How long does Carls Jr. have to review the construction plans for my proposed Carls Jr. restaurant?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
We will review the construction plans for the proposed Franchised Restaurant and notify you within 30 days after we receive the plans, or such longer period as we require, whether the plans are approved. (Franchise Agreement, §4.B.).
Source: Item 11 — FRANCHISOR'S ASSISTANCE, ADVERTISING, COMPUTER SYSTEMS, AND TRAINING (FDD pages 42–55)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, Carls Jr. will review the construction plans for your proposed restaurant. After you submit the construction plans, Carls Jr. will notify you of their approval status within 30 days of receipt. However, Carls Jr. may require a longer period to complete the review.
This means that as a prospective franchisee, you need to factor in a potential delay beyond the initial 30-day window when planning your construction timeline. It is important to maintain open communication with Carls Jr. during this review period to understand if any additional time will be needed and what might be causing the delay.
While 30 days is a fairly standard review period in the franchise industry, the clause allowing for a longer review period gives Carls Jr. flexibility. As a franchisee, you should inquire about the typical length of review and the factors that might extend it to better manage your project timeline and budget.