Carl’s Jr. Franchises Make $1.4M (+ 2023 Costs & Profits)
With over 700 franchise-owned restaurants in the US alone, Carl’s Jr. is one of the most popular fast food franchises in the US, and for good reasons. Yet, opening a Carl’s Jr. franchise is not for everyone unfortunately.
Indeed, you would need to invest on average $1,860,000 to open a new Carl’s Jr. store, which is definitely on the higher end for similar restaurant franchises. Are the profits worth the cost?
That’s something we are looking into in this article. Using the information in the latest Franchise Disclosure Document, we will see how much you can make with this business and how profitable a Carl’s Jr. franchise really is. Finally, we’ll see whether this is a good investment or not. Let’s find out!
Key stats
Franchise fee | $25,000 |
Royalty fee | 4.0% |
Marketing fee | 6.0% |
Investment (mid-point) | $1,860,000 |
Average sales | $1,420,000 |
Sales to investment ratio | 0.8x |
Payback period* | 9 years |
Minimum net worth | $1,000,000 |
Minimum liquid capital | $500,000 |
What is Carl’s Jr.?
Carl’s Jr. is an American fast-food restaurant chain best known for its iconic charbroiled burgers. It has locations in North and South America, Asia, Oceania, Europe, and Africa.
The chain store was founded in 1941 by Carl Karcher and his wife Margaret in Los Angeles, California.
It serves hamburgers, chicken, French fries, sandwiches, desserts, salads, nachos, milkshakes, burritos, coffee, and breakfast wraps.
Its franchising journey began in 1984 and is franchised by the parent company, CKE Restaurant Holding Inc. Currently, Carl’s Jr. has more than 1,672 units in the US and 28 countries worldwide.
Carl’s Jr. franchises: pros and cons
When starting a Carl’s Jr. franchise, first find out its advantages and disadvantages.
Pros
- Recognized brand: Carl’s Jr. is not a new name for burger enthusiasts. It is a brand known for its signature menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner products. It is a fast-growing franchise and enjoys an international presence. New franchisees can enjoy a huge flow of customers, and the franchise offers a great opportunity for growth and profitability.
- World-class support: To help new franchisees establish and run their restaurants successfully, Carl’s Jr. offers substantial training and support. The franchisor offers site selection, restaurant design, equipment ordering, and construction. They also offer franchise business consultations, operations, equipment, procedure optimization, marketing, and advertising support. All this is meant to give franchisees training and business ideas to succeed.
- Proven business model: The brand has been in business for over 80 years. They have penetrated new markets, including international ones, and continued to wow their customers with quality, made-to-taste foods. Their business strategy has been successful, and they can pass on to new franchisees a strong business culture that is known to work and has propelled them to success and profitability.
- Marketing support: Another benefit of operating a Carl’s Jr. franchise is its solid marketing support. Carl’s Jr. offers new franchisees assistance with their strategic advertising and local store marketing.
- Growth potential: if you’re an investor looking for a business with a lot of growth potential, then Carl’s Jr. is a good opportunity. It has stores in both the United States and around the world and is still rapidly expanding. With plans to expand in existing and new markets, new franchisees will find it easy to market and grow their businesses with less effort and advertising costs.
Cons
- No franchise financing: The franchise does not offer any direct or indirect financing to its franchisees. It also does not guarantee any lease, grant, or note concerning its franchisees’ financing.
- No exclusive territory protection: Carl’s Jr. does not offer exclusive territory protection to its franchisees. The franchisor may grant franchises to other restaurants in the location occupied by its franchisees. Franchisees also face competition from businesses operated and controlled by the parent company.
- No absentee ownership: Carl’s Jr. is not a perfect match for those looking for a passive investment. It requires owners to actively work in the restaurant business and be involved in its day-to-day operations.
How much does a Carl’s Jr. franchise cost?
You must invest around $1,860,000 to open a Carl’s Jr. franchised restaurant.
The investment amount can vary depending on your situation, as it is an average. The investment amount ranges between $1,389,000 and $2,331,000.
