Captain D's eyes global growth, appoints international development leader
As it expands its store count in the U.S. and Canada, Captain D’s has appointed a new senior VP of international operations and development to grow the brand globally.
The fast-casual seafood chain has named Hair Parra to the newly created position. Parra has spent over 35 years leading international operations and development for Papa Johns, Benihana and Domino's. Since 2021, he has overseen international development for FAT Brands. Prior to that, he was chief operating officer of Wing Zone after spending over a decade as the company's VP of international development.
At Captain D's, Parra will continue pursuing opportunities for franchise development in Canada, as well as working with master and multi-unit franchisees who want to bring the seafood chain to Central and Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia, among others.
"I've had the privilege of introducing many distinguished American restaurants to international audiences, and the one quality that stands out as a marker of success is the company's culture. Captain D's has one of the best I've ever seen," said Parra. "Truly great brands are built by people who care about the work they are doing and the people they are doing it with. Captain D's has a veteran team focused on providing franchise owners with quality food and superior operations to run their business.”
Earlier this year, Captain D’s announced its first-ever franchise development agreement in Canada, which will bring five locations to the Greater Toronto Area. Domestically, Captain D’s has announced new agreements to expand in the U.S., with multiple franchise development agreements being signed throughout 2023 for new stores in New Jersey, New York and Georgia.
Captain D’s says its international expansion plans are made possible by its flexible store prototypes, including 22- and 44-seat dining rooms and an Express model for to-go customers only. Parra added that these adaptable footprints will be key for a variety of real estate opportunities, including strip centers and non-traditional options such as airports and malls.
"People around the globe love fish and chicken, and Captain D's offers an extensive menu of both batter dipped and grilled fish options alongside ever-popular chicken menu," he said. "As we expand into new countries, we will pair the high-quality seafood and hospitality Captain D's has been built on with a creative and adaptable approach to understanding and respecting cultural variations. That's the way we'll deliver on our brand promise to new fans worldwide."
Headquartered in Nashville, Tenn., Captain D's has more than 530 restaurants in 23 states.