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The real numbers on owning a Captain D's franchise
Quick-Service Restaurant (QSR) - Seafood · FDD 2026 · from public state filings
BDisclosure honesty
This franchisor discloses earnings (Item 19) — but read how.
Investment
$662,000–$1,862,100
Total fees
5.5% of sales
Outlets
518
Closure signals
13 ceased, 0 terminated
Lawsuits
0
What their own earnings claim actually says
Gross sales data for 210 franchised and 281 company-owned comparable restaurants for fiscal year 2025. Franchised avg $1,082,533; company-owned avg $1,010,526. Does not include royalties, advertising fees, or franchisee-specific expenses.
Failure & turnover reality (Item 20)
13 franchised outlets ceased operations in 2025; 4 company-owned closed. Net system decline of 12 units.
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Franchisor's framing: Gross sales data for 210 franchised and 281 company-owned comparable restaurants for fiscal yea…
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Decoded real failure / closure rate
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The FDD lists a total initial investment of about $662,000–$1,862,100, including a $35,000 initial franchise fee.
How much do Captain D's franchise owners make?
Gross sales data for 210 franchised and 281 company-owned comparable restaurants for fiscal year 2025. Franchised avg $1,082,533; company-owned avg $1,010,526. Does not include royalties, advertising fees, or franchisee-specific expenses. We grade this disclosure B for honesty.
What is the Captain D's franchise failure rate?
13 franchised outlets ceased operations in 2025; 4 company-owned closed. Net system decline of 12 units.
Is a Captain D's franchise worth it?
It depends on the numbers, not the pitch. Captain D's scores B on disclosure honesty, carries about 5.5% of sales in ongoing fees. Get the real owner take-home before you sign.
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Source: MN CARDS 36260-202604-06 (Clean FDD 2026). FranchiseValidate is independent and not affiliated with Captain D's or its franchisor. Figures are extracted from the franchisor's own public disclosure document; verify against the current FDD before any decision.