What is the purpose of the Preliminary Agreement that Hardees may require?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
If you are not currently a franchisee, HR also may require you to sign a Preliminary Agreement (the current form is attached as Exhibit E) under which you must agree to keep confidential the information provided by HR to you during Discovery Day. During Discovery Day, you must attend a 2-day meeting at HR's offices and at a Hardee's Restaurant during which you will meet with, and be evaluated by, various HR personnel. In addition, we may require that your 10% Owners (as defined in Item 15) complete, as we deem necessary and to our satisfaction, an operations overview, which lasts approximately 10 business days ("10-Day Operations Overview").
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, if you are not already a franchisee, Hardees may require you to sign a Preliminary Agreement. The purpose of this agreement is to ensure you keep confidential the information Hardees provides to you during Discovery Day.
Discovery Day involves a two-day meeting at Hardees' offices and a Hardees restaurant. During this time, you will meet with and be evaluated by various Hardees personnel. This evaluation process is a critical step in determining whether Hardees will approve you as a franchisee.
In addition to the Preliminary Agreement and Discovery Day, Hardees may also require your 10% owners to complete an operations overview. This overview lasts approximately 10 business days and must be completed to Hardees' satisfaction. This comprehensive evaluation process ensures that potential franchisees and their key personnel are thoroughly vetted before being granted the rights to open a Hardees restaurant.