Is Hardees required to provide the same level of opening training support to all new franchisees?
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' 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the level of opening training support provided to new franchisees is not uniform and is determined at Hardees' sole discretion. Hardees provides opening assistance support from their All-Star Team (the "Opening Training Support Team") in connection with the opening of a franchisee's first restaurant, or first two restaurants if the franchisee is a multi-restaurant developer. Franchisees are required to reimburse Hardees for the salaries, administrative fees, meals, travel, and lodging expenses of the Opening Training Support Team members while they are training at the franchisee's restaurant. These expenses, collectively known as the "Opening Training Support Fee," are estimated to range from $32,000 to $70,000, and are to be paid within the month following the restaurant's opening.
Hardees retains the right to determine the level of opening training support required for each franchised restaurant. This means that some franchisees may receive more extensive support than others, depending on Hardees' assessment of their needs. Hardees also reserves the right to modify the level of assistance provided by the Opening Training Support Team, indicating that the support can change over time.
This discretionary approach to training support could have significant implications for franchisees. Those who are perceived to need less support may face lower initial costs, while those deemed to need more support could face higher costs ranging up to $70,000. Franchisees should inquire about the criteria Hardees uses to determine the level of support and how they can potentially influence that determination to ensure they receive adequate training for a successful launch.