Can a Hardees Franchised Restaurant be a newly developed restaurant?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Franchised Restaurant may be a newly developed restaurant or the conversion of an existing quick service restaurant brand (at times referred to as a "Conversion Restaurant").
If the requirements for the 2025 HR Travel Center Development Incentive Program are not satisfied, then the Travel Center Location or Gas and Convenience Location may be eligible for the 2025 Development Incentive Program provided the following requirements are satisfied: (i) franchisee signs a Franchise Agreement for the development of a newly-constructed Hardee's Restaurant by no later than May 24, 2026 or franchisee signs a Franchise Agreement for the development of a newly constructed Hardee's Restaurant pursuant to the terms of a Development Agreement dated no later than May 24, 2026, (ii) franchisee must open the newly-constructed Hardee's Restaurant(s) by the date(s) outlined in the corresponding Development Agreement or Franchise Agreement, (iii) franchisee may not be in default of its obligations under its existing franchise agreements or related agreements with HR or its affiliates, (iv)
franchisee must be approved for growth by HR and its affiliates, (vi) franchisee must satisfy HR's thencurrent financial and operational requirements for new restaurant development, and (v) franchisee and the Hardee's Restaurant(s) otherwise meet the requirements of the 2025 Development Incentive Program.
To be eligible for the 2025 HR Travel Center Development Incentive Program, the following requirements must be satisfied: (i) the Travel Center Location or Gas and Convenience Location must be located within ½ mile of an interstate or limited access highway and must include a combination of high rise pylon sign, billboard or other highway sign (the "Travel Center Program"), (ii) the Travel Center Location or Gas and Convenience Location must be opened pursuant to a Development Agreement dated no later than May 24, 2026, that includes the development of at least three (3) newly-constructed Hardee's Restaurant(s), (iii) franchisee must open the Franchise Restaurants from a Travel Center Location or Gas and Convenience Location by the date(s) outlined in the corresponding Development Agreement, (iv) franchisee may not be in default of its obligations under its existing franchise agreements or related agreements with HR or its affiliates, (v) franchisee must be approved for growth by HR and its affiliates, (vi) franchisee must satisfy HR's then-current financial and operational requirements for new restaurant development, and (vii) franchisee and the Hardee's Restaurant(s) otherwise meet the requirements of the 2025 HR Travel Center Development Incentive Program.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Franchised Restaurant can be a newly developed restaurant or the conversion of an existing quick service restaurant. Hardees offers franchises to develop and operate restaurants at Travel Center Locations or Gas and Convenience Locations.
Hardees also provides development incentive programs for franchisees who sign a Development Agreement or Franchise Agreement for restaurants located at Travel Center or Gas and Convenience Locations. To be eligible for the 2025 HR Travel Center Development Incentive Program, the Travel Center or Gas and Convenience Location must be located within 1/2 mile of an interstate or limited access highway and include a high rise pylon sign, billboard, or other highway sign. The location must be opened under a Development Agreement no later than May 24, 2026, which includes the development of at least three newly-constructed Hardee's Restaurants.
To qualify for the 2025 Development Incentive Program, franchisees must sign a Franchise Agreement for the development of a newly-constructed Hardee's Restaurant by May 24, 2026, or a Development Agreement by the same date. Franchisees must open the newly-constructed Hardee's Restaurants by the dates outlined in the corresponding agreements and meet other requirements, including being approved for growth by Hardees and satisfying their financial and operational requirements for new restaurant development. If franchisees qualify for the 2025 Development Incentive Program, they will sign a 2025 DIP Addendum to the Franchise Agreement, which provides development incentives for the applicable Franchised Restaurants.