Carl's Jr.
Burgers- 2023 Franchise 500 Rank
-
#74 Ranked #102 last year
- Initial investment
-
$1.3M - $2.3M
- Units as of 2022
-
1,676 1.2% over 3 years
Since the inception of the first Carl's Jr. fast-food drive-in in 1941, the company has blessed us with a wide variety of tasty American and Mexican delicacies. After solely operating a drive-in for five years, Carl's Jr. and his wife eventually opened two Carl's Jr. restaurants. They registered them under the name CKE Restaurants, Inc.
Through steady hard work and superb customer service, Carl's Jr. had managed to open 300 restaurants by 1981. Three years later, he went public, allowing others the opportunity to join the Carl's Jr. franchise family. Now, there is a large pool of Carl's Jr. restaurants globally. CKE restaurants acquired Hardy restaurants in 1997, bringing restaurant locations into the high hundreds.
There are over 1,000 Carl’s Jr. franchises in the United States to go along with more than 500 international locations.
Why You May Want to Start a Carl's Jr. Franchise
It's hard to go wrong with a good burger. As you probably know, Carl's Jr. restaurants are known for their signature Charbroiled 100% Black Angus beef. Their diverse menu may attract a wide range of hungry customers.
As a Carl's Jr. franchise restaurant owner, you might serve a specialized breakfast, lunch, and dinner menu consisting of burgers, sandwiches, salads, sides, desserts, beverages, and American/Mexican breakfast items. The company has a product development team that works hard to keep your franchise fresh and exciting. They also have a digital customer loyalty program that may keep people coming back for their mouth-watering burgers.
What Might Make a Carl's Jr. Franchise a Good Choice?
You may also have access to Carl's Jr. field consultants, free updates on improving the way you run the business, and professionally crafted marketing services. Carl's Jr. might also be known for its investment in the marketing sector. They believe that effective marketing is how they attract a majority of their customers.
Most of the time, Carl's Jr. says that they prefer multi-unit contracts. However, they do consider single-unit contracts under certain circumstances. A franchise contract is usually a 20-year agreement.
To be part of the Carl's Jr. team, you should make sure you’re financially ready for an initial investment made up of a franchise fee and other startup costs. You should also prepare yourself for ongoing fees that will include advertising, royalty, and potential renewal fees. Franchisees will also need to meet the company's set net worth and liquid capital requirements.
How to Open a Carl's Jr. Franchise
Typically, Carl's Jr. will assign you a team to help develop a business plan as you decide on the location of your franchise. This may be a great opportunity to ask questions about territory restrictions and availability.
Carl’s Jr. often assists with restaurant décor, design, ordering equipment, training your workers, and overseeing the construction, as well. Potentially, this could remove some of the stress associated with starting your own business—especially a restaurant.
Afterward, the team may present your business plan to corporate, which will do a thorough check on your finances and the business plan. If your finances and site are approved, you can usually begin mandatory franchisee training right away. This training often consists of great learning experiences for your future franchise.
If you're interested in owning your own Carl's Jr. franchise, you just might be into something good!
Company Overview
About Carl's Jr.
Business Overview
- Franchising Since
- 1984 (2023-1984 years)
- # of employees at HQ
- 454
- Where seeking
-
This company is offering new franchisees worldwide.
This company is offering new franchisees in the following US states: Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Utah, Washington
- # of Units
- 1,676 (as of 2022)
Information for Franchisees
Here's what you need to know if you're interested in opening a Carl's Jr. franchise.
Financial Requirements & Ongoing Fees
Here's what you can expect to spend to start the business and what ongoing fees the franchisor charges throughout the life of the business.
-
Initial Franchise Fee
Information Circle - $25,000
-
Initial Investment
Information Circle - $1,334,670 - $2,256,000
-
Net Worth Requirement
Information Circle - $1,000,000
-
Cash Requirement
Information Circle - $300,000
-
Royalty Fee
Information Circle - 4%
-
Ad Royalty Fee
Information Circle - 6%
-
Term of Agreement
Information Circle - 20 years
- Is franchise term renewable?
- Yes
Financing Options
Some franchisors offer in-house financing, while others have relationships with third-party financing sources to which they refer qualified franchisees.
- Third Party Financing
- Carl's Jr. has relationships with third-party sources which offer financing to cover the following: franchise fee, startup costs, equipment, inventory, accounts receivable, payroll
Training & Support Offered
Franchisors offer initial training programs and a variety of ongoing support options to help franchisees run their businesses.
- On-The-Job Training
- 400 hours
- Classroom Training
- 51 hours
- Ongoing Support
-
NewsletterMeetings & ConventionsToll-Free LineGrand OpeningOnline SupportSecurity & Safety ProceduresField OperationsSite SelectionProprietary SoftwareFranchisee Intranet Platform
- Marketing Support
-
Ad TemplatesNational MediaRegional AdvertisingSocial MediaWebsite Development
Operations
Additional details about running this franchise.
- Is absentee ownership allowed?
- No
-
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
Information Circle - No
-
Can this franchise be run part time?
Information Circle - No
-
Are exclusive territories available?
Information Circle - Yes
Interested in ownership opportunities like Carl's Jr.? Request a free consultation with a Franchise Advisor now.
Franchise 500 Ranking History
Compare where Carl's Jr. landed on this year's Franchise 500 Ranking versus previous years.
Additional Rankings
Curious to know where Carl's Jr. ranked on other franchise lists? Find out below.
Ranked #74 in 2023
Entrepreneur’s 44th annual Franchise 500® ranking shines a light on the unique challenges and changes that have shaped the franchise industry over the last year—and how franchisors have adapted and evolved to meet them.
Ranked #31 in 2023
Top Global Franchises
Ranked #3 in Hamburgers in 2022
Our annual list of the top restaurant and other food franchises, divided up by category, is the perfect place to start if you’re craving a food-based business opportunity.
Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter
Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.
Related Franchises
Are you eager to see what else is out there? Browse franchises that are similar to Carl's Jr..
Related Franchise Content
Catch up on the latest franchise news, trends, and more.
Why a Strong Chief Financial Officer Is Crucial for Your Franchise — and What to Look for When Hiring One
A successful private equity transaction for your franchise business means bringing on the right strategic thought partner.
What Makes Ellie Mental Health a Top New & Emerging Franchise
CEO Erin Pash was skeptical of using franchising to expand her mental health business at first, but now she's seen the positive impact it can have
The Real Cost of Franchising Your Business
Franchising can be a low-cost way to expand your brand — but it's not no cost. Here's what to keep in mind.
Understanding the Basics of Franchising Your Business
Is franchising right for you? Unlock your business's potential and learn where to start.
How to Evaluate Whether a Franchise Opportunity is Right for You
Buying a franchise is a significant investment, so don't rush the process.
How to go From Aspiring Entrepreneur to Successful Franchisee in 9 Steps
Ready to become a franchise owner? Use this checklist to get started.