Nathan's Famous vs Captain D's Seafood Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Nathan's Famous vs Captain D's Seafood including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Nathan's Famous Franchise
Captain D's Seafood Franchise
Investment $43,000 - $1,071,360$1,005,600 - $1,223,600
Franchise Fee $30,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 5.5%4.5%
Advertising Fee 2%1.1%
Year Founded 19161969
Year Franchised 19881969
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee 50% of franchise feeVaries


Business Experience Requirements

 
Nathan's Famous Franchise
Captain D's Seafood Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Captain D's Seafood Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory Yes/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Captain D's Seafood Franchise
    Training - On-The-Job Training: 219 hours Classroom Training: 21 hours Additional Training: Onsite store opening
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing Loyalty program/app
    Operations 60% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 14

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (65% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (70% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Nathan's Famous Franchise
    Captain D's Seafood Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Nathan's Famous

    Franchising is a business concept that allows qualified investors to become part of an established, existing “system.” A good way to look at franchising is, you’re in business for yourself, but not by yourself. Strategically, this provides many benefits under a brand name that has consumer awareness and equity.
    Nathan’s has taken this basic premise and redefined it to exceed the most stringent business criteria of today’s investor.

    Nathan’s offers a wide range of restaurant designs and customized equipment, thereby offering business opportunities to qualified candidates regardless of space constraints or investment limitations.

    The estimated initial investment for a BMP Operation ranges from $43,000 to $86,300, including an initial license fee of $7,500. If you want to add an “Arthur Treacher’s” BMP Operation to your new or existing food service establishment, the additional estimated initial investment will be from $34,404 to $81,486, including an initial license fee of $7,500.

    "Top
    #78 in Gator's Top franchises
    #286 in Franchise 500 for 2020.


    About Captain D's Seafood

    The first Captain D's opened in Donelson, TN in 1969. It was then called Mr. D's. And the big idea behind it was to serve high quality, quick-service seafood. Over 30 years later this big idea, now Captain D's, has grown to almost 600 restaurants in 23 states. Our menu offers a wide variety of fried, baked and broiled fish and shrimp dishes, seafood-stuffed crab shells, chicken and a variety of side items including corn, baked potato, cole slaw, tossed salads, hushpuppies and desserts, among others. We also offer a variety of seasonal seafood favorites. For a fresh business opportunity that provides industry-leading AUV growth, look no further than Captain D's. Since opening our doors in 1969, we've never stopped innovating and it has paid off. Today, with more than 520 restaurants nationwide and internationally, we're proud to be America's favorite quick service destination for seafood. Never satisfied with success alone, our team of product innovators and culinary experts continually look for opportunities to propel our growth. Our innovations, from rolling out new restaurant designs to offering delicious fire-grilled menu items, help us stand above the rest. We've found the perfect recipe for success through our heritage, hospitality, and commitment to excellence, and we're looking for new franchise professionals to share in Captain D's growth.

    The total investment necessary to begin operation of a Captain D’s franchise ranges from $1,005,600 to $1,223,600 for the current Captain D’s prototype restaurant. That includes an initial franchise fee that you must pay to the franchisor in the amount of $35,000. You must pay one-half of the initial franchise fee for each Captain D’s restaurant you plan to develop as a non-refundable development fee when you sign a development agreement with the franchisor. The development agreements require the development of at least one restaurant.
    Veteran Incentives    50% off first-unit franchise fee; royalty fee reduced for first year

    "Top   "Entrepreneur
    #35 in Gator's Top franchises.
    #140 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #329 in Franchise 500 for 2021.