Who is responsible for the cost of removing proprietary marks and trade fixtures from the premises upon expiration or termination of the Hardees lease?

According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the tenant is responsible for the costs associated with removing proprietary marks and trade fixtures upon the expiration or termination of the lease. Specifically, the landlord consents to permit the tenant to remove these items at the tenant's expense. However, the tenant is also responsible for making any necessary repairs to the premises caused by such removal.

This means that when a Hardees franchise lease ends, the franchisee (tenant) must pay for the removal of all Hardees-specific signs, designs, trademarks, and other trade fixtures from the property. This includes not only the cost of physically taking down and removing these items but also the expense of repairing any damage caused to the building during the removal process.

This provision ensures that the property is returned to a neutral state, free of Hardees branding, so it can be used by another tenant without infringing on Hardees's trademarks. It also protects the landlord by requiring the tenant to cover the costs of any necessary repairs resulting from the removal of these fixtures. A prospective Hardees franchisee should factor these potential costs into their financial planning, as they can represent a significant expense at the end of the lease term.