Is a Hardees developer required to comply with the obligations and mandatory specifications outlined in the Hardees Development Guide?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
HR will provide Developer for the Development Term one copy of, or provide Developer electronic access to, the Development Guide. The Development Guide contains mandatory specifications and standards relating to construction of Hardee's Restaurants and information relating to Developer's other obligations under this Agreement. Developer agrees to comply fully with these obligations and mandatory
specifications. The Development Guide may be supplemented or amended from time to time by letter, email, bulletin, construction standards manuals, software or other communications concerning the Hardee's System to reflect changes in the image, specifications and standards relating to the development and construction of a Hardee's Restaurant. Supplements or amendments to the Development Guide also may contain, among other matters, minimum standards and requirements for constructing, equipping and furnishing a Hardee's Restaurant. HR reserves the right to furnish all or part of the Development Guide to Developer in electronic form or online (including by Intranet) and establish terms of use for access to any restricted portion of HR's web site. Developer shall keep its copy of the Development Guide current and up-to-date with all additions and deletions provided by HR and shall purchase whatever equipment and related services (including, without limitation, computer system, Internet service, dedicated phone line, etc.) as may be necessary to receive these communications. If a dispute relating to the contents of the Development Guide develops, the master copy maintained by HR at its principal offices shall control.
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 85–541)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a developer is required to comply with the obligations and mandatory specifications outlined in the Hardees Development Guide. Hardees will provide the developer with a copy of the Development Guide for the duration of the development term, or provide electronic access to it.
The Development Guide includes mandatory specifications and standards for constructing Hardee's restaurants, along with information about the developer's other obligations under the agreement. These specifications and standards relate to the development and construction of a Hardee's Restaurant. The guide may be updated with supplements or amendments via letters, emails, bulletins, construction standards manuals, software, or other communications to reflect changes in the Hardee's system image.
Supplements or amendments to the Development Guide may also include minimum standards and requirements for constructing, equipping, and furnishing a Hardee's Restaurant. Hardees retains the right to provide the Development Guide in electronic form or online, establishing terms of use for accessing any restricted portions of their website. The developer is responsible for keeping their copy of the Development Guide current with all updates from Hardees and for purchasing any necessary equipment and services to receive these communications. In case of a dispute regarding the contents of the Development Guide, the master copy maintained by Hardees at its principal offices will be the controlling version.