Are the costs paid to CJR refundable for a Carls Jr. franchise?

According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, costs paid directly to CJR (Carls Jr. Restaurants LLC) are non-refundable. However, the refundability of costs paid to third parties will depend on the specific practices in the area where the franchised restaurant is located.

Item 7 of the FDD outlines the estimated initial investment for a Carls Jr. franchise, including fees payable to CJR. These fees include the initial franchise fee, and opening training support team fee. The total fees payable to CJR range from $57,000 to $97,000. These fees are explicitly stated as non-refundable, meaning that a prospective franchisee should be certain of their decision before making these payments.

Prospective franchisees should carefully investigate the refund policies of all third-party vendors they will be working with, as these policies can vary significantly. Understanding these policies is crucial for managing financial risk during the initial investment phase. It is also important to note that the initial investment costs can vary widely, from $688,000 to $1,143,000, depending on factors such as location and build-out costs.