What is the latest date a Hardees Development Agreement can be dated to be eligible for the Travel Center Program?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
To be eligible for the Travel Center Program, the following requirements must be satisfied: (i) the Hardee's Restaurant must be located at a travel center location or gas and convenience location that is 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, (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 Travel Center Program.
Source: Item 22 — Contracts (FDD page 85)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, to be eligible for the Travel Center Program, the Development Agreement must be dated no later than May 24, 2026. This program is designed to encourage the development of new Hardees restaurants at travel centers and gas and convenience locations.
For a Hardees franchisee to qualify, the restaurant location must be within ½ mile of an interstate or limited access highway and include a high rise pylon sign, billboard, or other highway sign. The Development Agreement must include the development of at least three newly-constructed Hardee's Restaurants if the franchisee is opening between 3 and 9 restaurants, or at least ten newly-constructed Hardee's Restaurants if opening 10 or more restaurants. The franchisee must also open the restaurants by the dates outlined in the Development Agreement.
Additionally, the franchisee must not be in default of any existing agreements with Hardees or its affiliates and must be approved for growth by Hardees. They must also meet Hardees's current financial and operational requirements for new restaurant development and otherwise meet the requirements of the Travel Center Program. This ensures that only qualified and capable franchisees participate in the incentive program.