What was the total number of Carls restaurants at the end of 2024?
Carls Franchise · 2024 FDDAnswer from 2024 FDD Document
| Restaurant Type | Year | Restaurants at Start of the Year | Restaurants at End of the Year | Net Change |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Franchised | 2022 | 1031 | 1018 | -13 |
| 2023 | 1018 | 1020 | +2 | |
| 2024 | 1020 | 1014 | -6 | |
| Company- | 2022 | 48 | 48 | 0 |
| Operated | ||||
| 2023 | 48 | 49 | +1 | |
| 2024 | 49 | 49 | 0 | |
| Total Outlets | 2022 | 1079 | 1066 | -13 |
| 2023 | 1066 | 1068 | +2 | |
| 2024 | 1068 | 1063 | -5 |
Source: Item 20 — OUTLETS AND FRANCHISEE INFORMATION (FDD pages 72–79)
What This Means (2024 FDD)
According to Carls's 2024 Franchise Disclosure Document, at the end of fiscal year 2024, there were a total of 1,063 Carls restaurants. This number includes both franchised and company-operated locations. Specifically, there were 1,014 franchised restaurants and 49 company-operated restaurants.
When evaluating the data, it's important to note that Carls's fiscal year runs from the Tuesday subsequent to the last Monday in January through the last Monday in January of the next calendar year. This means the data reported for 2024 reflects the period ending in January 2025. The total number of restaurants decreased from 1,068 at the start of 2024 to 1,063 at the end of the year, representing a net decrease of 5 restaurants.
For a prospective franchisee, this information indicates the overall size and structure of the Carls franchise system. It also provides insight into the recent trends in the number of operating restaurants. A decrease in the number of restaurants, even a small one, could prompt further investigation into the reasons behind the change, such as closures, terminations, or non-renewals. Reviewing the state-by-state changes in restaurant counts may also reveal regional performance variations that could influence a franchisee's location decisions.