When did Carvel become an Affiliated Program, indirectly related to Hardees?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Carvel franchises Carvel® ice cream shoppes and is a leading retailer of branded ice cream cakes in the United States and a producer of premium soft-serve ice cream. The Carvel system became an Affiliated Program in October 2001 and became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2004. Carvel's predecessor began franchising retail ice cream shoppes in 1947. As of December 31, 2024, there were 336 franchised Carvel shoppes in the United States and 39 franchised Carvel shoppes outside the United States.
Cinnabon franchises Cinnabon® bakeries that feature oven-hot cinnamon rolls, as well as other baked treats and specialty beverages. It also licenses independent third parties to operate domestic and international franchised Cinnabon® bakeries and Seattle's Best Coffee® franchises on military bases in the United States and in certain international countries, and to use the Cinnabon trademarks on products dissimilar to those offered in Cinnabon bakeries. In November 2004, the Cinnabon system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Cinnabon's predecessor began franchising in 1990. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,002 franchised and 28 affiliate-owned Cinnabon bakeries in the United States, 1,040 franchised Cinnabon bakeries outside the United States, and 193 franchised Seattle's Best Coffee units 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, Carvel became an Affiliated Program in October 2001. Subsequently, Carvel became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2004. Roark Capital Management, LLC manages private equity funds that provide Hardees with affiliations to other franchise programs, but none of these affiliates operate a Hardees Restaurant franchise.
GoTo Foods is the indirect parent company to several franchisors, including Carvel, Auntie Anne's, Cinnabon, Jamba, McAlister's, Moe's, and Schlotzsky's. All seven GoTo Foods franchisors share the same principal place of business.
For a prospective Hardees franchisee, this affiliation means that Hardees is part of a larger network of franchise brands under the Roark Capital Management umbrella. While franchisees won't directly operate a Carvel franchise, understanding the structure and relationships within the affiliated programs can provide insight into the broader business ecosystem Hardees operates within.