Popular U.S. fast casual seafood restaurant chain Captain D’s has reported its year-end results for 2016, which reveal another period of record high system-wide average unit volume (AUV) for the enterprise.
Captain D’s saw a system-wide same-store sales increase in the fourth quarter of 1.3 percent and a 2.3 percent system-wide same-store sales jump for the entire 2016 fiscal year, “marking the company's 21st consecutive quarter and sixth consecutive year of positive growth,” it said. Moreover, this is the fourth consecutive year that the franchise has experienced increased system-wide AUV.
The company opened 13 new locations in 2016 and signed development agreements that will give it an additional 25 new locations in 2017. In 2016, Captain D’s expanded its presence in Florida, South Carolina, Texas, Georgia, Illinois, Tennessee, Alabama, Arkansas and Virginia.
"The Captain D's brand continues to evolve each year, but we have never wavered from our guest-centric values and our commitment to serving high-quality, innovative seafood dishes. Our dedication to excellence has lead to a passionate following of consumers nationwide. We're thrilled with our ongoing, year-after-year success, and we know that we're just getting started," said Phil Greifeld, chief executive officer and president of Captain D's, in a news release. "Coupled with our strong franchise development pipeline, the exceptional growth we experienced last year has positioned Captain D's for immense potential in 2017. We look forward to accelerating this momentum in the new year and taking the brand to new heights."
New seafood innovation also helped lead the company to another successful year, with the new Nashville Hot Fish giving consumers a taste of Captain D’s Tennessee heritage. A revamped restaurant aesthetic also allowed the enterprise to thrive, according to the company.
“Coupled with its menu diversification and expanded array of offerings, Captain D's credits its new restaurant beach design with contributing to the brand's compounding success. To date, 59 percent of all restaurants have been reimaged to the brand's new vibrant, coastal design, with another 50 locations to be remodeled by the end of this year. With these efforts, Captain D's has remained true to what it does best – serving high-quality seafood with warm hospitality at an affordable price in a welcoming atmosphere,” said the franchise’s press release.
Captain D’s currently has 518 storefronts in 21 states and on U.S. military bases around the globe.
