Are the terms and conditions for operating a Hardees restaurant at a traditional location the same as those for a Travel Center or Gas and Convenience Location?
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 operating a Hardees restaurant at a traditional location are different from those for a Travel Center or Gas and Convenience Location. Hardees offers franchises to operate restaurants at traditional locations and nontraditional locations under separate disclosure documents, with different terms and conditions. Nontraditional locations include 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.
This means that prospective Hardees franchisees need to carefully review the specific Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that applies to their desired location type. The FDD for traditional locations will outline the obligations, fees, and support structure relevant to those sites, while the FDD for Travel Center and Gas and Convenience Locations will detail the specific terms for those venues. Understanding these differences is crucial for making an informed investment decision.
For example, the 2025 HR Travel Center Development Incentive Program is available for franchisees who sign a Development Agreement or Franchise Agreement for one or more Hardee's Restaurant(s) to be located at a Travel Center Location or Gas and Convenience Location. To be eligible for the 2025 HR Travel Center Development Incentive Program, the Travel Center Location or Gas and Convenience Location must be located within ½ mile of an interstate or limited access highway and must include a combination of high rise pylon sign, billboard or other highway sign. The Travel Center Location or Gas and Convenience Location must be opened pursuant to a Development Agreement dated no later than May 24, 2026, that includes the development of at least three newly-constructed Hardee's Restaurant(s).