1851

LAST UPDATED:&nbsp;July 2024FRANCHISE WEBSITE:&nbsp;<a href="https://carlsjrfranchising.com/franchising.php?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://carlsjrfranchising.com/franchising.php</a>&nbsp;NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 1,065 (U.S.), 3,300+ (worldwide)REPORTED COST TO GET IN:&nbsp;$1,499,000 - $2,228,000REPORTED ROI (Item 19):&nbsp;not publicly available<a href="https://carlsjrfranchising.com/franchising.php?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Carl's Jr.</a> is an American quick-service restaurant chain that specializes in burgers, fries and other classic fast-food items. The brand is part of&nbsp;<a href="https://www.ckr.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.</a> which also owns the Hardee's chain, allowing for a broad reach and shared promotional strategies across both brands.<h3>How Many Carl's Jr. Locations Are There?</h3>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.&nbsp;<h3>What Is Carl's Jr.’s Business Model?</h3>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.<h3>How Much Can Carl's Jr. Franchise Owners Make?</h3>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).&nbsp;<h3>How Much Does It Cost To Open Carl's Jr.?</h3>The total initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Carl's Jr. franchise ranges from $1,499,000 to $2,228,000.<h3>What Is the Franchise Fee for Carl's Jr.?</h3>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.&nbsp;<h3>Who’s On Carl's Jr.’s Leadership Team?</h3><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/max-wetzel-0543211/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Max Wetzel – CEO</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/miketillis/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mike Tillis – Director of Franchise Operations</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-tate-77b8ba3/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Jennifer Tate – Chief Marketing Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/mike-lenihan-878a5417/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Mike Lenihan – Chief Financial Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-robinson-8435592b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Andrew Robinson – Chief Human Resources Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-olson-28b7893/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kerry Olson – Chief Legal Officer, General Counsel and Secretary</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/arturo-perez-calvo-9a4380b9/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Arturo Perez Calvo – International SVP-Chief Marketing Officer</a></li></ul><h3>What Helpful Articles Can I Read to Learn More About Carl's Jr.?</h3><ul><li><a href="https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/business/india-business/montana-group-khpl-join-forces-to-open-carls-jr-restaurants-in-india/articleshow/104780458.cms?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Montana group, KHPL join forces to open Carls Jr restaurants in India</a></li><li><a href="https://www.businesspost.ie/news/us-burger-chain-carls-jr-launches-irish-franchises/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">US burger chain Carl’s Jr launches Irish franchises</a></li><li><a href="https://www.wptv.com/lifestyle/food/carls-jr-joins-fast-food-expansion-frenzy-plans-to-open-first-florida-location?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Carl's Jr. joins fast-food expansion frenzy, plans to open first Florida location</a></li></ul>Want to learn more about franchise opportunities on 1851 Franchise? Be sure to visit our&nbsp;<a href="https://1851franchise.com/power-rankings">Power Rankings</a> to read more on brands making moves.&nbsp;Check out these three 1851 brands:<a href="https://1851franchise.com/anchoredtinyhomes/info">Anchored Tiny Homes</a><a href="https://anchoredtinyhomes.com/franchise?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Development Page</a>Number of Open Locations:&nbsp;10+&nbsp;Investment Range: $136,250 - $262,000<a href="https://1851franchise.com/elitewindowcleaning/info">Elite Window Cleaning</a><a href="https://elitewindowcleaningfranchise.ca/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Development Page</a>Number of Open Locations: 8Investment Range:&nbsp;$102,057 - $120,332<a href="https://1851franchise.com/freshcoat/info">Fresh Coat* Painters</a><a href="https://freshcoatfranchise.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Franchise Development Page</a>Number of Open Locations:&nbsp;170+&nbsp;Investment Range:&nbsp;$66,150 - $96,250Every great franchisee had help buying a franchise. Want to learn more about how 1851 helps franchisees find the right franchise opportunity? Visit&nbsp;<a href="http://www.1851growthclub.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2726595" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">www.1851growthclub.com</a> 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.&nbsp;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.

