What training programs must the Development Principal for a Hardees franchise successfully complete?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
The Development Principal must own at least a 10% equity ownership interest in you, or in your general partner if you are a limited partnership, unless modified by us in our sole discretion. (This requirement does not apply if you were a publicly-held entity or a wholly-owned subsidiary of a publiclyheld entity as of the date of the first franchise-related agreement between you and us.) The Development Principal must be a member of the Continuity Group and have full control over the day-to-day development of the Franchised Restaurants. Unless you have named, and we have approved, a Multi-Unit Development Manager (discussed below), the Development Principal must: (1) devote full time and best efforts to the supervising development of the Franchised Restaurants; and (2) maintain his/her primary residence within a reasonable driving distance of the Development Territory, unless waived in writing by us. The Development Principal will be required to successfully complete our development training and any additional training required by us. If you are developing restaurants in multiple markets that are franchised
Source: Item 15 — Obligation to Participate in the Actual Operation of the Franchise Business (FDD pages 62–63)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, a Development Principal is required to successfully complete development training and any additional training that Hardees requires. The Development Principal must own at least 10% equity ownership interest in the franchisee or the general partner if the franchisee is a limited partnership, unless Hardees modifies this requirement at its discretion. This equity requirement does not apply to publicly-held entities or their wholly-owned subsidiaries as of the date of the first franchise-related agreement. The Development Principal must also be part of the Continuity Group and have full control over the day-to-day development of the franchised restaurants.
Unless a Multi-Unit Development Manager has been named and approved by Hardees, the Development Principal must devote their full time and best efforts to supervising the development of the franchised restaurants. They must also maintain their primary residence within a reasonable driving distance of the Development Territory, unless Hardees waives this requirement in writing. If the franchisee is developing restaurants in multiple markets franchised by Hardees or its affiliates, an individual meeting these qualifications will serve as the Development Principal in at least one market.
If the Development Principal fails to meet Hardees' requirements in multiple geographic markets, the franchisee must designate and retain a Multi-Unit Development Manager. This manager will be under the supervision of the Development Principal and must devote full time and best efforts to supervising the development of the franchised restaurants. The Multi-Unit Development Manager must also successfully complete Hardees' development training, the FMTP (Franchise Management Training Program), and any additional training required by Hardees, and be approved by Hardees. The Multi-Unit Development Manager must also live within a reasonable driving distance of the Development Territory, unless waived in writing by Hardees.