When did the Carvel system become affiliated with GoTo Foods, and how does this timeline relate to Carls Jr.?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Carvel franchises Carvel® ice cream shoppes and is a leading retailer of branded ice cream cakes in the United States and a producer of premium soft-serve ice cream. The Carvel system became an Affiliated Program in October 2001 and became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2004.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–20)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, the Carvel system became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2004. The FDD indicates that GoTo Foods is the indirect parent company to several franchisors, including Carvel, Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister's, Moe's, and Schlotzsky's. These brands are considered Affiliated Programs.
Carls Jr. is not directly affiliated with GoTo Foods. However, the document states that through control with private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC, Carls Jr. is affiliated with other franchise programs, though none of these affiliates operate a Carls Jr. franchise. This suggests a degree of separation between Carls Jr. and the GoTo Foods brands, despite the potential for shared ownership or management at a higher level.
For a prospective Carls Jr. franchisee, this information highlights the broader corporate structure and potential affiliations that exist. While Carls Jr. franchisees won't directly interact with Carvel or other GoTo Foods brands, understanding these relationships can provide insight into the overall stability, resources, and strategic direction of the Carls Jr. franchise system. It also demonstrates that the parent company has experience managing and growing multiple franchise brands, which could be a positive factor for franchisees.