If you are looking for information on the Hardee's franchise business opportunity, Hardees restaurant franchises or Hardys restaurants franchising, then you have come to the right place.
Burger lovers throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern U.S. are having trouble deciding which they crave most: Hardee's® homestyle breakfast or Hardee's lunch and dinner, featuring the award-winning, 100% Angus™ beef Thickburgers™. Why should they choose? With Hardee's, customer's can always count on high-quality and delicious fare at an excellent value.
CKE Restaurants, Inc. (CKE), through its subsidiaries, franchisees and licensees, operates some of the most popular U.S. regional brands in quick-service and fast-casual dining, including the Carl's Jr.®, Hardee's®, La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill® and Green Burrito® restaurant brands.
Founded in 1960 by Wilber Hardee and acquired by CKE Restaurants, Inc. in 1997, Hardee's restaurants are located throughout the Southeastern and Midwestern United States. The chain built its reputation on a unique breakfast menu featuring Hardee's mouth-watering Made from Scratch™ Biscuits. Recently, with a renewed emphasis on premium quality, Hardee's has taken the lunch/dinner segment to the next level with its line of 100% Angus beef Thickburgers. Hardee's has clearly established itself as a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry.
The Thickburger line features 1/3-,1/2- and 2/3-lb. Angus beef burgers. Other menu favorites include charbroiled and crispy chicken sandwiches and delicious Crispy Curls™ French fries. Hardee's famous breakfast menu boasts Made from Scratch Biscuits and Breakfast Bowls.
The growth of the quick-service restaurant business is a story of eager young entrepreneurs, including CKE Restaurants founder and industry pioneer Carl N. Karcher, who fed America's appetite for mobility and an affordable, high-quality meal. Built alongside the emerging car culture of Southern California during and post-World War II, the quick-service restaurant industry grew with the country's expansive highways and has become a part of American life.
When you become a Hardee's franchisee, you're teaming up with one of the largest, most experienced restaurant companies around. CKE Restaurants has a coast-to-coast presence with more than 3,200 restaurants and a solid track record in quick-service restaurant experience.Hardee's is now expanding, which adds up to a healthy opportunity for the right entrepreneur. So if you have the ability to manage both people and finances, we invite you to explore the possibilities of a Hardee's franchise.
The information presented may have changed since first published. We recommend that you always verify fees, investment amounts and offers with the business opportunity directly prior to making a decision to invest.
1. What training and ongoing support do you provide?
You want to know what happens after you pay the initial fee. A strong franchisor provides comprehensive pre-opening training, site-selection help, operational playbooks, and continuous assistance with marketing, technology, and supply chains.
2. What is the total initial investment, and did actual startup costs match the estimates in Item 7 of the FDD?
The Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) lists estimated startup costs in Item 7, but real-world expenses can run higher. Asking how closely current owners tracked to these estimates reveals if you need extra working capital or if hidden fees exist.
3. How do royalties and local/national marketing fees impact profitability?
You need to understand ongoing financial obligations-such as monthly royalty percentages and ad fund contributions-and evaluate whether the brand value and support justify cutting into your profit margins.
4. What are the common challenges new franchisees face, and how do you help them overcome them?
Transparent franchisors will openly discuss real hurdles like local competition, tight labor markets, or supply chain bottlenecks, and show you the exact playbook or field support they offer to solve them as well as allowing you to speak with other franchisees.
5. How many franchise locations have closed or left the system in the past few years, and why?
High turnover, store closures, or quiet franchise exits are major red flags. This question measures system stability, territory health, and whether the corporate team addresses struggling owners or lets them fail.
Food and Beverage Franchises