As for the investment, what are you paying for, you may ask? Well you are paying for a number of startup expenses. To be precise, you would pay:
- Fees to Carl’s Jr.: the initial franchise fee and the “Opening Training Support Team Fee” that essentially are training expenses for you and your team
- Build-Out Costs: building, site improvements, soft costs, equipment, signage, point of sale system
- Preliminary Operating Expenses: initial training, pre-opening costs, additional funds for 3 months as working capital
Low | High | |
---|---|---|
Fees to Carl’s Jr. | $55,000 | $75,000 |
Build-out costs | $1,146,670 | $1,923,000 |
Preliminary operating expenses | $188,000 | $333,000 |
Total investment | $1,389,670 | $2,331,000 |
How much sales can a Carl’s Jr. franchise make?
On average, a Carl’s Jr. franchise makes $1,419,516 in sales per year (+10% revenue growth vs. 2021)
This sales number is the median annual gross sales of the 723 franchised restaurants operating in 2022.
The FDD also provides the median revenue of the 723 franchise-owned restaurants by quartile, as shown below. Whilst the top quartile had median sales of $2,223,000 million, the lowest 25% (181 restaurants) had median sales of $944,000 instead.
How profitable is a Carl’s Jr. franchise?
Carl’s Jr. franchise makes $396,045 in profits per year on average. That means you may expect a 28% adjusted EBITDA margin.
This margin does not indicate net profit, thus you may need to deduct taxes, debt interest expenses, and other costs from this amount.
The 28% adjusted EBITDA margin is on the higher end compared to similar franchises as per our intelligence (~25-27% industry average).
Note that to calculate this number we had to use the industry average for rent (8% of sales).
Also, as Carl’s Jr. doesn’t provide financial information on the costs of franchised restaurants, we used company-owned restaurants’ data for COGS (25.1%) and labor costs (29.0%) instead.
Profit-and-loss | Amount ($) | As % of sales |
---|---|---|
Sales | $1,419,516 | |
COGS | $(356,299) | 25.1% |
Labor | $(411,660) | 29.0% |
Rent | $(113,561) | 8.0%* |
Royalty + marketing fees | $(141,952) | 10.0% |
Adjusted EBITDA | $396,045 | ~28% |
Is a Carl’s Jr. franchise a good investment?
Carl’s Jr. franchises are profitable as we just saw. But are they worth the high price tag of $1,860,000?
To find out, we need to calculate the payback period: the time it takes for a franchisee to recoup her/his original investment, using net profits. Unfortunately net profits aren’t provided in the FDD, as it’s mostly the case.
If we were to assume a net profit margin of 15%, it would take on average 8.7 years for you to reimburse your initial investment (the $1,860,000). That’s not a great number unfortunately, so from a financial standpoint, Carl’s Jr. doesn’t seem like the best investment.
Yet, keep in mind this is an estimate, and also an average of the 723 franchise-owned restaurants. Your restaurant may be more profitable and successful. To visualize your franchise’s profits, breakeven, payback period and more, download our business plan template below.
How does it compare vs. other franchises?
Franchise | Investment ($) | Sales ($) | Payback (years) | Min. net worth ($) | Min. liquid capital ($) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Chick-Fil-A | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/chick-fil-a-franchise-costs-profits/ | Chicken | 1,363,510 | 4,227,417 | 3.1 | 2.2 | - | - |
Dunkin' Donuts | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/dunkin-donuts-franchise-costs-profits/ | Donuts | 779,000 | 1,056,521 | 1.4 | 4.9 | 500,000 | 250,000 |
Domino's | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/dominos-franchise-profits-costs/ | Pizza | 398,725 | 1,286,428 | 3.2 | 3.9 | 250,000 | 75,000 |
Krispy Kreme | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/krispy-kreme-franchise-costs-profits/ | Donuts | 824,000 | 3,400,000 | 4.1 | 1.6 | 2,000,000 | 300,000 |
Little Caesars | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/little-caesars-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pizza | 1,022,850 | 798,113 | 0.8 | 8.5 | 350,000 | 150,000 |
Wingstop | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/wingstop-franchise-costs-profits/ | Chicken | 631,695 | 1,460,459 | 2.3 | 2.9 | 1,200,000 | 600,000 |
