Captain D’s, a leading fast-casual seafood restaurant chain in the United States, has announced plans to enter the UK market with a 20-unit franchise agreement. The first restaurant is expected to open in the London area in 2025, marking the brand’s first venture into Europe.
The agreement was signed with a team of experienced restaurant operators and forms part of Captain D’s broader international expansion strategy. This move follows the company’s recent announcement of its entry into Canada, where it plans to establish restaurants in Toronto.
Phil Greifeld, CEO of Captain D’s, expressed enthusiasm about the brand’s UK debut. “We are highly enthused to bring our unique brand to the United Kingdom,” he said. “Captain D’s will bring our craveable seafood to the guests of the UK. Entering the UK with experienced restaurant operators underscores our commitment to thoughtful international growth. This is just the beginning of our expansion of Captain D’s quality seafood and hospitality to seafood lovers around the world.”
Expanding Globally with Local Expertise
Captain D’s sees the UK as a key market with significant growth potential. According to Hair Parra, Senior Vice President of International Operations and Development, the company is committed to ensuring its overseas expansion is sustainable and impactful.
“Our goal is not only to expand but to ensure we’re building something sustainable and impactful,” said Parra. “The UK is a key market with immense potential, and by working closely with our master franchisees, we’re confident that we’ll deliver exceptional results. This agreement is a testament to Captain D’s readiness to bring its proven model to the global stage.”
Adapting for Success
One of Captain D’s strengths lies in its adaptable restaurant prototypes, which enable the brand to cater to diverse real estate opportunities and customer preferences. Its versatile menu, which features a mix of seafood and chicken dishes, is designed to appeal to a wide range of cultural tastes, positioning the chain for success in the UK.
Captain D’s currently operates over 530 restaurants across 23 states in the US and is recognised as the number one seafood franchise in America by average unit volume.
Further Expansion Plans
The UK expansion is part of a broader push to bring Captain D’s to new international markets. The company is actively seeking master franchisees and multi-unit operators to lead its growth in Canada, Central and Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, the Philippines, Singapore, and Indonesia.
For more information about franchise opportunities, visit www.captaindsfranchising.com.
By launching in the UK, Captain D’s is taking another step toward its goal of becoming a global seafood leader, offering its signature dishes and renowned hospitality to customers worldwide.
