Hardee's: Leading the Way in Quality Fast Food Franchising

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.

Hardee's franchisees benefit from a thorough 10-week training program and ongoing support across various operational domains, including site selection, restaurant design, construction, and marketing.

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. Hardee's dedication to growth and its support for franchise partners underscore its ambition to expand and continue delivering its signature dishes to a broader audience.

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.