Captain D’s is making its debut in San Antonio with more than a new restaurant. The brand is introducing its new restaurant design for the first time at its new location at 7531 Bandera Road, Suite 101, marking an important step in the company’s evolution.
San Antonio’s first Captain D’s restaurant, owned and operated by local franchise partners Ruben Cardenas, Brian Clemens and Dave Peters, officially opened September 9 with a ribbon cutting hosted by Hot Henrietta and DJ Rook.
Fresh, New Look
The San Antonio location represents the beginning of a new design direction for Captain D’s as the brand continues to modernize its guest experience while preserving the familiarity, personality and identity that have made it a longtime favorite.
The new design is a fresh evolution of the Captain D’s experience, featuring new colors, new textures, LED accent lighting, stained concrete floors, and updated backlit signage on the exterior. The restaurant maintains recognizable Captain D’s elements while creating a more contemporary and polished environment for guests.
“We wanted to create a fresh, modern look that reflects where Captain D’s is headed while staying true to who we are,” said Brad Reed, vice president of Franchise Development for Captain D’s in a statement. “It’s more polished and contemporary, but when you walk through the doors, you’ll still recognize Captain D’s. This is an evolution of the brand, not a departure from it.”
Seafood that Brings a Sense of Home
For the local business group, the decision to bring Captain D’s to San Antonio was about more than the opportunity to enter a growing market. San Antonio’s large military population gave the group another compelling reason to introduce a familiar brand to the community.
“Because San Antonio is Military City USA, we have a lot of people from all over the United States stationed here,” said Ruben Cardenas, co-owner of the San Antonio Captain D’s. “For people who grew up with Captain D’s, we’re hoping this gives them a sense of home. Military families we have talked to are excited to have a Captain D’s coming to town.”
Co-owner Brian Clemens, who grew up in Florida and has been a longtime Captain D’s fan, was surprised to discover San Antonio did not have a location. That personal connection helped inspire the ownership group to bring the brand to his adopted hometown.
“I grew up in Florida loving Captain D’s, so when I realized there was an opportunity to bring it to San Antonio, it was an easy decision,” said Brian Clemens, co-owner of the San Antonio Captain D’s. “I’ve missed it and I know people in San Antonio will love the high-quality, generous portions of our hand-battered wild-caught fish from Alaska. Where else can you get a fork and knife meal for $5.99?”
The new restaurant is an end-cap location with a drive-thru and seating for 42 guests. The restaurant is expected to create approximately 30 to 35 local jobs.
The three owners, all long-time entrepreneurs and general contractors, have worked together on construction and other business projects for years. This marks their first restaurant venture, and they initially plan to develop three Captain D’s restaurants in the San Antonio area, with plans to eventually grow to as many as 10 locations.
“San Antonio is growing tremendously, and we see a real opportunity here,” Cardenas said. “There aren’t a lot of fast seafood options, and we think Captain D’s will be a great addition to the community.”
The restaurant is open daily from Sunday – Thursday 10:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Friday – Saturday 10:30 a.m. – 11:00 p.m. Call-ahead orders can be placed by calling 210-419-3574.
