Hardee’s Franchise FDD, Profits & Costs (2025)
Hardee’s, founded by Wilber Hardee on September 3, 1960, in Greenville, North Carolina, quickly became a popular name in the quick-service restaurant industry.
The first location was a small walk-up with a simple menu featuring 15-cent hamburgers and 20-cent milkshakes. By the late 1960s, Hardee’s had expanded to nearly 200 locations, including its first international restaurant in West Germany.
Franchising started in 1962, just two years after its founding, fueling its rapid growth. After being acquired by CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. in 1997, Hardee’s moved its headquarters to Franklin, Tennessee.
Today, Hardee’s operates over 1,800 restaurants worldwide.
The brand is known for its Made from Scratch™ Biscuits, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™, and 100% Angus Beef Thickburgers, setting it apart in a competitive market with a focus on quality and innovation.
Initial Investment
How much does it cost to start a Hardee’s franchise? It costs on average between $1,303,000 – $3,436,000 to start a Hardee’s franchised restaurant.
This includes costs for construction, equipment, inventory, and initial operating expenses. The exact amount depends on various factors, including the type of restaurant you choose, the location, and whether the franchisee chooses to lease or purchase the property.
| Type of Expenditure | Amount |
|---|---|
| Initial Franchise Fee | $25,000 |
| Opening Training Support Team Fee | $30,000-$70,000 |
| Total Fees to HR | $55,000 – $95,000 |
| Real Property | Variable |
| Building | $500,000–$1,200,000 |
| Site Improvements | $100,000-$850,000 |
| Soft Costs | $50,000-$150,000 |
| Equipment | $300,000-$500,000 |
| Signage | $75,000-$150,000 |
| Point of Sale System | $45,000-$65,000 |
| Total Build-Out Costs | $1,070,000-$2,915,000 |
| Initial Training | $20,000-$60,000 |
| Pre-Opening Costs | $8,000-$23,000 |
| Additional Funds – 3 months | $160,000-$250,000 |
| Total Preliminary Operating Expenses | $188,000-$333,000 |
| TOTAL ESTIMATED INITIAL INVESTMENT | $1,303,000-$3,436,000 |
Average Revenue (AUV)
How much revenue can you make with a Hardee’s franchise? A Hardee’s franchised restaurant makes on average $1,192,000 in revenue (AUV) per year.
Here is the extract from the Franchise Disclosure Document:
This compares to $1,528,000 yearly revenue for similar burger franchises. Below are 10 Hardee’s competitors as a comparison:
Download the Franchise Disclosure Document
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Hardee’s locations are there?
As of the latest data, Hardee’s operates a total of 1,712 restaurants. Out of these, around 1,536 are franchised locations, while approximately 198 are company-owned.
This distribution reflects Hardee’s widespread presence primarily in the Southeastern and Midwestern United States, with a significant portion of its restaurants being franchise-operated.
What is the total investment required to open a Hardee’s franchise?
The total investment required to open a Hardee’s franchise ranges from $1,303,000 to $3,436,000.
What are the ongoing fees for a Hardee’s franchise?
Franchisees are required to pay a royalty fee of 4% of their gross sales. This fee covers the ongoing support and use of the Hardee’s brand, systems, and operational guidance. Additionally, franchisees contribute 5.5% of their gross sales toward marketing fees.
This includes both national and local marketing contributions, which fund advertising campaigns, promotions, and other initiatives aimed at building brand awareness and driving traffic to all franchise locations.
What are the financial requirements to become a Hardee’s franchisee?
To become a Hardee’s franchisee, you need a minimum net worth of $1 million and at least $300,000 in liquid capital. These financial requirements ensure that franchisees have the necessary funds to cover startup and operational costs effectively.
How much can a Hardee’s franchise owner expect to earn?
The average gross sales for a Hardee’s franchise are approximately $1.19 million per location. Assuming a 15% operating profit margin, $1.19 million yearly revenue can result in $178,500 EBITDA annually.
Who owns Hardee’s?
Hardee’s is owned by CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. CKE, headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee, is also the parent company of Carl’s Jr.
Together, these brands operate under CKE’s umbrella, which oversees their franchise and company-owned operations across the U.S. and internationally.
Disclaimer
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