thru.

The 960-square-foot express prototype—the second of which opened in Columbus, Ohio last year—has a drive-thru and walk-up window, but no dining room. The prototype features “a streamlined selection of core menu items and a kitchen design that assists with quicker cook times and a faster drive-thru.”

Learn more about Captain D’s express prototype and more in FER’s Q&A with Larry Jones, Captain D’s vice president of construction.

By comparison, a standard Captain D’s is about 1,964 square feet, with 44 seats.

A 44-seat exterior and dining room (below) are shown.

Further, to achieve cost-effective construction, Captain D’s continues to convert vacant restaurant properties; last year, it completed four conversions and it currently has three underway in Georgia.

Captain D’s currently has over 540 restaurants across 23 states.