What Computer/POS System hardware is typically required for a Carls Jr. Restaurant?
Carls Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
ranchisee benefits directly or on a pro rata basis from expenditure of the funds.
Generally, CJR believes that it will spend all advertising payments during the taxable year in which the contribution and earnings are received. If we do not spend the advertising payments in one year, we will spend them in the following year.
Electronic Cash Register/Point of Sale System
A Carl's Jr. Restaurant typically requires a Computer/POS System consisting of 4 POS terminals and 6 kitchen display monitors. You must purchase or lease PAR ES600 or PAR ES8500 terminals. These systems record customer transactions and collect and generate gross sales reports (including sales by categories) for the Franchised Restaurant. In addition, (i) you must purchase or lease Brink Kitchen Display
Systems and a back-office workstation as recommended by the software provider, and (ii) you must have met our required connectivity standards (currently, (a) Cisco Meraki Firewall/Router with Advanced Security License; (b) Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Points, Cisco Meraki 48 port switch; (c) highly reliable internet with auto-failure to LTE Backup; and (d)Wi-Fi for guests (if Internet speeds are fast enough to support it) and back of house operations. The hardware for the connectivity currently includes security appliance – Meraki MX68 w/Advanced Security License, wireless access Points – Meraki MR33, and managed switch – Meraki MS120.
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 41–54)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Carls's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, a typical Carls Jr. restaurant requires a Computer/POS system that includes specific hardware components. This system generally consists of 4 POS terminals and 6 kitchen display monitors. Franchisees are required to either purchase or lease PAR ES600 or PAR ES8500 terminals for recording customer transactions and generating gross sales reports.
In addition to the POS terminals and kitchen display monitors, franchisees must also purchase or lease Brink Kitchen Display Systems and a back-office workstation as recommended by the software provider. Carls requires specific connectivity standards, including a Cisco Meraki Firewall/Router with Advanced Security License, Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Points, a Cisco Meraki 48 port switch, highly reliable internet with auto-failure to LTE Backup, and Wi-Fi for guests and back-of-house operations. The hardware for this connectivity includes a Meraki MX68 security appliance with an Advanced Security License, Meraki MR33 wireless access points, and a Meraki MS120 managed switch.
Carls franchisees are obligated to upgrade or update these systems and add or replace components during the term of the Franchise Agreement. The FDD states that there is no contractual limitation on the frequency or cost of this obligation, meaning that franchisees could face ongoing expenses to maintain and update their technology infrastructure. The purchase price of the required hardware, software and support ranges from approximately $35,000 to $45,000, depending on the vendor selected.