How does Carls Jr. provide advice and consultation to franchisees regarding the operation of their Carls Jr. restaurant?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
training to you, if we decide to offer any additional training. We reserve the right to require you to pay a tuition fee for these additional training programs, and you will be required to pay all travel, living and other expenses incurred by your employees while attending the training. (Franchise Agreement, §11.B.)
- 5. Provide periodic advice and consultation to you in connection with the operation of the Franchised Restaurant as we deem appropriate or necessary. We will provide to you, as we deem appropriate or necessary, our knowledge and expertise regarding the Carl's Jr. System and pertinent new developments, techniques and improvements in the areas of restaurant design, management, system and tools, food and beverage preparation, sales promotion, service concepts, overall restaurant operations, financial metrics, and other areas. We may provide these services through visits by our representatives to the Franchised Restaurant or your offices, the distribution of printed or filmed material or electronic information, meetings or seminars, telephone communications, email communications or other communications. (Franchise Agreement, §12.C.)
- 6. Conduct inspections of the Franchised Restaurant and evaluations of the products sold and services rendered as we deem appropriate or necessary. (Franchise Agreement, §12.D.; Co-Brand Location Addendum, § 7)
Advertising
During the term of the Franchise Agreement, you will have an advertising and promotion obligation ("APO"), paid on a weekly basis, in the amount set forth in an appendix to the Franchise Agreement. You will pay that portion of the APO as we direct to the Production Fund described in the next paragraph. The remainder of the APO shall be paid, at the same time and in the same manner as the royalty fee, to a Media Fund. Currently, approximately 1.0% of Gross Sales is paid to the Production Fund and 5% of Gross Sales is paid to the Media Fund. CJR reserves the right to reallocate or change the APO split. There is no franchisee advertising council that advises CJR on advertising policy.
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. offers franchisees periodic advice and consultation regarding the operation of their franchised restaurant as deemed appropriate or necessary. This includes sharing knowledge and expertise related to the Carl's Jr. system, along with new developments and improvements in areas such as restaurant design, management, systems and tools, food and beverage preparation, sales promotion, service concepts, overall restaurant operations, and financial metrics.
Carls Jr. may deliver these advisory services through various channels, including visits by their representatives to the franchisee's restaurant or offices, distribution of printed, filmed, or electronic information, meetings or seminars, telephone and email communications, or other forms of communication. Additionally, franchisees can receive consultation and advice at no extra cost regarding construction or renovation, restaurant operation, building layout, furnishings, fixtures and equipment plans, training, purchasing and inventory control, and other matters deemed appropriate by Carls Jr.
Furthermore, Carls Jr. provides franchisees with electronic access to its confidential and proprietary OPM (Operating Procedures Manual), which contains information and knowledge critical to the Carl's Jr. system. Franchisees are allowed to inspect a copy of the OPM before purchasing a franchise, provided they sign a Confidentiality Agreement. Carls Jr. also offers assistance, upon request, in opening the franchised restaurant and training employees, although they reserve the right to charge a fee for the opening training support team, depending on the level of support required.