What training programs must a Carls Jr. franchisee's employees successfully complete before opening?
Carls_Jr Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
CJR shall provide Franchisee and those employees hired by Franchisee to fill certain designated positions the Franchise Management Training Program ("FMTP") in the operation of a Carl's Jr. Restaurant at those times and those places designated by CJR. The FMTP will include training at a Carl's Jr. Restaurant
designated by CJR and training on Star University (StarU), our online Learning Management System. Franchisee, the General Manager, a minimum of 6 Shift Leaders and any other employees hired by Franchisee to fill certain designated positions shall attend and satisfactorily complete each element of the FMTP, specified by CJR. Franchisee's Operating Principal (as defined in Section 16.G.) also shall attend and satisfactorily complete each element of the FMTP if not previously completed. CJR reserves the right to modify or waive the training required based on an individual's or Franchisee's experience.
Franchisee must, at all times, employ at the Franchised Restaurant at least one General Manager and a sufficient number of employees who have successfully completed the FMTP or CJR's then-current training as designated by CJR to ensure that the Franchised Restaurant operates in accordance with the System. If, at any time, Franchisee ceases to employ the required number of trained personnel, Franchisee has 30 days (from the date on which Franchisee has less than the required number of trained personnel) to hire and enroll replacement personnel in the FMTP or other designated training requirements, and 90 days to ensure that such replacement personnel has completed the required training requirements.
Source: Item 22 — CONTRACTS (FDD pages 75–76)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to the 2025 Carls Jr. Franchise Disclosure Document, a franchisee and certain employees must complete the Franchise Management Training Program (FMTP). This program covers the operation of a Carls Jr. restaurant and includes training at a designated Carls Jr. restaurant and online via Star University (StarU), Carls Jr.'s Learning Management System.
Specifically, the franchisee, the General Manager, a minimum of 6 Shift Leaders, and any other employees hired to fill designated positions must attend and satisfactorily complete each element of the FMTP as specified by Carls Jr. Additionally, the franchisee's Operating Principal must also complete the FMTP if they have not done so previously.
Carls Jr. retains the right to modify or waive the training requirements based on an individual's or franchisee's prior experience. Furthermore, the franchisee is responsible for ensuring that the Franchised Restaurant is always supervised by a qualified individual who has met Carls Jr.'s training standards, such as the Operating Principal, a Multi-Unit Manager, or a restaurant General Manager. The franchisee must also employ enough staff who have completed the FMTP or other training designated by Carls Jr. to maintain operational standards. If the number of trained personnel falls below the required level, the franchisee has 30 days to hire and enroll replacement personnel and 90 days for them to complete the necessary training.