Captain D’s and other seafood chains grow US footprint

Major seafood restaurant chain Captain D’s is adding several new locations this year, as are several other seafood-focused restaurants chains. In addition, Chipotle Mexican Grill announced a new concept that includes seafood dishes.

Nashville, Tennessee-based Captain D’s, which operates more than 540 restaurants, said it will open seven restaurants in early 2023. The company’s growth is being propelled by new smaller footprints, highly efficient double drive-thrus, and other factors, according to Captain D’s.

"Captain D's spent the last several years developing restaurant footprints that are well-suited to the increasingly competitive real estate market, and we now have an effective mix of small, medium and no dining room options to provide our franchisees with flexibility and substantial cost savings," Captain D's Chief Development Officer Brad Reed said. "Our brand's forward-thinking real estate strategy, paired with our seafood niche in the fast casual space, has positioned Captain D's for accelerated development in 2023." 

Captain D’s declined to provide more information on its sales and total restaurant openings and closings planned for 2023.

So far, new Captain D’s restaurants under construction include new and existing markets in Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Texas. Future locations will feature Captain D's popular Express, 22- and 44-seat designs and a double drive-thru, “which boasts shortened wait times and increased efficiency,” the company said.

“Captain D's is also continuing to successfully convert vacant restaurant properties, with four completed last year and three cost-effective conversions currently underway in Georgia markets,” the company said.

Openings in the last few months of 2022 included new restaurants in Gulfport, Mississippi; Fort Worth, Texas; Humble, Texas; and Columbus, Ohio; which marked a second Express opening for the brand.

Express is Captain D's 960-square foot prototype that features a drive-thru and walk-up window but no dining room. It debuted earlier last year in the Atlanta, Georgia market with a streamlined selection of core menu items and a kitchen design that assists with quicker cook times and a faster drive-thru. 

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Photo courtesy of Captain D’s