What are the requirements for a Multi-Unit Development Manager for a Carls Jr. franchise?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you are developing Franchised Restaurants in multiple geographic markets, for all markets in which the Development Principal fails to satisfy our requirements, you must designate and retain an individual to serve as Multi-Unit Development Manager. The Multi-Unit Development Manager will be under the supervision of the Development Principal. The Multi-Unit Development Manager must devote full time and best efforts to supervising the development of the Franchised Restaurants and other restaurants that are to be operated by you that are franchised by us or our affiliates in a geographic market, successfully complete our development training, the FMTP and any additional training required by us, and be approved by us. In addition, the Multi-Unit Development Manager must maintain his/her primary residence within a reasonable driving distance of the Development Territory, unless waived in writing by us.
Source: Item 15 — OBLIGATION TO PARTICIPATE IN THE ACTUAL OPERATION OF THE FRANCHISE BUSINESS (FDD pages 59–61)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, a Multi-Unit Development Manager is required if a franchisee is developing franchised restaurants in multiple geographic markets and the Development Principal fails to meet Carls Jr.'s requirements. The Multi-Unit Development Manager operates under the supervision of the Development Principal.
The Multi-Unit Development Manager must commit their full time and best efforts to overseeing the development of Carls Jr. restaurants, as well as other restaurants franchised by Carls Jr. or its affiliates, within a specific geographic market. This individual must also successfully complete Carls Jr.'s development training, the FMTP (Franchise Management Training Program), and any additional training that Carls Jr. requires. Furthermore, Carls Jr. must approve the designated Multi-Unit Development Manager.
In addition to training and supervision responsibilities, the Multi-Unit Development Manager is generally required to maintain their primary residence within a reasonable driving distance of the Development Territory. However, Carls Jr. may waive this residency requirement in writing at its discretion. This ensures the manager is accessible and able to effectively oversee development activities in the designated area.