Does the FDD mention any affiliation between Carls Jr. and Take 5, Abra, or FUSA franchises?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Through control with private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC, we are affiliated with the following franchise programs ("Affiliated Programs"). None of these affiliates operates a Carl's Jr. franchise.
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, Carls Jr. is under common control with Take 5, ABRA, and FUSA franchises through private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC. Specifically, the FDD states that Carl's Jr. is affiliated with these franchise programs. However, the document explicitly notes that none of these affiliated programs operate a Carl's Jr. franchise.
This affiliation means that while Carls Jr. is part of a larger portfolio of franchise brands, there is no direct operational overlap. A Carls Jr. franchisee would not be directly involved in the operations of Take 5, ABRA, or FUSA, nor would those franchises be involved in the operations of Carls Jr. The common ownership primarily affects strategic and financial decisions at the parent company level.
For a prospective franchisee, this information indicates that Carls Jr. benefits from being part of a larger, more diversified franchise system. This could provide access to shared resources, best practices, and potentially better negotiating power with suppliers. However, it also means that decisions affecting the Carls Jr. brand could be influenced by the overall strategy of the parent company and its other franchise brands.