FDD-based analysis. Item-level data. No franchisor input.
Captain D's, LLC franchises Captain D's restaurants, a fast casual seafood chain built around freshly-prepared, high-quality seafood including signature hand-battered, fried fish, premium-quality grilled fish, shrimp, chicken, and home-style side dishes. The restaurants operate from prototypes offering indoor seating for 44 or 32 customers, or a smaller inline and endcap format seating up to 22, and typically employ 20 to 35 people. Captain D's competes with numerous national and local fast-food and full-service restaurants offering similar menus in a well-developed fast-food market.
Source: Entrepreneur 2026 ranking/profile data and Franchise Disclosure Document, rewritten by Zorzee
Every value here comes straight from the FDD; anything not yet source-verified stays blank rather than estimated. The Pro figures and full interpretation unlock with a Pro membership.
Every data point Zorzee tracks for this brand, in FDD Item order. Missing source data stays blank; Pro-only interpretation remains locked.
| Item | Data Point | Value | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Item 3 | Litigation Actions (total) | 0 actions disclosed | FDD Item 3 |
| Item 5 | Initial Franchise Fee | The Initial Franchise Fee is $35,000. | FDD Item 5 |
| Item 5 | Development Fee | The fee paid under the Development Agreement is called the Development Fee and the fee paid under -4- the Franchise Agreement is called the Franchise Fee. Both fees are non-refundable. The cost of your computer system that you will purchase from us ranges from $25,000 to $34,100, depending on the size of restaurant that you develop. | FDD Item 5 |
| Item 6 | Royalty Fee | 4.50% of gross sales | FDD Item 6 |
| Item 6 | National Media Fund | Pro | FDD Item 6 |
| Item 6 | Corporate Ad & Development Fund | Pro | FDD Item 6 |
| Item 6 | Total Ongoing Fee Burden | Pro | Calculated (Item 6) |
| Item 7 | Total Investment (low) | $662,000 | FDD Item 7 |
| Item 7 | Total Investment (high) | $1,862,100 | FDD Item 7 |
| Item 8 | Required Purchases (food/supplies) | Pro | FDD Item 8 |
| Item 11 | Franchisor Assistance | Pro | FDD Item 11 |
| Item 12 | Exclusive Territory | Pro | FDD Item 12 |
| Item 12 | Territory Size | Pro | FDD Item 12 |
| Item 15 | Operating Participation | Pro | FDD Item 15 |
| Item 17 | Initial Term Length | Pro | FDD Item 17(a) |
| Item 17 | Renewal Terms | Pro | FDD Item 17(b)-(c) |
| Item 17 | Required Remodel at Renewal | Pro | FDD Item 17(c) |
| Item 17 | Termination Triggers | Pro | FDD Item 17(f)-(h) |
| Item 17 | Transfer Fee | Pro | FDD Item 17(m), Item 6 |
| Item 17 | ROFR Provisions | Pro | FDD Item 17(n) |
| Item 17 | Post-Termination Non-Compete | Pro | FDD Item 17(r) |
| Item 19 | Revenue Metric Disclosed | Yes: Average Unit Metric $1,082,533 / Median Unit Metric $1,042,475 | FDD Item 19 |
| Item 20 | Total Franchised Units (2025) | 229 | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 20 | Company-Owned Units (2025) | 289 | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 20 | Total System Net Unit Growth (YoY) | -12 | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 20 | Terminations | Pro | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 20 | Agreements Signed, Not Yet Open | Pro | FDD Item 20 |
| Item 21 | Audited Financials | Pro | FDD Item 21 |
Each signal turns one part of the filing into a read a buyer can act on. Strength means the disclosed data is favorable. In Line means it is typical for the category. Deal-Specific means the term is populated but you still have to model it against your own deal. Concern means the disclosed data is a real risk. The read is free. The reasoning behind it is the Pro read.
Item 19 earnings data is disclosed for Captain D's. The full disclosure is free below; Zorzee's read of what it means stays in Pro.
Captain D's trajectory is shown only where source-backed. Missing Item 20 fields stay blank inside the locked layout instead of removing the section.
Source: FDD Item 20 where present. Total system units, franchised plus company-owned. Not financial advice.
0 actions disclosed in source-reviewed FDD Item 3.
Zorzee editorial. Independent analysis. No franchisor review or approval. Not financial advice.
The filing tells you what Captain D's costs to open. Pro adds the read on whether the numbers work for you, in your market, and whether this brand is a business or a job you bought.
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A Captain D's franchise costs $662,000 to $1,862,100 to open, disclosed in FDD Item 7 of the 2026 filing, covering the franchise fee, buildout, equipment, and working capital to breakeven. No commissions, no franchisor revenue, independent analysis only.
Captain D's uses a Variable fee model fee structure, disclosed in FDD Item 6.
Item 19 for Captain D's discloses an average unit volume of $1,082,533 (median $1,042,475) in the 2026 FDD. The figure is gross sales, not profit. Zorzee's read of what it excludes is in the Pro dossier.
Captain D's's average unit volume is $1,082,533 (median $1,042,475) in the 2026 FDD. The figure is gross sales, not profit. Zorzee's read of what it excludes is in the Pro dossier.
Captain D's's FDD Item 3 discloses no legal actions in the 2026 filing.
Zorzee does not rate franchises good or bad; it reports what the filing discloses so you can judge fit. Captain D's shows Deal-Specific reads on Fee Structure, Unit Economics, and Term & Exit Terms, In Line on Litigation History, Concern on Operator Validation. Whether it fits depends on your capital, your market, and your operating style. Independent analysis, no franchisor revenue.