LAST UPDATED:  July 2024 FRANCHISE WEBSITE:  https://carlsjrfranchising.com/franchising.php   NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 1,065 (U.S.), 3,300+ (worldwide) REPORTED COST TO GET IN:  $1,499,000 - $2,228,000 REPORTED ROI (Item 19):  not publicly available Carl's Jr. is an American quick-service restaurant chain that specializes in burgers, fries and other classic fast-food items. The brand is part of  CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. which also owns the Hardee's chain, allowing for a broad reach and shared promotional strategies across both brands. How Many Carl's Jr. Locations Are There? Established in 1941 by Carl N. Karcher, Carl's Jr. has been a West Coast icon for over 75 years. With only $15 in savings and a $311 loan against their Plymouth car, Karcher and his wife, Margaret, started with a single hot dog cart in Los Angeles. This small business has since evolved into a popular quick-service franchise with more than 3,300 locations worldwide. The brand has 1,065 locations across the U.S., primarily in the western part of the country.  What Is Carl's Jr.’s Business Model? Carl's Jr. is a fast-food franchise renowned for its burgers, such as the Western Bacon Cheeseburger, the Super Star hamburger, and the Beyond Famous Star with Cheese. Other fan favorites include hand-breaded chicken tenders, made-from-scratch biscuits, charbroiled chicken sandwiches, and hand-scooped ice cream shakes and malts. The brand prefers multi-unit agreements with franchisees, but will consider one or two-unit agreements under certain circumstances. Franchisees also have co-branding options and can open a Green Burrito Dual Concept Restaurant, as well as locations inside a gas station or convenience store. How Much Can Carl's Jr. Franchise Owners Make? The brand does not make this information publicly available. Prospective owners can access this information through the brand’s most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD).  How Much Does It Cost To Open Carl's Jr.? The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Carl's Jr. franchise ranges from $1,499,000 to $2,228,000. What Is the Franchise Fee for Carl's Jr.? The franchise fee required to begin operation of a Carl's Jr. franchise is $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the number of units in operation, which must be paid to the franchisor.  Who’s On Carl's Jr.’s Leadership Team? Max Wetzel – CEO Mike Tillis – Director of Franchise Operations Jennifer Tate – Chief Marketing Officer Mike Lenihan – Chief Financial Officer Andrew Robinson – Chief Human Resources Officer Kerry Olson – Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary Arturo Perez Calvo – International SVP-Chief Marketing Officer What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About Carl's Jr.? Montana group, KHPL join forces to open Carls Jr restaurants in India US burger chain Carl’s Jr launches Irish franchises Carl's Jr. joins fast-food expansion frenzy, plans to open first Florida location Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our  Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves.  Check out these three 1851 brands: Anchored Tiny Homes Franchise Development Page Number of Open Locations:  10+  Investment Range: $136,250 - $262,000 Elite Window Cleaning Franchise Development Page Number of Open Locations: 8 Investment Range:  $102,057 - $120,332 Fresh Coat* Painters Franchise Development Page Number of Open Locations:  170+  Investment Range:  $66,150 - $96,250 Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit  www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey. Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction.  All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

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Franchise Deep Dive: Carl's Jr. Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

Franchise Deep Dive: Carl's Jr. Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

The beloved West Coast burger franchise, with over 1,000 U.S. locations, began in 1941 as a single hot dog cart in Los Angeles. The brand is managed by CKE Restaurant Holdings, which also owns the fast-food chain Hardee’s.

LAST UPDATED: July 2024

FRANCHISE WEBSITE: https://carlsjrfranchising.com/franchising.php 

NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 1,065 (U.S.), 3,300+ (worldwide)

REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $1,499,000 - $2,228,000

REPORTED ROI (Item 19): not publicly available

Carl's Jr. is an American quick-service restaurant chain that specializes in burgers, fries and other classic fast-food items. The brand is part of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. which also owns the Hardee's chain, allowing for a broad reach and shared promotional strategies across both brands.

How Many Carl's Jr. Locations Are There?

Established in 1941 by Carl N. Karcher, Carl's Jr. has been a West Coast icon for over 75 years. With only $15 in savings and a $311 loan against their Plymouth car, Karcher and his wife, Margaret, started with a single hot dog cart in Los Angeles. This small business has since evolved into a popular quick-service franchise with more than 3,300 locations worldwide.

The brand has 1,065 locations across the U.S., primarily in the western part of the country. 

What Is Carl's Jr.’s Business Model?

Carl's Jr. is a fast-food franchise renowned for its burgers, such as the Western Bacon Cheeseburger, the Super Star hamburger, and the Beyond Famous Star with Cheese. Other fan favorites include hand-breaded chicken tenders, made-from-scratch biscuits, charbroiled chicken sandwiches, and hand-scooped ice cream shakes and malts.

The brand prefers multi-unit agreements with franchisees, but will consider one or two-unit agreements under certain circumstances. Franchisees also have co-branding options and can open a Green Burrito Dual Concept Restaurant, as well as locations inside a gas station or convenience store.

How Much Can Carl's Jr. Franchise Owners Make?

The brand does not make this information publicly available. Prospective owners can access this information through the brand’s most recent Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD). 

How Much Does It Cost To Open Carl's Jr.?

The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Carl's Jr. franchise ranges from $1,499,000 to $2,228,000.

What Is the Franchise Fee for Carl's Jr.?

The franchise fee required to begin operation of a Carl's Jr. franchise is $25,000 to $35,000, depending on the number of units in operation, which must be paid to the franchisor. 

Who’s On Carl's Jr.’s Leadership Team?

What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About Carl's Jr.?

Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our Power Rankings to read more on brands making moves. 

Check out these three 1851 brands:

Anchored Tiny Homes

Franchise Development Page

Number of Open Locations: 10+ 

Investment Range: $136,250 - $262,000

Elite Window Cleaning

Franchise Development Page

Number of Open Locations: 8

Investment Range: $102,057 - $120,332

Fresh Coat* Painters

Franchise Development Page

Number of Open Locations: 170+ 

Investment Range: $66,150 - $96,250

Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit www.1851growthclub.com and start your journey.

Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only. You should not construe any such information or other material as legal, tax, investment, financial, or other advice. Nothing contained on this site constitutes a solicitation, recommendation, endorsement, or offer to buy or sell any franchises, securities, or other financial instruments in this or in any other jurisdiction in which such solicitation or offer would be unlawful under the franchise and/or securities laws of such jurisdiction. 

All content in this article is information of a general nature and does not address the detailed circumstances of any particular individual or entity. Nothing in the article constitutes professional and/or financial advice, nor does any information in the email constitute a comprehensive or complete statement of the matters discussed or the law relating thereto. You alone assume the sole responsibility of evaluating the merits and risks associated with the use of any information or other content in this article before making any decisions based on such information or other content.

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Erica Inman

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Erica Inman

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