Does the text mention the year when Carls Jr. began franchising?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Our predecessor is Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., a California corporation incorporated on February 7, 1966, whose principal place of business was 6307 Carpinteria Avenue, Carpinteria, California 93013. On March 26, 2013, it was converted from a corporation to a limited liability company, Carl Karcher Enterprises LLC, a Delaware limited liability company formed on February 25, 2013. Effective October 7, 2013, Carl Karcher Enterprises LLC was converted to a California limited liability company. Carl Karcher Enterprises LLC has the same principal place of business as ours. (Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc. and Carl Karcher Enterprises LLC will be collectively referred to in this disclosure document as "CKE".) CKE operated Carl's Jr. Restaurants from 1966 until March 31, 2013. CKE also offered franchises for Carl's Jr. Restaurants from 1984 until March 31, 2013. From 1997 to 1998, CKE also offered franchises to operate Carl's Jr./Hardee's Dual Concept Restaurants. CKE has not engaged in any other business or offered franchises in any other line of business.
Source: Item 1 — THE FRANCHISOR, AND ANY PARENTS, PREDECESSORS, AND AFFILIATES (FDD pages 8–20)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, the company's predecessor, Carl Karcher Enterprises (CKE), began offering franchises for Carls Jr. Restaurants in 1984. CKE continued to offer these franchises until March 31, 2013. Additionally, from 1997 to 1998, CKE offered franchises for Carl's Jr./Hardee's Dual Concept Restaurants.
This indicates that Carls Jr. has a long history of franchising, dating back to the mid-1980s. Prospective franchisees should note that the franchising was initially conducted through CKE before the current franchisor, CJR, took over operations. The document specifies that CKE assigned all existing franchise agreements and development agreements to CJR on April 1, 2013.
For a prospective franchisee, this history provides insight into the brand's experience with the franchise model. It also highlights the transition in 2013 when the current franchisor assumed responsibility for the Carls Jr. system. Understanding this history and the entities involved can be crucial for assessing the stability and future direction of the franchise system.