Must a Carls Jr. franchisee offer customers online ordering and delivery services?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
You must offer to customers online ordering and delivery services pursuant to online ordering/delivery programs that we may from time to time establish with approved vendors and comply with our specifications regarding same.
CJR requires Franchisee to offer delivery services only through CJR's designated providers to customers in Franchisee's market. On or before the Opening Date of the Franchised Restaurant opens, Franchisee agrees to enter into the OLO Authorized Operator Agreement with Olo, Inc. Franchisee further agrees to enter into any participation agreement required with CJR's designated delivery providers at the same time (currently, the approved delivery providers are Uber Eats, Door Dash, and GrubHub). Unless CJR provides its prior written consent, Franchisee agrees that it will not provide its own delivery service or use its employees to deliver orders to Franchisee's customers.
Source: Item 16 — RESTRICTIONS ON WHAT THE FRANCHISEE MAY SELL (FDD page 61)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must offer online ordering and delivery services. Specifically, franchisees must participate in online ordering/delivery programs that Carls Jr. establishes with approved vendors and adhere to the brand's specifications.
Carls Jr. has designated OLO as the software platform provider for online ordering and has partnered with specific service providers for delivery. Franchisees are required to use approved third-party delivery service providers like Uber Eats, Door Dash, and GrubHub, if they operate in the restaurant's serviceable area. Any other delivery service providers must be pre-approved by Carls Jr.
Furthermore, Carls Jr. requires franchisees to offer delivery services only through their designated providers to customers in the franchisee's market. Franchisees must enter into the OLO Authorized Operator Agreement with Olo, Inc. and any participation agreements required with Carls Jr.'s designated delivery providers. Franchisees are prohibited from providing their own delivery service or using their employees for deliveries unless they obtain prior written consent from Carls Jr.