There’s been an endless stream of fried chicken chains setting up shop in the UK of late – from Dave’s Hot Chicken to MB Chicken and BonBird.
But fast food fans are finally being treated to something a little different, as Captain D’s, a chain that’s been dubbed the ‘McDonald’s of the sea’, has confirmed its first-ever UK site will opening in Broadstairs in Kent.
The new restaurant is going to be located in Westwood Cross Shopping Centre and is thought to be launching in the coming months.
It was originally planned to open in August, but no official opening date has been given as of yet.
Captain D’s was founded in 1969 in Nashville, Tennessee and has gone on to open more than 530 restaurants across the US.
It specialises in seafood, with everything from catfish to butterfly shrimp on the menu, as well as classics like battered fish and chips.
The menu at Captain D’s also features fish sandwiches as well as sides such as corn on the cob, baked potatoes, green beans and fried okra. And fans seem to particularly love the hush puppies – deep fried balls of cornmeal batter served hot and crispy.
And if that sounds good to you, but you don’t live anywhere near Broadstairs, don’t panic, as there are more restaurants planned to follow.
Captain D’s has signed a 20-unit agreement with CD’s Holdings for the UK with restaurants also planned for Sussex and Hampshire later this year.
Speaking about the launch, Naveed Chattha, the operations director of CD’s Holdings, said: ‘We have been looking for the right brand to introduce to the UK market, which is exciting and healthy.
‘There is a large fish and chips market in the UK, but no one has tried to apply discipline, standards, and quality to such a level here before. With our experience, we feel Captain D’s is the right choice.’
We’re sure the people behind the UK’s top 50 best fish and chip takeaways, might have a few things to say about that statement. But anyway, moving on…
What do customers really think of the food at Captain D’s?
Like most fast food spots, Captain D’s has received mixed reviews online, especially on Reddit and Tripadvisor. Some people have branded it ‘so so’ and ‘disappointing’, while others ‘love it’ and say it’s their ‘favourite’.
The most interesting comment comes from a Tripadvisor reviewer known only as Florida_sugar_Daddy who dubbed Captain D’s the ‘McDonald’s of the sea’.
They wrote: ‘This is the McDonald’s of seafood and they do a great job at it. The Sebring store is clean and well maintained with a friendly and helpful staff who get your food to you quick and the prices are good.’
Pag057 felt similarly, saying: ‘We always love to stop at Captain D’s. The food is always good, the service is great and the price seems fair.’
And PJSteeby said: ‘Fast food never tasted so good and served so quickly with a smile! We visit every week and are NEVER disappointed!’
Others claimed it was the ‘best fast food seafood’ they’ve come across, and better than another rival US chain known as Long John Silver’s.
However, not everyone felt so warmly about Captain D’s, as Barbara K thought it was ‘another average fast food chain’. She posted: ‘The food was prepared quickly, but it is not that tasty and is often quite greasy.’
While 910peggy agreed, sharing: ‘This was standard fare. Good fast food but nothing special.’
A user known as cttagent added: ‘Fish sounded like a good thing for lunch, so we stopped here. Catfish meal contained three very small fillet pieces, definitely not worth the price. Batter dipped fish was average tasting. Broccoli was inedible: overcooked, rubbery tasting, and burnt.’
In other fast food news, McDonald’s recently axed a few classic items from its menu, including the Bacon Mayo Chicken and Bacon Double Cheeseburger.
And an Australia chain known as Zambrero,, which makes Mexican food, has confirmed its also heading over to the UK, with plans to open 100 sites by 2030.
This article was first published on March 19, 2025.
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