NEW YORK — Private equity firm Sentinel Capital Partners has acquired Captain D’s, a Nashville, Tenn.-based fast-casual seafood restaurant chain, from Centre Partners. Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
Founded in 1969, Captain D’s operates 303 company-owned locations and 227 franchised restaurants in 21 states, with a particularly strong presence in the Southeast and Midwest. The fast-casual restaurant chain’s menu is based on ocean-caught fish and a beach-themed dining format.
“We are very excited to partner with Captain D’s highly-experienced and accomplished management team,” said John McCormack, a Sentinel senior partner. “Captain D’s holds a unique market position and was recently recognized as one of the top 10 brands in America for consumer loyalty. Captain D’s continues to attract younger guests and is the clear category leader. Moreover, its same-store sales growth over the past decade is in the very top Q.S.R. tier regardless of category.”
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| Phil Greifeld, c.e.o. of Captain D’s |
Phil Greifeld, chief executive officer of Captain D’s, added, “Sentinel’s more than two decades of experience in the restaurant franchising sector makes the firm an ideal partner for us as we enter a new phase of expansion. We see significant opportunities to grow inside our existing footprint as well as into new regions. Our brand has never been stronger.”
In addition to Captain D’s, Sentinel has several investments in the restaurant industry, including Border Foods, Checkers/Rally’s, Falcon Holdings, Fazoli’s Group, Huddle House, Newk’s Eatery, Southern California Pizza Co., and TGI Friday’s.
Prior to the acquisition by Sentinel, Captain D’s had been owned by Centre Partners since 2013.
by Eric Schroeder
