Franchising

Captain D's 'Express' model reduces start-up costs

Provided

November 11, 2020

Captain D's has created a restaurant prototype, called Express, featuring a significantly smaller footprint than its traditional models.

Compared to the brand's standard 44-seat, 1,964-square-foot model, Express has an average footprint of 960 square feet but still has a drive-thru and walk-up windows. There are no indoor dining rooms, however, according to a press release.

The prototype's design reflects guest feedback showcasing an increased demand for enhanced drive-thru and takeout options, as well as Captain D's overall goal to provide franchisees with the flexibility to develop the restaurant footprint best suited for their markets. Express models can reduce start-up costs for franchisees by as much as 32%, Phil Russo, vice president of real estate for Captain D's, said in the release

"Long before the pandemic and subsequent social distancing mandates, we were intently listening to our guests and closely following evolving real estate trends, all which led to the development of our Express prototype. Pre-COVID-19, 70% of our sales were generated by off-premises dining — 50% drive-thru and 20% takeout — and those numbers have held strong over the past several months, only reinforcing the need and viability of Express' design," Russo said in the release. "In the months and years that lie ahead and the inevitable changes to come, we're proud to offer both existing and prospective franchisees another flexible prototype option to help meet their individual needs, as well as grow our presence in untapped markets."

Multi-unit franchisee Anil Dossani will open the first Express unit in Q2 2021 in Atlanta's College Park neighborhood and develop two more Express units in the Atlanta area in the coming years. Dossani has been a Captain D's franchisee since 2018 and has two locations in Acworth and Norcross, Georgia. Prior to joining the brand, he and his business partner, Ali Dossani, were owners and operators of Steak 'n Shake franchises.

"Since joining Captain D's only two years ago, Ali and I have been eager to continue growing with the brand given the tremendous success we've achieved with our first two locations that we opened within a year of each other," Anil Dossani said in the release. "When we learned that there was an opportunity to bring the brand into the metro area of Atlanta and grow our market share, we jumped at the chance."

Captain D's is looking to develop Express restaurants in population-dense metropolitan areas with higher levels of foot traffic, and plans to open two to four locations per year for the next three years. Interested candidates can expect an initial investment of $703,050-$851,655 and should have at least $350,000 available liquid capital.

Captain D's has over 530 restaurants in 23 states.