Captain D's Makes Big Leap in Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 Rankings, Climbs to Highest Ranking Ever

The effort to re-energize the Captain D's brand and turn it into an attractive investment opportunity for potential franchisees is paying off for the seafood Restaurant chain.

In Entrepreneur Magazine's recently released 2004 Franchise 500 rankings, Captain D's climbed all the way up to 115 overall, its highest ranking ever on the annual list of top franchise opportunities. In 2000, Captain D's franchise 500 ranking was at 473. Last year, Captain D's was ranked at 266.

"Our growth in the rankings is a clear reflection of the energy we have put in over the past few years in making Captain D's a relevant brand for potential franchisees," says Ron Walker, president and chief operating officer for Captain D's. "We're confident that our ranking in the Franchise 500 will continue to go up as we continue to bring new franchisees into the growing Captain D's system."

Walker credits the company's 151-position rise in the rankings to its dedication to serving its customers, strong leadership at the operational level, consistent financial results, a new look for its marketing and restaurants, along with a new prototype that lowers building costs for Captain D's.

"We have a lot of momentum right now, and the pieces are in place for 2004 to be our best year ever," added Walker.

Entrepreneur Magazine's Franchise 500 is an annual ranking of Franchises based on financial strength and stability, growth rate, size of the system, number of years in business, length of time franchising, start-up costs, litigation, percentage of terminations and whether the company provides financing.

About Captain D's

Captain D's Seafood is a pioneer and leader in the fast-casual dining category. The company offers its customers great seafood at reasonable prices in a relaxed environment that embodies the fun and romance of dockside seafood shacks.

Each Captain D's Seafood restaurant serves a seafood menu centered around the company's signature fried fish, which is hand cut, hand battered and made to order to ensure freshness. The restaurants also offer premium-quality baked and broiled fish, as well as shrimp, chicken and home-style side dishes.

Inside, the restaurants feature naturally aged woods, an embossed tin ceiling, hanging steel lights and a galvanized steel awning over the dining room, as well as nautical artifacts and local navigational charts, giving them a relaxed, coastal style.

Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's Seafood owns, operates and franchises more than 565 restaurants in 24 states. The first store was opened in Donelson, Tenn., in 1969 as Mr. D's. The company later changed its name to Captain D's Seafood and became Captain D's, LLC, in August 2002.