What does Carls Jr. furnish to the franchisee regarding the restaurant's design?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
of this Agreement provide CJR with a copy of the fully-signed lease or sublease, together with the executed Carl's Jr. Lease Addendum in the form attached as Appendix G. For purposes of this Agreement, the effective date of the lease or sublease, or the closing date of the purchase of the real property, shall be the "Property Control Date".
4. CONSTRUCTION OF THE FRANCHISED RESTAURANT
A. Development Training
Franchisee shall complete, to CJR's satisfaction, any development training required by CJR. Franchisee shall pay CJR, for each person attending development training, a tuition fee as established by CJR from time to time. Franchisee also may attend optional development training as offered by CJR from time to time, subject to payment of a tuition fee as established by CJR from time to time. Franchisee will be required to pay all travel, living and other expenses incurred by Franchisee and its employees while attending development training and optional development training.
B. Restaurant Development
Franchisee assumes all cost, liability and expense for developing, constructing and equipping the Franchised Restaurant. CJR will furnish to Franchisee prototypical plans and specifications for a Carl's Jr. Restaurant, including requirements for dimensions, design, image, interior layout, decor, fixtures, equipment, signs, furnishings, storefront and color scheme. It shall be Franchisee's responsibility to have prepared all required construction plans and specifications to suit the shape and dimensions of the Franchised Location and Franchisee must ensure that these plans and specifications comply with applicable ordinances, building codes and permit requirements and with lease requirements and restrictions. Franchisee shall use only registered architects, registered engineers, and professional and licensed contractors.
Franchisee shall submit proposed construction plans, specifications and drawings for the Franchised Restaurant ("Plans") to CJR and shall, upon CJR's request, submit all revised or "as built" Plans during the course of such construction. CJR will review the Plans and notify Franchisee within 30 days after CJR receives the Plans, or such longer period as CJR requires, whether the Plans are approved. CJR's approval shall not be unreasonably withheld.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 75–76)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, Carls Jr. will furnish prototypical plans and specifications for a Carl's Jr. Restaurant. These plans include requirements for dimensions, design, image, interior layout, decor, fixtures, equipment, signs, furnishings, storefront, and color scheme. The franchisee is then responsible for preparing all required construction plans and specifications to suit the location's shape and dimensions, ensuring compliance with applicable ordinances, building codes, permit requirements, and lease restrictions. Franchisees must use registered architects, registered engineers, and professional and licensed contractors for this purpose.
Carls Jr. also requires franchisees to use only fixtures, furnishings, equipment, and signs that Carls Jr. has approved. These items must meet Carls Jr.'s specifications and standards for quality, design, appearance, function, and performance. Franchisees must also display only signs, emblems, lettering, logos, and display materials that Carls Jr. approves in writing.
If a franchisee wants to use any fixtures, furnishings, equipment, or signs that have not been pre-approved, they must notify Carls Jr. in writing and submit specifications, photographs, drawings, or samples for approval. Carls Jr. will then decide whether to approve or disapprove the items within 30 days of receiving the request, or longer if necessary.