Are the terms and conditions for Hardees franchises at traditional locations the same as those for Travel Center or Gas and Convenience Locations?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
In addition to offering franchises for the operation of Hardee's Restaurants from Travel Center Locations and Gas and Convenience Locations, HR offers franchises to operate Hardee's Restaurants at traditional locations and nontraditional locations under one or more separate disclosure documents. That offer will be on terms and conditions different from those described in this disclosure document. Nontraditional locations include, but are not limited to, airports, train stations, bus stations, stadiums, arenas, convention centers, military facilities, schools, colleges, universities, hospitals, recreational theme parks, business or industrial foodservice venues, venues in which foodservice is or may be provided by a master concessionaire or contract foodservice provider, Indian reservations, casinos, "ghost" or "dark" kitchens or any similar captive market or non-traditional "brick and mortar" location.
Source: Item 1 — The Franchisor and any Parents, Predecessors, and Affiliates (FDD pages 9–22)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, the terms and conditions for franchises at traditional locations are different from those for Travel Center or Gas and Convenience Locations. Hardees offers franchises for operation at Travel Center and Gas and Convenience Locations under the terms described in this particular FDD. However, it offers franchises to operate Hardee's Restaurants at traditional and nontraditional locations under separate disclosure documents, which will have different terms and conditions. Nontraditional locations include airports, train stations, and other similar venues.
This means that prospective franchisees need to carefully review the specific FDD that applies to their desired location type. The obligations, fees, and support provided by Hardees may vary significantly depending on whether the franchise is for a traditional restaurant, a travel center location, or a gas and convenience location. Franchisees should not assume that the terms are uniform across all types of Hardees locations.
For those interested in Travel Center or Gas and Convenience Locations, Hardees offers development incentive programs. Franchisees who sign a Development Agreement or Franchise Agreement for these locations may qualify for the 2025 HR Travel Center Development Incentive Program or the 2025 Development Incentive Program. These programs can provide benefits such as reduced initial franchise fees and lower royalty and APO fees for a specified period. However, eligibility for these programs is subject to certain requirements, including location criteria, development timelines, and the franchisee's compliance with existing agreements.