When does the Hardees franchisee begin paying Software Support Fees to CKR?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
with the then current Franchisor approved equipment.
- 1.3 "Fiscal Period" or "Period" means a four-week accounting period as defined by CKR.
- 1.4 "Licensed Products" means collectively the software systems designed by PAR Brink and CrunchTime for use as part of each Franchised Restaurant as further described in attached Exhibit B.
Software Support Agreement 5/25
- 1.5 "Support Services" means telephonic help desk Level 1 and 2 maintenance services provided by CKR for the Licensed Products and Covered Equipment as described on Exhibit A.
- 1.6 "Software Support Fees" means that fees payable by Franchisee to CKR for the Support Services.
ARTICLE 2
SUPPORT SERVICES
- 2.1 Support Services. CKR will provide the Support Services to Franchisee subject to the terms and conditions of this Agreement. CKR, in its sole discretion, may subcontract with third party vendor(s) to provide the Support Services directly to Franchisee. Franchisee ma
Source: Item 23 — Receipts (FDD pages 85–541)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must begin paying Software Support Fees to CKR (CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.) at the end of the first Fiscal Period following the date of the Software Support Agreement. The fees are paid via ACH payment, with the specific amounts and frequency detailed in Exhibit A of the agreement. A 'Fiscal Period' is defined as a four-week accounting period determined by CKR.
CKR retains the right to increase the Software Support Fees, but they must provide the franchisee with 60 days' prior written notice before implementing any changes. This allows the franchisee time to adjust their budget and business plan accordingly. The Software Support Fees cover in-house technical support provided by CKR for the Licensed Products and Covered Equipment, which includes telephonic help desk Level 1 and 2 maintenance services.
In addition to the ongoing Software Support Fees, Hardees franchisees must also purchase and participate in mandatory initial training programs for the PAR Brink and Crunch Time software. This initial training comes at a one-time cost of $1,250, which CKR will bill to the franchisee upon execution of the Software Support Agreement. Additional training programs may be available at CKR's discretion, but these would incur further fees. Franchisees are also responsible for any applicable sales, use, or value-added taxes related to the software licenses or the agreement itself.