Hardee’s Franchise FDD, Costs & Fees (2025)

Hardee's is a fast-food restaurant franchise known for its charbroiled burgers, breakfast items, and signature biscuits, providing a quick and flavorful dining experience with classic American favorites.

Hardee's, a prominent name in the quick service restaurant (QSR) sector, boasts a storied history that began in 1960. The franchise launched in Franklin, Tennessee, where its headquarters remain to this day.

Demonstrating an aggressive growth strategy, Hardee's started franchising just a year after its first restaurant opened in 1961, laying the groundwork for its extensive reach.

In the competitive fast-food arena, Hardee's stands out with its specialized offerings such as charbroiled 100% Black Angus Thickburger sandwiches, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders, and Made from Scratch Biscuits, along with other quick-serve items. This emphasis on quality and unique menu items has enabled Hardee's to establish a distinctive presence in the market.

This well-structured franchising model, along with Hardee's unique menu and robust operational support, makes the brand an appealing choice for entrepreneurs aiming to enter the fast-food industry.

Initial investment

Here's what you would need to invest if you were to start this franchise. These costs are provided by the franchisor in the Franchise Disclosure Document.

Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $25,000
Opening Training Support Team Fee $30,000-$70,000
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
Initial Training $20,000 - $60,000
Pre-Opening Costs $8,000-$23,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $160,000–$250,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $1,303,000-$3,436,000
Type of Expenditure Amount
Initial Franchise Fee $25,000
Opening Training Support Team Fee $30,000-$70,000
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
Initial Training $20,000 - $60,000
Pre-Opening Costs $8,000-$23,000
Additional Funds - 3 months $160,000–$250,000
Total Estimated Initial Investment $1,303,000-$3,436,000

Franchise Disclosure Document

Number of units

Training 

The Franchise Management Training Program (FMTP) is a vital component of franchisee training at Hardee's Restaurants.

This comprehensive program includes both classroom instruction and practical training at designated Hardee's training centers or restaurants. Attendance and successful completion of all FMTP elements are mandatory for the franchisee, the General Manager, and at least six Shift Leaders.

The program typically spans a minimum of eight consecutive weeks, though the duration may vary based on the trainee's prior experience. Franchisees are responsible for covering all related expenses, including travel, accommodation, and other incidental costs.

Furthermore, if a franchisee manages three or more franchised locations, Hardee's may require the setup of a Certified Franchisee Training Restaurant and the certification of one or more General Managers as Certified Franchisee Management Trainers.

These certified trainers are authorized to deliver the FMTP to new trainees at the certified training restaurant, ensuring adherence to Hardee's system standards for training.

Territory Protection

Under the Development Agreement, franchisees will not be granted an exclusive territory. They might encounter competition from other franchisees, company-owned outlets, or other distribution channels or competitive brands controlled by the company.

When franchisees sign a Development Agreement, they will be assigned a Development Territory, mutually agreed upon by Hardee's Restaurants (HR) and the franchisee. This consideration will be based on the area's population density and the number of franchised restaurants they commit to developing.

A detailed description of the Development Territory will be included as an appendix to the Development Agreement. The boundaries of the Development Territory may be defined by specific streets, county lines, state lines, municipal boundaries, railroad tracks, or other similar geographic markers.

Competitors

Below are some of

Hardee’s

key competitors in the

Burger

sector.

Franchise
Franchisees
Initial fee
Total investment
Revenue
Upgrade
Gross Profit
Upgrade
EBITDA
Upgrade

1533

New
+
-3%
-3%

$25,000

$1,303,000

$3,436,000

n.a.

$1,192,000

$xxx,xxx

72.5%

xx%

n.a.

13.0%

xx%

n.a.

Competitors

Built Custom Burgers

Built Custom Burgers provides fast-casual, build-your-own burger meals featuring premium ingredients and a streamlined assembly-line format, allowing customers to customize burgers, fries, and shakes for a fresh and satisfying dining experience.

Franchisees

?

3
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$409,000 - $1,297,000

Burger Village

Burger Village is an organic burger franchise offering grass-fed beef, bison, and vegan burger options with a focus on sustainability.

Franchisees

?

2
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$484,000 - $802,000

Smalls Sliders

Smalls Sliders specializes in mini cheeseburgers made with fresh ingredients and served quickly, offering a simple yet flavorful menu in a fast-casual setting.

Franchisees

?

19
+
375%
375%
Investment

?

$1,298,000 - $1,994,000

JL Beers

JL Beers is a craft beer and burger franchise offering a casual dining experience. Franchisees benefit from a simple operating model, comprehensive training, and support in marketing and business operations.

Franchisees

?

3
+
0%
0%
Investment

?

$1,223,000 - $3,308,000

Jollibee

Jollibee is a global fast-food chain known for its unique Filipino-inspired menu, offering popular items like Chickenjoy fried chicken, sweet spaghetti, and other comfort food favorites.

Franchisees

?

2
+
100%
100%
Investment

?

$1,635,000 - $4,888,000

Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay

Bobby's Burgers by Bobby Flay serves gourmet burgers and sides, offering a flavorful and upscale fast-casual dining experience.

Franchisees

?

2
+
n.a.
n.a.
Investment

?

$559,000 - $3,168,000