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LAST UPDATED: March 2023 FRANCHISE WEBSITE: <a href="https://hardeesfranchising.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://hardeesfranchising.com/&nbsp;</a> NUMBER OF LOCATIONS: 2,153 REPORTED COST TO GET IN: $1,499,000 - $2,228,000 REPORTED ROI (Item 19): $1,147,975Hardee’s, the American fast-food concept, started over 60 years ago. In Greenville, North Carolina, Wilber Hardee opened his first location, offering $0.15 burgers and $0.10 fries. The brand quickly grew, exceeding 200 locations by the end of the 1960s.Approximately two decades after its founding, Hardee’s opened its 2,000th restaurant. Now, the concept continues to expand and has become both an American staple and international concept.<h2>How Many Hardee’s Locations Are There?</h2>According to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/hardees/305068?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Entrepreneur</a>, there are 2,153 Hardee’s locations as of 2022. The growth trajectory of the concept has not been entirely positive, with a few downward turns over the years, but the brand as a whole has maintained a strong presence.One of the key drivers is likely its willingness to adapt and offer new menu items to guests. Though it started with burgers, fries and milkshakes in the 1960s, Hardee’s began to offer biscuits and roast beef sandwiches in the 1970s,&nbsp;Cinnamon 'N' Raisin™ biscuits in the ‘80s, Thickburgers® in the 2000s and Froot Loops® mini donuts in the 2010s.<h2>What Is the Hardee’s Business Model?</h2>The Hardee’s business model leans heavily on a combination of value and convenience. The brand continues to market its burgers, for example, as “made with premium 100% angus beef patties,” but the meals remain accessible and affordable.There are multiple store models available with Hardee’s:<ul><li>Freestanding:&nbsp;Freestanding Hardee’s restaurants stand alone, offering a seating capacity of between 54 and 72 spots. Typically, these buildings are between 2,500 and 3,037 square feet, and they are established in areas with a residential population of 25,000 people or more.</li><li>End Caps:&nbsp;The end cap model allows a Hardee’s restaurant to be built into an existing structure. This reduces the required investment and is marketed as a more cost-effective way to establish a unit in smaller communities. Hardee’s end caps are commonly found within&nbsp;<a href="https://www.loves.com/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Love’s</a> travel and truck stops.</li><li>Conversions:&nbsp;Hardee’s franchisees are able to convert or renovate an existing building. Rather than initiating new construction, a conversion is another affordable way to leverage existing real estate for an affordable entry to a smaller community.</li><li>Non-Traditional:&nbsp;Airports, malls, food courts and more also make a great place for Hardee’s. The restaurants can be designed in a way that fits well with less traditional spaces.</li></ul><h2>How Much Can Hardee’s Franchise Owners Make?</h2>Hardee’s average annual sales across thousands of restaurants is estimated to be&nbsp;<a href="https://sharpsheets.io/blog/hardees-franchise-costs-profits/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">$1,147,975</a>.While franchisors cannot make claims about the exact amount franchise owners should expect to make, the brand’s franchising website says it encourages prospective investors to discuss the opportunity with current franchisees and is willing to facilitate connections for this purpose.<h2>How Much Does It Cost To Open a Hardee’s?</h2>The Hardee’s franchising website notes an initial investment of $1,499,000 – $2,228,000, including a franchise fee of “$25,000 to $35,000 depending on the number of restaurants in operation.” There is also a $10,000 development fee.Franchisees are also required to have a net worth of at least $1,000,000 and $300,000 in liquid assets.<h2>What Is the Franchise Fee for Hardee’s?</h2>The franchise fee for Hardee’s can range from $25,000 to $35,000. The exact amount depends on the number of restaurants a franchisee will be operating.<h2>Who Is the Leadership of Hardee’s?</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-lyerly-8768727/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ned Lyerly—Chief Executive Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/crawfordphil/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Phil Crawford</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-lyerly-8768727/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">—</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/crawfordphil/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chief Technology 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-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Kerry Olson</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-lyerly-8768727/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">—</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/kerry-olson-28b7893/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chief Legal 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-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Andrew Robinson</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-lyerly-8768727/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">—</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/andrew-robinson-8435592b/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chief Human Resources Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-brandon-turner-72640720/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brandon Turner</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-lyerly-8768727/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">—</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/j-brandon-turner-72640720/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chief Financial Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tana-davila-0795999/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Tana Davila</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-lyerly-8768727/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">—</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/tana-davila-0795999/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chief Marketing Officer</a></li><li><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-bode-37500120/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chris Bode</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/ned-lyerly-8768727/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">—</a><a href="https://www.linkedin.com/in/christopher-bode-37500120/?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Chief Operating Officer</a></li></ul><h2>What Helpful Articles Can I Read To Learn More?</h2><ul><li><a href="https://www.hardees.com/about-us?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">About Us</a></li><li><a href="https://www.entrepreneur.com/franchises/hardees/305068?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Start a Hardee’s Franchise in 2023</a></li><li><a href="https://www.ifpg.org/top-franchises/hardees?utm_source=1851franchise.com&utm_medium=article&utm_campaign=franchise-deep-dive-hardees-franchise-costs-fees-profit-and-data-2721286" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hardee’s Franchise Cost and Requirements for 2023</a></li></ul>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.

Franchise Deep Dive: Hardee’s Franchise Costs, Fees, Profit and Data

1851 Franchise

The American classic, Hardee's, has become a franchise staple, growing to encompass thousands of locations since 1960.


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