What are the acceptable designated individuals who must provide on-site supervision at a Hardees franchised restaurant?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Franchised Restaurant shall at all times be under the on-site supervision of one of the following designated individuals, who must meet, to the satisfaction of HR, HR's applicable training qualifications for their designated position: the Operating Principal, a Multi-Unit Manager, or a restaurant General Manager. Franchisee must, at all times, employ for the Franchised Restaurant at least one General Manager and a sufficient number of employees who have successfully completed the FMTP or HR's then-current training as designated by HR 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.
Franchisee, Franchisee's Operating Principal or, if applicable, the Multi-Unit Manager shall remain active in overseeing the operations of the Franchised Restaurant, including without limitation, regular, periodic visits to the Franchised Restaurant and sufficient communications with HR to ensure that the Franchised Restaurant's operations comply with the operating standards as promulgated by HR from time to time in the OPM or otherwise in written or oral communications.
Franchisee shall hire, and at all times employ, a sufficient number of trained employees for the Franchised Restaurant and be exclusively responsible for the terms of their employment and compensation,
and for the proper training of such employees in the operation of the Franchised Restaurant, in human resources and customer relations. Franchisee shall establish at the Franchised Restaurant a training program for all employees that meets the standards prescribed by HR. Franchisee will be solely responsible for: (1) hiring, training and supervising efficient, competent and courteous employees of good character for the operation of the Franchised Restaurant; (2) the terms of their employment and compensation; and (3) the proper training of the employees in the operation of the Franchised Restaurant.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 85)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the franchised restaurant must have on-site supervision at all times. This supervision must be provided by one of the following designated individuals: the Operating Principal, a Multi-Unit Manager, or a restaurant General Manager. These individuals must also meet Hardees' applicable training qualifications for their designated position, to the satisfaction of Hardees.
In addition to on-site supervision, the franchisee must employ at least one General Manager and a sufficient number of employees who have successfully completed the Franchise Management Training Program (FMTP) or Hardees' then-current training. This ensures the restaurant operates according to Hardees' system standards. If the franchisee does not employ the required number of trained personnel, they have 30 days to hire and enroll replacement personnel in the FMTP or other designated training, and 90 days to ensure the replacement personnel complete the required training.
The franchisee, the Operating Principal, or the Multi-Unit Manager must remain active in overseeing the restaurant's operations. This includes regular visits to the restaurant and sufficient communication with Hardees to ensure compliance with operating standards, as communicated in the Operations Procedures Manual (OPM) or through written or oral communications. The franchisee is responsible for hiring and training a sufficient number of employees and for the terms of their employment and compensation. They are also responsible for properly training employees in operations, human resources, and customer relations, and for establishing a training program that meets Hardees' standards.