Steak 'n Shake | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/steak-n-shake-franchise-costs-profits/ | Burger, Milshakes | 815,626 | 1,346,332 | 1.7 | 4.0 | 1,500,000 | 500,000 |
Crumbl Cookies | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/crumbl-cookie-franchise-cost-profits/ | Sweets | 507,224 | 1,582,090 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 300,000 | 150,000 |
Taco Bell | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/taco-bell-franchise-costs-profits/ | Mexican | 462,413 | 1,650,000 | 3.6 | 1.9 | 1,500,000 | 750,000 |
Popeyes | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/popeyes-franchise-costs-profits/ | Chicken | 1,095,783 | 1,444,617 | 1.3 | 5.1 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
Smoothie King | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/smoothie-king-franchise-costs-profits/ | Smoothie | 688,108 | 573,269 | 0.8 | 8.0 | 300,000 | 100,000 |
Jersey Mike's | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/jersey-mikes-franchise-costs-profits/ | Sandwich | 574,323 | 1,220,586 | 2.1 | 4.7 | 300,000 | 100,000 |
Nothing Bundt Cakes | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/nothing-bundt-cakes-franchise-costs-profits/ | Sweets | 538,650 | 1,307,280 | 2.4 | 2.7 | 600,000 | 150,000 |
Jimmy John's | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/jimmy-johns-franchise-costs-profits/ | Sandwich | 513,650 | 874,845 | 1.7 | 3.9 | 300,000 | 80,000 |
Texas Roadhouse | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/texas-roadhouse-franchise-costs-profits/ | Steakhouse | 4,209,500 | 2,955,534 | 0.7 | 9.5 | n.a. | 200,000 |
Kung Fu Tea | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/kung-fu-tea-franchise-costs-profits/ | Bubble tea | 250,125 | 353,237 | 1.4 | 4.7 | n.a. | 25,000 |
Wendy’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/wendys-franchise-cost-profits/ | Burger | 1,374,833 | 1,791,231 | 1.3 | 5.1 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
Burger King | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/burger-king-franchise-costs-profits/ | Burger | 1,242,950 | 1,215,970 | 1.0 | 6.8 | 1,500,000 | 500,000 |
Sonic Drive-In | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/sonic-drive-in-franchise-costs-profits/ | Burger | 1,467,083 | 1,617,000 | 1.1 | 6.0 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
Panera Bread | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/panera-bread-franchise-costs-profits/ | Sandwich | 2,290,500 | 2,599,432 | 1.1 | 5.9 | 7,500,000 | 3,000,000 |
Pizza Hut | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/pizza-hut-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pizza | 935,575 | 906,911 | 1.0 | 6.9 | 700,000 | 350,000 |
KFC | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/kfc-franchise-costs-profits/ | Chicken | 1,802,050 | 1,567,474 | 0.9 | 7.7 | 1,500,000 | 750,000 |
Arby’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/arbys-franchise-costs-profits/ | Sandwich | 1,184,975 | 1,126,263 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
Dairy Queen | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/dairy-queen-franchise-costs-profits/ | Ice Cream | 1,404,220 | 1,143,180 | 0.8 | 8.2 | 750,000 | 400,000 |
Jack in the Box | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/jack-in-the-box-franchise-costs-profits/ | Burger | 2,195,800 | 1,755,503 | 0.8 | 12.5 | 1,000,000 | 250,000 |
Papa John’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/papa-johns-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pizza | 353,695 | 1,101,127 | 3.1 | 2.1 | 750,000 | 250,000 |
Zaxby’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/zaxbys-franchise-costs-profits/ | Chicken | 534,750 | 2,229,187 | 4.2 | 2.4 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
Hardee’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/hardees-franchise-costs-profits/ | Burger | 1,759,000 | 1,147,975 | 0.7 | 10.2 | 1,000,000 | 300,000 |
Culver’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/culvers-franchise-costs-profits/ | Burger | 4,044,500 | 3,051,762 | 0.8 | 8.8 | 2,000,000 | 350,000 |
Five Guys | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/five-guys-franchise-costs-profits/ | Burger | 511,225 | 1,203,366 | 2.4 | 2.8 | 500,000 | 250,000 |
Carl’s Jr. | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/carls-jr-franchise-costs-profits/ | Burger | 1,860,335 | 1,419,516 | 0.8 | 8.7 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
