An agreement with Serve Holdings, LLC, to develop 15 franchise stores in Memphis. The deal also turns over control of 20 company-owned stores in the market to Serve Holdings as of November 3.
An agreement with Nautical Treasures, LLC, to develop eight franchise stores in Toledo, Ohio, a brand new market for Captain D's.
A development agreement with Seahorse Group, LLC, for three more stores in Atlanta, one of Captain D's biggest markets.
A four-store development agreement with current Popeye's franchisee David Chunn in Hattiesburg, Miss.
An agreement with Subway franchisee Ashraf Boulos for one store in Terrell, Tex., and one store in Rockwall, Texas.
An agreement with Jim and Valerie McClure for one unit in Dahlonega, Ga.
An agreement with current franchisee Tom Sims for one unit in Danville, Ky.

"Our long-term goal is to have two-thirds of the company's restaurants operated by franchisees, up from one-third today," said Darin Harris, vice president of franchise development for Captain D's. "These seven deals certainly are a big step forward in delivering on that objective."

The biggest deal involves Serve Holdings, LLC. Captain D's has sold the chain's 20 company-owned stores in the Memphis DMA to the restaurant management company founded by long-time multi-unit operator, Clarence A. Mitchell, III. As part of the agreement, Mitchell will develop an additional 15 stores over the next six years in the Memphis area, in addition to remodeling all of the existing locations with Captain D's new prototype look over the lifetime of the agreement. In addition to Memphis, the transaction also gives Serve Holdings exclusive expansion rights in parts of Missouri, Kentucky, Illinois and Western Tennessee.

The second biggest deal will introduce the Captain D's brand to consumers in Toledo, Ohio for the first time. The company announced it has reached an eight-store development deal in Toledo with Nautical Treasures, LLC.

"In doing our research of consumers in the area, we found that Toledo is very similar to some our largest and most successful markets. That was a big factor in our decision to actively seek a franchisee in the Toledo area," saidHarris. "We feel this consumer base will help Nautical Treasures be successful with the Captain D's system right from the beginning."

Nautical Treasures is led by Paul Hubbard, a successful Church's Chicken franchisee in the Toledo market. Hubbard's investment group also includes insurance agency owner Vincent Davis, real estate developer Marcus Newbern and Jackie Oliver, president of Toledo's Arena of Life Job Readiness and Training program. Record sales growth over the past two years has helped spur the aggressive franchise development and growth for Captain D's. In addition, the new Captain D's prototype concepts, which deliver significant savings on building, equipment, construction and real estate costs, will also continue to be a key factor in the company's future growth. Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's Seafood owns, operates and franchises more than 565 restaurants in 24 states. The first store was opened in Donelson, Tenn., in 1969 as Mr. D's. The company later changed its name to Captain D's Seafood and became Captain D's, LLC, in August 2002.

Captain D's adds 34 new units through major expansion