Does CJR provide prototypical plans and specifications for a Carls Jr. Restaurant?
Carls Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
5. Furnish you with prototypical plans and specifications for a Carl's Jr. Restaurant, including requirements for dimensions, design image, interior layout, décor, fixtures, equipment, signs, furnishings, storefront and color scheme. (Development Agreement, § 6). It will be your responsibility to have prepared all required construction plans and specifications to suit the shape and dimensions of the location of your Franchised Restaurant ("Franchised Location"), and you must ensure that these plans and specifications comply with applicable ordinances, building codes and permit requirements and with lease requirements and restrictions. You must use only registered architects, registered engineers, and professional and licensed contractors.
We will review the construction plans for the proposed Franchised Restaurant and notify you within 30 days after we receive the plans, or such longer period as we require, whether the plans are approved. (Franchise Agreement, §4.B.).
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 41–54)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to the 2024 FDD, Carls provides franchisees with prototypical plans and specifications for a Carl's Jr. Restaurant. These plans include requirements for dimensions, design image, interior layout, décor, fixtures, equipment, signs, furnishings, storefront, and color scheme. However, it is the franchisee's responsibility to prepare all required construction plans and specifications to suit the shape and dimensions of the specific Franchised Location, ensuring compliance with applicable ordinances, building codes, permit requirements, and lease restrictions.
Carls requires franchisees to use only registered architects, registered engineers, and professional and licensed contractors for these preparations. Once the franchisee has prepared the construction plans, they must submit them to Carls for review. Carls will then notify the franchisee within 30 days of receiving the plans, or within a longer period if required, whether the plans are approved.
This process ensures that while Carls provides a standard design and specification framework, the franchisee is responsible for adapting it to their specific location and ensuring compliance with local regulations. This division of responsibility is common in franchising, allowing the franchisor to maintain brand consistency while the franchisee manages local construction requirements. The franchisee bears the costs of adapting the prototype plans, but Carls provides consultation and advice regarding construction or renovation and operation of the Franchised Restaurant, building layout, furnishings, fixtures and equipment plans and specifications.