What Next Generation Connectivity equipment and services are required for a Carls Jr. franchisee to receive Support Services from CKR?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
- 2.3 Required Equipment. Franchisee must install the following Next Generation Connectivity equipment and services in order to receive Support Services from CKR: 1) Cisco Meraki Firewall/Router with Advanced Security License; 2) Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Points, Cisco Meraki 48 port switch; 3) highly reliable internet with auto failover LTE backup; 4) Wi-Fi for guests (if Internet speeds are fast enough to support it) and back of house operations.
Franchisee must contract with a CKR approved managed service provider to monitor and maintain their network equipment (currently this is limited to AT&T and One Source Communications).
Franchisee agrees to procure and install such required dedicated data lines, including telephone and/or high-speed Internet connections, modems and other computer-related accessory or peripheral equipment as specified by CKR and/or Franchisor.
Franchisee's dedicated data lines for each Franchised Restaurant are identified in Exhibit A.
Source: Item 23 — RECEIPTS (FDD pages 76–364)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, to receive support services from CKR, a franchisee must install specific Next Generation Connectivity equipment and services. This includes a Cisco Meraki Firewall/Router with an Advanced Security License, Cisco Meraki Wireless Access Points, and a Cisco Meraki 48 port switch.
In addition to the Cisco Meraki equipment, a Carls Jr. franchisee needs to have a highly reliable internet connection that includes an auto failover LTE backup. If the internet speeds are sufficient, the franchisee must also provide Wi-Fi for guests and for back-of-house operations.
Furthermore, the franchisee is required to contract with a CKR-approved managed service provider to monitor and maintain their network equipment. Currently, the approved providers are limited to AT&T and One Source Communications. The franchisee also agrees to procure and install dedicated data lines, including telephone and/or high-speed Internet connections, modems, and other computer-related equipment as specified by CKR and/or the Franchisor. The specific dedicated data lines for each franchised restaurant are detailed in Exhibit A of the Franchise Agreement.