Under what condition will Hardees waive the $15,000 Initial Franchise Fee?
Hardees Franchise · 2025 FDDAnswer from 2025 FDD Document
materials, and the geographic area in which the Franchised Restaurant will be located.
Costs paid to HR are not refundable. Whether any costs paid to third parties are refundable will vary based on the practice in the area where your Franchised Restaurant is located.
- (3) For your first 2 Franchised Restaurants, you are required to have an All-Star Team, a certified training team, participate in the pre-opening and post-opening of the Franchised Restaurants. You will be responsible to pay us the Opening Training Support Fee, which will reimburse us for the All-Star Team's trainers' salaries, administrative fees, travel, lodging and meal expenses for the time they teach and train at your Franchised Restaurants, which is usually four days before opening and a minimu
Source: Item 7 — Estimated Initial Investment (FDD pages 36–39)
What This Means (2025 FDD)
According to Hardees's 2025 Franchise Disclosure Document, Hardees will waive the $15,000 Initial Franchise Fee under a specific condition related to the opening date of the franchised restaurant. Specifically, this waiver applies if the Hardees restaurant opens six months prior to the contractual opening date as defined in the Development Agreement.
This condition incentivizes franchisees to expedite the opening process. By opening significantly ahead of schedule, franchisees can avoid paying the initial franchise fee, reducing their initial investment. This waiver could be particularly beneficial for franchisees looking to manage their startup costs effectively.
However, it's important for prospective Hardees franchisees to carefully review the Development Agreement to understand the contractual opening date and any associated requirements. Franchisees should also confirm with Hardees the specific procedures for verifying the early opening and ensuring the waiver is properly applied. Meeting the early opening deadline is crucial to qualify for the waiver, so franchisees should plan their development timeline accordingly.