Hardee's

Founded: 1961 Franchising since: 1962
Wilber Hardee opened his first restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina, in 1960, and just five months later he had his first franchisee. Hardee's restaurants, which serve biscuits, burgers and chicken, have since spread throughout the Midwestern and Southeastern U.S.

In 1997, Hardee's was acquired by California-based CKE Restaurants Inc., franchisor of Carl's Jr. Restaurants.

100 N. Broadway, #1200 Saint Louis, Missouri 63102

Phone: (866)253-7655

Franchisor has 230 employee(s); 4 employee(s) in franchise department.

Franchise Growth

Year	U.S. Franchises	Canadian Franchises	Foreign Franchises	Company Owned
2009	1231	0	206	478
2008	1,208	0	189	518
2007	1,156	0	175	584
2006	1,109	0	149	705
2005	1,202	0	144	676

Where Seeking Franchisees
In the U.S. Midwest, Northeast, South, Southeast

Exclusive territories available.
Territory size: Varies

Total investment: $1.1M-1.5M Franchise fee: $35K

Ongoing royalty fee: 4% Term of agreement: 20 years, renewable

Type of Financing Available

	In-House	Third Party
Franchise Fee	No	Yes
Startup Costs	No	Yes
Equipment	No	Yes
Inventory	No	No
Accounts Receivable	No	No
Payroll	No	No

Qualifications
Net worth requirement: $1M
Cash liquidity requirement: $300K
Business Experience:

• Industry experience
• General business experience
• Preferable operational experience in a restaurant, but will consider people who have owned their own business

Operations

• 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit
• Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

Training

• Available at franchisee's location
• 8 weeks management training & at grand opening

Ongoing Support

• Newsletter
• Meetings
• Toll-free phone line
• Grand opening
• Internet
• Field operations/evaluations
• Purchasing cooperatives

Marketing Support

• Co-op advertising
• Ad slicks
• National media
• Regional advertising

Franchise 500® rank:
#26 (2009); #62 (2008); #60 (2006);

Fastest-Growing Franchises:
#26 (2009);

America's Top Global Franchises:
#85 (2008); #53 (2006);