Captain D's Expands in the UK with Its Second Location

Captain D's Expands in the UK

Captain D's, a renowned American chain specializing in seafood and chicken, has taken a significant step in its international journey by inaugurating its second restaurant in Maidstone, Kent. This opening follows the successful debut of its first UK location in Broadstairs just months earlier, demonstrating the brand's rapid growth in this market.

Located in The Mall Maidstone, the new restaurant can accommodate 48 customers and features a bar-style service in the mall's dining area. This flexible development format reflects Captain D's strategic approach to restaurant placement, allowing it to thrive in various non-traditional settings.

The menu at Maidstone mirrors the offerings that have captivated customers at the Broadstairs establishment. Early feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, with local patrons praising both the food quality and the restaurant's contemporary design. As Head of Marketing for CD's Holdings, the master franchisor for Captain D's in the UK, Naveed Chattha expressed his enthusiasm for the brand's reception thus far.

"The response to Captain D's in the UK has been exceptional," he stated. "Customers have connected immediately with our food and overall dining experience. Our second location opening shortly after Broadstairs underscores the brand's strength and the growth potential we see throughout the UK."

Initial performance metrics from the UK reflect the success patterns seen in the US, with the popular batter-fried fish leading sales. The chicken sandwich and fish burger are also performing well, but it's the Nashville-inspired flavors that have sparked particular enthusiasm, exceeding expectations from the outset.

Hair Parra, Senior Vice President of Operations and International Development, noted that the promising early results validate the brand's international growth strategy. “Our launch in the UK has confirmed what we’ve seen in other global markets: Captain D's is thriving in new territories,” Parra remarked. “We offer a unique menu that combines operational simplicity and strong unit profitability, and witnessing such a positive consumer response gives us great confidence to continue expanding across the UK and beyond."

With the opening of the Maidstone location, CD's Holdings has plans for a third restaurant in the UK within the next six months, pending site selection. The franchise also actively seeks qualified local entrepreneurs and multi-unit operators who are keen to introduce Captain D's to other UK markets and throughout Europe.

About Captain D's

Founded in 1969 and based in Nashville, Tennessee, Captain D's operates over 530 restaurants across 23 states in the US and Canada. It is recognized as the leading casual fast-food seafood restaurant in the nation, having been named the number one seafood chain for eight consecutive years by Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list. Captain D's is known for offering high-quality seafood at affordable prices in a welcoming atmosphere. Its menu features a diverse range of seafood options, freshly prepared entrees, and the flagship battered fish. In addition to seafood, the restaurant serves high-quality grilled products like shrimp and salmon, alongside corn fritters, desserts, and freshly brewed coffee. As Captain D's continues to expand in Europe, the opening of its first restaurants in the UK in 2025 marks an exciting new chapter for the brand. For more information, visit captainds.co.uk or captaindsfranchising.com.