Hardee's logo

Hardee's

Burgers
Investment
$1,375,000
Initial Franchise Fee
$25,000
Units
2,037
Growth Rate
-5%

Overview

Industry
Food
Founded
1960
Franchising Since
1962
Parent Company
CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc.
Leadership
Joe Guith, CEO
# of Employees at HQ
426

Units and Growth Chart

About Hardee's

From their bacon-topped burgers to their spicy chicken sandwiches, everything about Hardee's may be good to the last bite! The Hardee's menu includes many favorites, including hand-breaded biscuits, gravy, and even their famous monster biscuit.

Hardee's was founded in 1960 and is currently franchised by CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc. The first Hardee’s restaurant was opened in Greenville, North Carolina, but the brand has since grown. Hardee’s now boasts over 1,500 franchises across the United States, as well as over 400 internationally. Some are located in Pakistan, Asia, Latin America, and other mid-eastern countries. 

Hardee’s may be known for its burgers, but it also sells chicken sandwiches, biscuits, and other potential favorites.

Why You May Want to Start a Hardee's Franchise

Hardee's caters to a community environment by inviting customers from diverse backgrounds to come together to eat delicious food and have a good time. 

Hardee’s has worked to make improvements to its existing takeaway and home delivery system. The franchise believes it uses the newest technologies to come up with the state-of-the-art systems. Their models use technology to track orders and deliveries, as well. It may reduce labor and make everything easier for employees, while also improving the customer experience.

When you open a Hardee's franchise, you are also entering a brand that has more than fifty years of experience in the food industry. Hardee's franchised restaurants have been operational since 1962 and have accumulated a wealth of experience and specific expertise, potentially leading to their newer franchisees succeeding with the backing of an experienced company.

What Might Make a Hardee’s Franchise a Good Choice?

To be part of Hardee's 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.

Hardee’s has partnered with third-party financial sources that may help you cover the franchise fee, startup cost, equipment, inventory, and payroll if necessary. 

Hardee’s offers a substantial discount off the franchise fee for qualified veterans, potentially making the company a good one for veterans to consider. 

How To Open a Hardee’s Franchise

To open your own Hardee's franchise, you should first submit an inquiry form. If you are seen as a good fit, you may hear from a Hardee's franchise representative to guide you on the next steps towards opening your own location. 

Before making any financial commitment or signing an agreement, you must perform your due diligence and establish if this is the right opportunity for you. Speak to existing franchisees and ask questions directed to the Hardee's team. If your net worth and available liquid capital match the brand’s requirements, you may qualify to open a Hardee's franchise, and you can get started with an initial investment and relevant training.

With that, you may be well on your way to dishing up some of the tastiest burgers in town!

Investment Details

Initial Franchise Fee
$25,000
Initial Investment
$1,375,000 - $2,637,395
Net Worth Requirement
$1,000,000
Cash Requirement
$300,000
Royalty Fee
4%
Ad Royalty Fee
5.5%
Technology Fee
0
Term of Agreement
20 years
Is Franchise Term Renewable?
Yes
Financing
Third Party
Veterans Incentive
N/A

Available Territories

Franchising opportunities available in the following regions

United States

States

Alabama Arkansas Florida Georgia Iowa Illinois Indiana Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Massachusetts Maryland Michigan Minnesota Missouri Mississippi Montana North Carolina North Dakota Nebraska New Hampshire New Jersey Ohio Pennsylvania South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Virginia Wisconsin West Virginia Wyoming
International

Training & Support Programs

Comprehensive training and ongoing support to help you succeed

Training

On the Job Training
400 hours
Classroom Training
51 hours

Ongoing Support

Newsletter
Meetings & Conventions
Toll-Free Line
Grand Opening
Online Support
Security & Safety Procedures
Field Operations
Site Selection
Proprietary Software
Franchisee Intranet Platform

Marketing Support

Co-op Advertising
Ad Templates
National Media
Regional Advertising
Social Media
SEO
Website Development
Email Marketing
Loyalty Program/App

Operations & Requirements

Key operational details and requirements for running this franchise

Is absentee ownership allowed?
No
Can this franchise be run from home/mobile unit?
No
Can this franchise be run part time?
No
# of employees required to run
0
Are exclusive territories available?
Yes

Ranking History

Hardee's performance in the Franchise rankings over recent years

Find Your Perfect Franchise Match

See which franchises fit your budget and have open territories near you.

Sign Up for Our Franchise Newsletter

Stay up to date on the latest news and trends affecting the franchise industry.

Disclaimer
The information on this page is not intended as an endorsement or recommendation of any particular franchise or business opportunity by Entrepreneur Media. Our listings and rankings are solely research tools you can use to compare opportunities. Entrepreneur stresses that you should always conduct your own independent investigation before investing in a franchise or business opportunity. That should include reviewing the company's legal documents, consulting with an attorney and an accountant, and talking to former and current franchisees/licensees/dealers.
Updated: December 12th, 2022