Is a Carls Jr. franchisee required to adequately staff each shift with qualified employees?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
During the term of this Agreement, Franchisee shall use the Franchised Location solely for the operation of the Franchised Restaurant and shall maintain sufficient inventories, adequately staff each shift with qualified employees and continuously operate the Franchised Restaurant at its maximum capacity and efficiency for the minimum number of days and hours set forth in the OPM or as CJR otherwise prescribes in writing (subject to the requirements of local laws and licensing requirements).
You must use the Franchised Restaurant solely for the operation of the Carl's Jr. Restaurant and must maintain sufficient inventories, adequately staff each shift with qualified employees and continuously operate the Franchised Restaurant as we specify in the OPM or otherwise in writing.
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 are required to adequately staff each shift with qualified employees. The franchisee must maintain sufficient inventories and continuously operate the franchised restaurant at its maximum capacity and efficiency for the minimum number of days and hours that Carls Jr. specifies in its Operations Procedures Manual (OPM) or in writing, while also adhering to local laws and licensing requirements.
Carls Jr. also provides training programs, such as the Franchise Management Training Program (FMTP), to help franchisees and their employees learn how to operate a restaurant according to Carls Jr.'s standards. The FMTP includes restaurant training and training on Star University (StarU), Carls Jr.'s online Learning Management System. The franchisee is responsible for ensuring their employees receive adequate training.
These requirements ensure that Carls Jr. restaurants maintain consistent quality and service, which protects the brand's reputation. Franchisees must adhere to these staffing and operational standards to remain in compliance with the franchise agreement. Failure to meet these requirements could result in intervention from Carls Jr., potentially at the franchisee's expense, to resolve issues and maintain system standards.