For a new Hardees franchisee, what expenses are included in the Opening Training Support Fee?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
ay a nonrefundable fee of up to $500 per person for this training program. You must pay all travel, living and other expenses incurred by your personnel while attending the 10-Day Operations Overview.
All-Star Team Opening Training Support
You will receive opening assistance support from our All-Star Team (the "Opening Training Support Team") in connection with the opening of your first Franchised Restaurant (or your first two Franchised Restaurants if you are multi-restaurant developer). You must reimburse us for the salaries, administrative fees, meals, travel and lodging expenses of the Opening Training Support Team members while they are trainers at your Franchised Restaurant, which amounts you will be required to pay to us within the month following completion of the opening of the Franchised Restaurant (collectively such amounts, the "Opening Training Support Fee"). We estimate that the Opening Training Support Fees will range between $32,000 to $70,000. We
Source: Item 5 — Initial Fees (FDD pages 27–29)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, new franchisees will receive opening assistance from the All-Star Team when opening their first restaurant. If the franchisee is a multi-restaurant developer, this support extends to the first two restaurants. The franchisee is responsible for reimbursing Hardees for the expenses of the Opening Training Support Team. These expenses constitute the Opening Training Support Fee.
The Opening Training Support Fee includes the salaries, administrative fees, meals, travel, and lodging expenses for the Opening Training Support Team members while they are training at the franchisee's Hardees restaurant. The FDD estimates that these fees will range from $32,000 to $70,000. The franchisee is required to pay this fee to Hardees within the month following the completion of the restaurant opening.
Hardees retains the sole discretion to determine the level of opening training support required for each franchised restaurant and can modify the level of assistance provided by the Opening Training Support Team. This means the final cost could vary based on Hardees' assessment of the franchisee's needs and the complexity of the restaurant opening.