Is a Hardees franchisee required to participate in all customer loyalty programs implemented by HR during the term of the Franchise Agreement?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In order to (among other things) maintain and enhance the goodwill associated with the Proprietary Marks, the System and each Hardee's Restaurant, Franchisee agrees to participate in programs initiated to verify customer satisfaction and/or Franchisee's compliance with all operational and other aspects of the System, including (but not limited to) secret shoppers, customer survey, or other Quality Assurance ("QA") or similar programs as HR may require. HR will share the results of these programs, as they pertain to the Franchised Restaurant, with Franchisee. Franchisee will reimburse HR for all costs related to the Franchised Restaurant associated with any and all of these programs.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 85)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees must participate in programs initiated by Hardees (referred to as HR) to verify customer satisfaction. These programs aim to maintain and enhance the goodwill associated with the Hardees brand, system, and each Hardees restaurant. These programs include, but are not limited to, secret shoppers, customer surveys, or other Quality Assurance (QA) or similar programs as HR may require.
Hardees will share the results of these programs with the franchisee, specifically as they pertain to the franchised restaurant. The franchisee is responsible for reimbursing Hardees for all costs related to the franchised restaurant associated with these programs.
This means that a Hardees franchisee is obligated to participate in customer satisfaction and quality assurance programs implemented by Hardees and must bear the costs associated with these programs. This participation is a condition of maintaining the franchise agreement and ensuring brand consistency and customer satisfaction across all Hardees locations.