Baskin-Robbins | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/baskin-robbins-franchise-costs-profits/ | Ice Cream | 465,100 | 316,815 | 0.7 | 9.8 | 250,000 | 125,000 |
IHOP | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/ihop-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pancakes | 2,058,302 | 1,553,311 | 0.8 | 8.8 | 1,500,000 | 500,000 |
Applebee’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/applebees-franchise-costs-profits/ | Casual American | 5,137,966 | 2,356,965 | 0.5 | 14.5 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
Denny's | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/dennys-franchise-costs-profits/ | Casual American | 3,785,459 | 1,639,549 | 0.4 | 15.4 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
Papa Murphy's | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/papa-murphys-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pizza | 433,174 | 580,441 | 1.3 | 5.0 | 275,000 | 125,000 |
Auntie Anne's | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/auntie-annes-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pretzels | 229,692 | 343,135 | 1.5 | 5.6 | 300,000 | 100,000 |
Firehouse Subs | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/firehouse-subs-franchise-costs-profits/ | Sandwich | 613,186 | 888,356 | 1.4 | 4.6 | 350,000 | 100,000 |
Tropical Smoothie Cafe | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/tropical-smoothie-cafe-franchise-costs-profits/ | Smoothie | 430,500 | 961,969 | 2.2 | 3.0 | 350,000 | 125,000 |
Marco’s Pizza | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/marcos-pizza-franchises-costs-profits/ | Pizza | 437,625 | 895,523 | 2.0 | 3.3 | 400,000 | 100,000 |
Cinnabon | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/cinnabon-franchises-costs-profits/ | Sweets | 276,062 | 394,897 | 1.4 | 5.8 | 300,000 | 120,000 |
Cold Stone Creamery | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/cold-stone-creamery-franchise-costs-profits/ | Ice Cream | 310,956 | 417,588 | 1.3 | 5.0 | 250,000 | 100,000 |
Jamba | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/jamba-franchise-costs-profits/ | Smoothie | 414,562 | 597,028 | 1.4 | 7.7 | 300,000 | 100,000 |
Church’s Chicken | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/churchs-texas-chicken-fees-sales-costs/ | Chicken | 1,195,147 | 1,395,088 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 1,000,000 | 300,000 |
Moe’s Southwest Grill | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/moes-southwest-grill-franchises-costs-profits/ | Mexican | 792,370 | 1,013,361 | 1.3 | 5.2 | 1,000,000 | 100,000 |
Tim Hortons | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/tim-hortons-franchises-costs-profits/ | Coffee | 1,242,750 | 1,188,240 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 500,000 | 100,000 |
Checkers & Rally's | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/checkers-franchises-profits-sales-costs/ | Burger | 837,847 | 1,039,773 | 1.2 | 5.4 | 750,000 | 250,000 |
Charleys Philly Steaks | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/charleys-philly-steaks-costs-profits/ | Sandwich | 509,806 | 786,233 | 1.5 | 4.3 | 500,000 | 100,000 |
Buffalo Wild Wings | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/buffalo-wild-wings-costs-profits/ | Chicken | 3,546,900 | 2,534,148 | 0.7 | 9.3 | 1,500,000 | 750,000 |
Rita's Ice | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/ritas-ice-franchise-costs-profits/ | Ice Cream | 215,839 | 248,340 | 1.2 | 5.8 | 300,000 | 100,000 |
A&W Restaurants | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/aw-restaurants-franchises-costs-profits/ | Burger | 786,750 | 851,212 | 1.1 | 6.2 | 350,000 | 150,000 |
Hungry Howie’s Pizza | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/hungry-howies-pizza-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pizza | 419,682 | 806,899 | 1.9 | 3.5 | 750,000 | 200,000 |
Bojangles | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/bojangles-franchise-costs-profits/ | Chicken | 1,658,000 | 1,801,057 | 1.1 | 6.1 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
McAlister’s Deli | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/mcalister-deli-franchise-costs-profits/ | Sandwich | 1,424,963 | 1,865,861 | 1.3 | 5.1 | 1,000,000 | 500,000 |
Round Table Pizza | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/round-table-pizza-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pizza | 783,250 | 1,037,816 | 1.3 | 5.0 | 500,000 | 200,000 |
