When did Auntie Anne's predecessor begin offering franchises, as an affiliated program to Hardees?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Auntie Anne's franchises Auntie Anne's® shops that offer soft pretzels, lemonade, frozen drinks, and related foods and beverages. In November 2010, the Auntie Anne's system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Auntie Anne's predecessor began offering franchises in January 1991. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,182 franchised and 11 affiliate-owned Auntie Anne's shops in the United States and 815 franchised Auntie Anne's shops outside the United States.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Auntie Anne's is listed as an affiliated franchise program through its indirect parent company, GoTo Foods Inc. The document states that Auntie Anne's predecessor began offering franchises in January 1991.
It's important to note that while Auntie Anne's is an affiliated program through common ownership, it is not directly affiliated with Hardees in terms of franchise operations. The affiliation arises from the control of private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC. This means that while there's a connection at the ownership level, the day-to-day operations and franchise agreements of Auntie Anne's are separate from those of Hardees.
For a prospective Hardees franchisee, this information provides context about the broader network of franchise brands under common ownership. While it doesn't directly impact the Hardees franchise, it could offer potential networking or learning opportunities within the larger Roark Capital Management portfolio. However, it's crucial to understand that the franchise agreements and operational standards are specific to each brand, including Hardees and Auntie Anne's.