Captain D’s will open its first UK restaurant in Kent in August, signifying its entry to the European market.

The casual seafood restaurant chain signed a 20-unit franchise agreement with CD’s Holdings for the UK, with locations in Sussex and Hampshire to open soon.

The partnership also intends to bring Captain D’s to other European countries.

“We have been looking for the right brand to introduce to the UK market, which is exciting and healthy,” said Naveed Chattha, operations director of CD’s Holdings.

“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.”

Currently, Captain D’s has more than 530 restaurants in 23 states and is looking for master franchisees and multi-unit operators to expand into Canada, Central and Latin America, the Caribbean, Spain, the Philippines, Singapore and Indonesia.