Is a Hardees franchisee required to participate in food safety and brand standards audit programs specified by HR?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
Franchisee must meet and maintain the highest public health standards and ratings applicable to the operation of the Franchised Restaurant. Franchisee must participate in all food safety and brand standards audit programs specified by HR from time to time. The Franchised Restaurant must undergo the then current number of audits per year as required by HR, which may be at Franchisee's expense, at HR's sole discretion. The Franchised Restaurant must adhere to the terms outlined in the Red Audit Policy for thirdparty food safety audits. Franchisee must furnish to HR, within five days after its receipt, a copy of all inspection reports, warnings, citations, certificates and/or ratings resulting from inspections conducted by any federal, state or municipal agency with jurisdiction over the Franchised Restaurant. HR's System Standards for health and safety are set forth in the OPM and other written materials. To the extent that any federal, state, or municipal agency's health and safety standards exceed those set forth in HR's System Standards, the Franchised Restaurant must meet the federal, state, or municipal agency's standards to be in compliance with HR's standards. Without limiting the foregoing, Franchisee and all required employees of Franchisee must obtain and maintain all necessary and required licenses and certificates for food service and food handling as may be required by applicable local rules and regulations or the OPM.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 85)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, franchisees are required to participate in food safety and brand standards audit programs. Hardees requires franchisees to meet and maintain the highest public health standards applicable to the restaurant's operation.
As part of maintaining these standards, franchisees must participate in all food safety and brand standards audit programs that Hardees specifies. The number of audits per year will be determined by Hardees, and these audits may be at the franchisee's expense, depending on Hardees' discretion. Franchisees must also adhere to the terms outlined in the Red Audit Policy for third-party food safety audits.
Furthermore, franchisees are obligated to provide Hardees with copies of all inspection reports, warnings, citations, certificates, and ratings resulting from inspections conducted by any federal, state, or municipal agency with jurisdiction over the Franchised Restaurant within five days of receipt. Franchisees and all required employees must also obtain and maintain all necessary licenses and certificates for food service and food handling as required by local rules and regulations or the OPM (Operating Procedures Manual).