Does GoTo Foods Inc. operate any Hardees franchises?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
anchise Programs**
Through control with private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC, we are affiliated with the following franchise programs ("Affiliated Programs"). None of these affiliates operate a Hardee's Restaurants franchise.
GoTo Foods Inc. ("GoTo Foods") is the indirect parent company to seven franchisors, including: Auntie Anne's Franchisor SPV LLC ("Auntie Anne's"), Carvel Franchisor SPV LLC ("Carvel"), Cinnabon Franchisor SPV LLC ("Cinnabon"), Jamba Juice Franchisor SPV LLC ("Jamba"), McAlister's Franchisor SPV LLC ("McAlister's"), Moe's Franchisor SPV LLC ("Moe's"), and Schlotzsky's Franchisor SPV LLC ("Schlotzsky's"). All seven GoTo Foods franchisors have a principal place of business at 5620 Glenridge Drive NE, Atlanta, GA 30342 and have not offered franchises in any other line of business.
Auntie Anne's franchises Auntie Anne's® shops that offer soft pretzels, lemonade, frozen drinks, and related foods and beverages. In November 2010, the Auntie Anne's system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Auntie Anne's predecessor began offering franchises in January 1991. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,182 franchised and 11 affiliate-owned Auntie Anne's shops in the United States and 815 franchised Auntie Anne's shops outside the United States.
Carvel franchises Carvel® ice cream shoppes and is a leading retailer of branded ice cream cakes in the United States and a producer of premium soft-serve ice cream. The Carvel system became an Affiliated Program in October 2001 and became affiliated with GoTo Foods in November 2004. Carvel's predecessor began franchising retail ice cream shoppes in 1947. As of December 31, 2024, there were 336 franchised Carvel shoppes in the United States and 39 franchised Carvel shoppes outside the United States.
Cinnabon franchises Cinnabon® bakeries that feature oven-hot cinnamon rolls, as well as other baked treats and specialty beverages. It also licenses independent third parties to operate domestic and international franchised Cinnabon® bakeries and Seattle's Best Coffee® franchises on military bases in the United States and in certain international countries, and to use the Cinnabon trademarks on products dissimilar to those offered in Cinnabon bakeries. In November 2004, the Cinnabon system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Cinnabon's predecessor began franchising in 1990. As of December 31, 2024, there were 1,002 franchised and 28 affiliate-owned Cinnabon bakeries in the United States, 1,040 franchised Cinnabon bakeries outside the United States, and 193 franchised Seattle's Best Coffee units outside the United States.
Jamba franchises Jamba® stores that feature a wide variety of fresh blended-to-order smoothies and other cold or hot beverages and offer fresh squeezed juices and portable food items to customers who come for snacks and light meals. Jamba has offered JAMBA® franchises since October 2018. In October 2018, Jamba became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Jamba's predecessor began franchising in 1991. As of December 31, 2024, there were 726 franchised Jamba stores and one affiliateowned Jamba store in the United States and 61 franchised Jamba stores outside the United States.
McAlister's franchises McAlister's Deli® restaurants that feature deli foods, including hot and cold deli sandwiches, baked potatoes, salads, soups, desserts, iced tea and other food and beverage products. The McAlister's system became an Affiliated Program through an acquisition in July 2005 and became affiliated with GoTo Foods in October 2013. McAlister's or its predecessor have been franchising since 1999. As of December 31, 2024, there were 524 franchised and 36 affiliate-owned McAlister's restaurants in the United States.
Moe's franchises Moe's Southwest Grill® fast casual restaurants which feature fresh-mex and southwestern food. In August 2007, the Moe's system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Moe's predecessor began offering Moe's Southwest Grill franchises in 2001. As of December 31, 2024, there were 591 franchised and five affiliate-owned Moe's Southwest Grill restaurants in the United States.
Schlotzsky's franchises Schlotzsky's® quick-casual restaurants that feature sandwiches, pizza, soups, and salads. Schlotzsky's signature items are its "fresh-from-scratch" sandwich buns and pizza crusts that are baked on-site every day. In November 2006, the Schlotzsky's system became affiliated with GoTo Foods through an acquisition. Schlotzsky's restaurant franchises have been offered since 1976. As of December 31, 2024, there were 280 franchised and 28 affiliate-owned Schlotzsky's restaurants in the United States.
Inspire Brands, Inc. ("Inspire Brands") is a global multi-brand restaurant company, launched in February 2018 upon completion of the merger of the Arby's and Buffalo Wild Wings brands. Inspire Brands is a parent company to six franchisors offering and selling franchises in the United States, including: Arby's Franchisor, LLC ("Arby's"), Baskin-Robbins Franchising LLC ("Baskin-Robbins"), Buffalo Wild Wings International, Inc.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, GoTo Foods Inc. does not operate any Hardees Restaurants franchises. GoTo Foods Inc. is the indirect parent company to several franchisors including Auntie Anne's, Carvel, Cinnabon, Jamba Juice, McAlister's, Moe's, and Schlotzsky's. These affiliated programs are controlled through private equity funds managed by Roark Capital Management, LLC.
As of December 31, 2024, the FDD lists the number of franchised and affiliate-owned locations for each of the GoTo Foods' brands. For example, Auntie Anne's had 1,182 franchised and 11 affiliate-owned shops in the United States, and 815 franchised shops outside the United States. Cinnabon had 1,002 franchised and 28 affiliate-owned bakeries in the United States, and 1,040 franchised bakeries outside the United States, along with 193 franchised Seattle's Best Coffee units outside the United States. McAlister's had 524 franchised and 36 affiliate-owned restaurants in the United States. Moe's had 591 franchised and five affiliate-owned restaurants in the United States. Schlotzsky's had 280 franchised and 28 affiliate-owned restaurants in the United States. Jamba had 726 franchised stores and one affiliate-owned store in the United States and 61 franchised Jamba stores outside the United States. Carvel had 336 franchised shoppes in the United States and 39 franchised Carvel shoppes outside the United States.
This information is relevant to a prospective Hardees franchisee because it clarifies the relationship between Hardees and other franchise systems under common ownership. While GoTo Foods does not directly operate Hardees franchises, its affiliation with other brands could provide potential synergies or shared resources. However, it's important to note that each franchise operates independently, and the success of a Hardees franchise will depend on factors such as location, management, and local market conditions.