Qdoba Mexican Eats | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/qdoba-mexican-eats-franchise-costs-profits/ | Mexican | 659,250 | 972,962 | 1.5 | 4.5 | ||
Freddy’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/freddys-franchise-costs-profits/ | Burger | 1,453,040 | 1,792,929 | 1.2 | 5.4 | 1,000,000 | 400,000 |
Taco John’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/taco-johns-franchise-costs-profits/ | Mexican | 1,119,000 | 1,124,980 | 1.0 | 6.6 | 1,000,000 | 400,000 |
Scooter’s Coffee | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/scooters-coffee-franchise-costs-profits/ | Coffee | 1,143,250 | 797,101 | 0.7 | 9.6 | 500,000 | 200,000 |
Einstein Bros. Bagels | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/einstein-bros-bagels-franchise-costs-profits/ | Sandwich | 750,075 | 885,011 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 1,000,000 | 536,500 |
Great American Cookies | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/great-american-cookies-franchise-costs-profits/ | Sweets | 385,275 | 452,771 | 1.2 | 5.7 | 250,000 | 100,000 |
Wienerschnitzel | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/wienerschnitzel-franchise-costs-profits/ | Hot dogs | 873,300 | 880,980 | 1.0 | 6.6 | 600,000 | 250,000 |
Blaze Pizza | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/blaze-pizza-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pizza | 865,450 | 1,096,432 | 1.3 | 7.9 | 500,000 | 300,000 |
Wetzel's Pretzels | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/wetzels-pretzels-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pretzels | 377,571 | 748,857 | 2.0 | 3.4 | 300,000 | 50,000 |
Pizza Ranch | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/pizza-ranch-franchise-costs-profits/ | Pizza | 3,268,300 | 1,174,088 | 0.4 | 18.6 | 1,000,000 | 297,000 |
Del Taco | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/del-taco-franchise-costs-profits/ | Mexican | 1,406,850 | 1,345,341 | 1.0 | 7.0 | 2,000,000 | 500,000 |
Schlotzsky’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/schlotzskys-franchises-costs-profits/ | Healthy, Salads | 1,102,933 | 1,053,333 | 0.3 | 22.2 | 1,000,000 | 300,000 |
Captain D’s | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/captain-ds-franchise-profits-costs/ | Seafood | 982,778 | 1,067,816 | 0.4 | 19.0 | 1,000,000 | 350,000 |
Biggby Coffee | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/biggby-coffee-franchise-profits-costs/ | Coffee | 310,575 | 648,352 | 0.3 | 20.0 | 300,000 | 100,000 |
Which Wich | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/which-wich-franchises-profits-costs/ | Sandwich | 330,375 | 281,886 | 0.3 | 22.2 | 500,000 | 150,000 |
Marble Slab Creamery | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/marble-slab-franchises-costs-profits/ | Ice Cream | 407,360 | 251,052 | 0.4 | 16.7 | 250,000 | 100,000 |
Mountain Mike's Pizza | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/mountain-mikes-franchise-profits-costs/ | Pizza | 410,900 | 865,713 | 0.3 | 20.0 | 300,000 | 100,000 |
Huddle House | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/huddle-house-franchise-cost-profits/ | Diner | 988,743 | 712,428 | 0.5 | 13.3 | 600,000 | 300,000 |
L&L Hawaiian Barbecue | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/ll-hawaiian-barbecue-franchises-costs-profits/ | BBQ | 334,350 | 612,921 | 0.3 | 33.3 | 500,000 | 150,000 |
Chicken Salad Chick | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/chicken-salad-chick-franchises-costs-profits/ | Healthy, Salads | 651,000 | 1,202,020 | 0.3 | 20.0 | 750,000 | 250,000 |
Golden Chick | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/golden-chick-franchises-costs-profits/ | Chicken | 362,975 | 917,609 | 2.5 | 2.6 | 2,000,000 | 425,000 |
Perkins | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/perkins-franchise-costs-profits/ | Diner | 1,922,728 | 1,729,246 | 0.9 | 7.4 | 1,500,000 | 500,000 |
Waba Grill | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/waba-grill-franchises-costs-profits/ | Teryaki | 454,000 | 466,536 | 1.0 | 6.5 | 1,000,000 | 250,000 |
Bruster’s Ice Cream | https://sharpsheets.io/blog/brusters-franchises-profits-costs/ | Ice Cream | 663,925 | 466,696 | 0.7 | 9.5 | 375,000 | 150,000 |
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