What it takes
Own a top franchise business
In the restaurant industry, Captain D’s stands at the top — in a category of one. Now’s your chance to take advantage of this franchise opportunity and be part of a brand with a proven track record that’s expanding across the globe.
Ready to become a franchisee? See if you have what it takes.
Qualified candidates must have
Liquid assets of
$ 0
Minimum net worth
$ 0
Fees and investments
Franchise fee
$ 0
Conversions starting as low as
$ 0
New builds starting at
$ 0
Estimated initial investment
| Expenditures | Low | High |
|---|---|---|
| Franchise & Development Fee1 | $35,000 | |
| Real Estate2 | Costs Vary by Area | |
| Building & Leasehold Improvements3 | $550,000 | $815,000 |
| Training Expenses4 | $25,000 | $46,000 |
| Equipment5 | $201,600 | $292,100 |
| Computer Systems6 | $25,000 | $34,100 |
| Inventory7 | $6,000 | $8,000 |
| Miscellaneous Opening Expenses8 | $5,000 | $9,000 |
| Insurance9 | $11,000 | $25,000 |
| Additional Funds — 3 Months10 | $40,000 | $90,000 |
| Total Investment | $898,600 | $1,354,200 |
- Franchise Fee. The Franchise Fee equals $35,000. Under our Veterans Program, we also are offering a reduced initial franchise fee for the veteran’s first restaurant. You must pay one-half of the Franchisee Fee as a non-refundable Development Fee when you sign a Development Agreement for each restaurant scheduled for development. You must pay the other half of the Franchise Fee when you sign the Franchise Agreement for each restaurant, after we have accepted the site you select for the restaurant and prior to the start of construction. We have no obligation to refund the Franchise Fee or the Development Fee.
- Real Estate. The estimated initial investment amount does not include the costs of location selection, land acquisition (by purchase or lease), land preparation, landscaping and other land improvements, or any associated financing costs. You will have responsibility for buying or leasing the real estate on which you intend to locate your Captain D’s restaurant. The cost of the real estate will vary greatly from location to location, and we have made no effort to state cost or average rental information because of the wide variances involved. The Captain D’s restaurant prototypes require a lot containing at least .60 acre for the 44-seat prototype, at least .50 acre for the 22-seat prototype, and at least .35 acre for the express prototype.
- Building and Leasehold Improvements. The 44-seat prototype contains approximately 1,970 square feet and 44 customer seats, which can expand to 2,400 square feet and 62 customer seats in appropriate circumstances. The 32-seat prototype contains approximately 1,500 square feet and 32 customer seats. The express prototype contains approximately 980 square feet with no dining room seating. The inline or endcap prototype contains approximately 1,600 square feet and 22 customer seats. If your location requires the use of union labor, your building costs will exceed the above amounts by a significant amount. If you convert an existing building, your building costs generally should fall below or in the lower range of the costs given.
- Training Expenses. You must pay for the costs incurred during the training of your employees, including room and board and employee salaries, wages, and fringe benefits during training and pre-opening. The cost of those items will vary. We pay for the cost of our opening team for your restaurant but will charge you for any travel and lodging expenses of the team that exceed $8,000.
- Equipment. Prices for equipment will vary for each restaurant because of the various local building codes and health requirements. Equipment includes kitchen equipment, such as a broiler, fryers, refrigerators, freezers, and sinks; trade fixtures, booths, tables, and chairs; and other equipment used to operate a restaurant.
- Computer Systems. The above amounts include the cost of the hardware and software for your required point-of-sale and computer systems. Those systems include a back-office computer, a tablet, up to four point-of-sale computers, and up to six order monitors. Your costs will vary depending on the number of terminals and monitors you purchase for your
- Miscellaneous Opening Expenses. You also must pay for incorporation fees, legal fees, business license fees, and utility deposits. The cost of those items will vary.
- Insurance. See Item 8 of this Disclosure Document for information regarding our insurance requirements.
- Additional Funds – Three Months. The above amounts represent an estimate of your initial start-up expenses (including staff payroll costs) during the first three months after the opening of your Captain D’s restaurant. The estimate of additional funds does not include an owner’s salary or draw. The figures represent estimates, and you may have additional expenses starting your business.
- Totals. We relied on our experience in developing company-owned Captain D’s restaurants during the past three years to compile the foregoing estimates. The various third parties with whom you do business will determine the method and timing of the payments to them and whether they will refund any of those payments. We do not finance any part of your initial investment.
How to become a Captain D’s franchise restaurant owner
Initial Call
We'll kick things off with a phone call so we can get to know you, and you can get to know us.
Review FDD
Learn about our franchise offering.
Application
Fill out our online application so we can do a background check and learn more about you to see if we’d be a good fit.
Market Visit
Come to our corporate office or our sales team will come to you.
Validation
Talk with franchisees for validation, and find out what they like about Captain D’s.
Final Call
Final call with our Franchise Development Manager to confirm we are a good fit.
Sign Agreement
Once we determine we are a good fit, you’ll sign your Franchise Agreement.
Let's Go
Let’s start finding you the perfect location!