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

1851 Franchise

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.

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

franchise-deep-dive-carls-jr-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

The Junkluggers

image of Lucy Mejia from Atlanta Georgia junkluggers franchisee owner mom

How This Stay-at-Home Mom Found Her Calling With The Junkluggers Franchise

lucy-mejia-junkluggers-franchise

image of the junkluggers franchise and a list of the top 5 reasons to purchase a junkluggers

Top 5 Reasons To Buy a Junkluggers Franchise in 2026

top-5-reasons-to-buy-a-junkluggers-franchise-2026

image of a junkluggers franchise owner franchisee standing in front of a company truck succesful

Junkluggers Franchisees Win the Fast-Growing, Eco-Focused Junk Removal Market With Mission, Momentum and a “Frictionless” System Built for Scale

the-junkluggers-franchise-opportunity

BIGGBY COFFEE

 BIGGBY® COFFEE Cracks Top 200 on Franchise Times Top 400, Climbing More Than 100 Spots in Four Years

biggby-coffee-cracks-top-200-on-franchise-times-top-400-climbing-more-than-100-spots-in-four-years

KidStrong Franchising, LLC

KidStrong Franchise - Sabrina Du - Steve Do - Tampa - 1851 Franchise

Why a KidStrong Franchise Fits This Family’s Next Chapter

kidstrong-franchise-tampa-steve-do-sabrina-du

Buying a Franchise Masterclass

 Franchise Opportunities

Get Support Buying a Franchise

How to Buy a Franchise White Paper

How to Buy a Franchise

How to Sell Franchises

How to Grow a Franchise

Find a Franchise Supplier

1851 Franchise Opportunities

Franchisor News

Franchisor Power Rankings

FranCamp Mastermind Summit

Franchise Development Website Builder

Franchise Resources

What ALEC-Laffer's Report Means for Franchising

Website Awards

Power Rankings

About 1851

Advertise on 1851

Contact 1851 Editorial

Terms of Use

1851 Login

GROWTH CLUB LOGIN

facebook

instagram

twitter

linkedin

youtube

Design with government building & "Open for Business" sign against American flag backdrop

Government Reopens After 43-Day Shutdown, Bringing Relief to Small Businesses and Franchises

government-shutdown-ends-franchise-impact

As Starbucks and Dunkin’ Navigate a Changing Market, New Coffee Players Keep Gaining Ground

starbucks-dunkin-franchise-coffee-market-trends

Paris Baguette Welcomes Zac Sulma as New Chief Operating Officer

new-coo-zac-sulma

AI-related job cuts, October U.S. job cuts, American job cut record

AI-Fueled Layoffs Reshape the U.S. Job Market — And Highlight Franchising’s Resilience

ai-job-cuts-franchising-path-forward

Crunch Fitness Franchise - Sixth Street Minority Stake - CR Fitness - 1851 Franchise

Sixth Street Takes Minority Stake in CR Fitness, the Largest Crunch Fitness Franchisee

cr-fitness-crunch-fitness-sixth-street-investment

Scenthound Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

scenthound-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

EarthWise Pet Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

earthwise-pet-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data

image of franchise deep dive from 1851 franchise on doody calls franchise authority brands

DoodyCalls Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data for 2025

doodycalls-franchise-deep-dive

image of michael brown and matt kelton from children's lighthouse family owned brand private equity

Learn Why Children’s Lighthouse Is Different as a Family-Owned Brand vs. a Private Equity Brand in Upcoming Webinar

family-owned-vs-private-equity-childrens-lighthouse

image of jerome hanway from right at home Las Cruces, New Mexico 1851 franchise franchisee spotlight

Jerome Hanway Is Building His Right at Home Franchise Around His Mission To Serve

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

MORE STORIES LIKE THIS