Employees at Captain D’s corporate offices are trading in their desk and computer for a cash register and
fish fryer at D’s restaurants throughout Middle Tennessee. Every Friday during the season of lent executive assistants, directors, and vice presidents fan out across the area near its headquarters to help out during the chain’s busiest time of the year.
“We don’t want the fact that we’re busier than normal to affect our service, and that’s why we enlist all of our employees to pitch in,” said Ron Walker, president and COO of Captain D’s. “On top of that, it keeps our corporate employees in touch with what’s going on at our restaurants.”
Lent is the 40 day period that starts on Ash Wednesday and ends Easter Sunday. During this time members of some religions abstain from eating red meat on Fridays and often choose fish as an alternative.
Most D’s employees will help out during lent by working in the dining room cleaning tables, filling drinks, and assisting customers. Others will help out in the kitchen by frying fish, preparing other food items, or washing dishes.
“The more help the better,” said Trinity Levan, manager of the Captain D’s in Donelson. “We’re very busy, but with the extra help, we’re able take care of our customers.”
“It may sound like a cliché, but we really are a team at D’s where everyone helps out when and where we’re needed,” said Jeff Suber, vice president of procurement.
Headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee, Captain D’s owns, operates and franchises 564 restaurants in 22 states, including 354 company owned and 210 franchise restaurants.