Captain D's Expands Its Presence in the UK with New Location in Kent

Captain D's Takes a Big Step in UK Expansion

Captain D's, the iconic American seafood and chicken restaurant brand, is making waves in the UK with the grand opening of its second location at The Mall Maidstone in Kent. This notable opening comes on the heels of a vibrant launch of its first restaurant in Broadstairs just a few months earlier, in October 2025.

Recognized for its quick service and high-quality menu, Captain D's has been officially recognized as the leading seafood chain as part of Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 for eight consecutive years. The latest Maidstone restaurant opened its doors on December 22, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the brand's international growth strategy.

The new restaurant, operated by CD's Holdings—the brand's primary franchise partner in the UK—features a counter service model located within the food court of The Mall Maidstone. Patrons will find 48 comfortable seating options, providing a relaxed dining atmosphere.

Menu and Customer Reception

Echoing the menu that debuted successfully at the Broadstairs restaurant, the Maidstone location offers a selection of popular dishes that have garnered positive feedback from customers. Highlights include Captain D's signature fish coated in a crispy batter, alongside chicken sandwiches and fish burgers that reflect local preferences. One particularly celebrated aspect of the menu is the Nashville-inspired flavors, which have resonated well with British customers, exceeding expectations and enhancing overall satisfaction.

Naveed Chattha, spokesperson for CD's Holdings, stated, "The reception of Captain D's in the UK has been outstanding. Customers seem to have instantly connected with the flavors, food quality, and overall dining experience. The rapid opening of our second location post-Broadstairs is a testament to the brand’s strength and the growth potential we're seeing across the UK."

Performance metrics from the UK sites mirror the brand's past successes in the United States. The classic battered fish continues to lead sales, bolstered by other stellar items such as the chicken sandwiches and fish burgers.

Strategic Growth Plans

Hair Parra, the brand's Senior Vice President of International Operations and Development, expressed optimism regarding the brand's expansion strategy. "Our launch in the UK has validated our international growth strategy. Captain D's is well-received and is poised for significant growth not only in the UK but also beyond, thanks to our compelling menu, operational simplicity, and strong unit economics. The consumer response we’ve observed so early gives us great confidence to proceed with our expansion plans."

Looking ahead, Captain D's aims to open its third UK location in the next six months, contingent on final site selection. The master franchisee is actively seeking qualified local entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators eager to introduce Captain D's to more markets within the UK and all over Europe.

About Captain D's

Founded in 1969 and based in Nashville, Tennessee, Captain D's operates more than 530 locations in 23 states across the USA and Canada, making it the foremost fast-casual seafood chain in the country. The brand has earned recognition not only for being number one in seafood according to Entrepreneur’s Franchise 500 but also for being hailed as the top seafood chain in the QSR 50 rankings.

Captain D's specializes in providing high-quality seafood and chicken at reasonable prices within a welcoming environment. The extensive menu includes freshly prepared seafood, the beloved batter-fried fish, premium grilled options like shrimp and salmon, alongside hushpuppies, desserts, and freshly brewed coffee. As it continues to grow in Europe, the brand's future looks bright, with the UK serving as a crucial launchpad for further expansion.

For more information, visit Captain D's UK or Captain D's Franchising.