Burger King vs Carl's Jr Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Burger King vs Carl's Jr including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Burger King Franchise
Carl's Jr Franchise
Investment $333,100 - $3,398,600$1,603,000 - $2,168,000
Franchise Fee $50,000$25,000 - $35,000
Royalty Fee 4.5%4%
Advertising Fee 4%6%
Year Founded 19541945
Year Franchised 19611984
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee $50KVaries


Business Experience Requirements
 
Burger King Franchise
Carl's Jr Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Preferable operational experience in a restaurant, but will consider people who have owned their own business
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    Financing Options
     
    Burger King Franchise
    Carl's Jr Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Burger King Franchise
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Training Before the opening of the Restaurant, franchisees must successfully complete the franchisor's training program. The training program is held in Miami, Florida or other locations specified by the franchisor. In-Restaurant Training will be held in various Restaurant locations that have been authorized as Training Restaurants. The franchisor may require additional training programs for individual Owner/Operators or Managing Directors to implement current operations, standards, and procedures and to facilitate the growth and changes of the franchisee. The franchisor also makes available and sometimes requires periodic workshops and seminars for managers, which include management courses and updating of operational skills. The franchisor will provide Pre-opening and Restaurant opening assistance as it deems appropriate. The franchisor also provides continuing operations training programs, which franchisees (as an Operating Partner, Managing Director, Director of Operations, or Managing Owner, as applicable) may be required to attend. For certain training courses, franchisees must pay a course or materials fee to the franchisor or third parties. The franchisor may make changes and revisions to the training program, locations or materials at any time.Available at franchisee's location, 12 weeks of management training & at grand opening
    Support Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing Co-op advertising, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations - Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses; 100% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Burger King Franchise
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Burger King

    In 1954, James McLamore and David Edgerton opened the first Burger King restaurant in Miami; selling 18 cent broiled hamburgers and milkshakes. Three years later, the company's signature Whopper was introduced, selling for 37 cents a piece. Today Burger King restaurants serve chicken nuggets, salads, a breakfast menu and kids meals. In 1998, the company opened its 10,000th location in Sydney, Australia.

    The franchise granted can be operated at one of three locations and facility types:
    1. Institutional Locations: “Institutional locations” include government buildings and facilities, medical facilities, airports, train and bus stations, sports facilities, factories, corporate campuses, turnpikes, limited access toll roads, theme parks, zoos and educational facilities.
    2. Traditional Burger King Restaurant Facility: A self-contained, full size Burger King Restaurant which is located and operated on a site as a freestanding building or within another building structure such as a shopping mall. A Traditional Burger King Restaurant does not share any common areas with any other businesses and serves the standard approved menu for Burger King Restaurants.
    3. Non-Traditional Burger King Facility: A Burger King Restaurant may be located at a site which includes other businesses, such as retail, food service, gas stations, convenience stores, other franchised businesses or restaurants or other similar facilities.
    "Top    ""

    #37 in Canada's top franchises.



    About Carl's Jr

    Carl's Jr. is known all through the Western U.S. as the place to go for premium quality burgers, specifically its 100% Angus hamburger Six Dollar Burger line.

    At Hardee's® and Carl's Jr.® our brand sets us apart from the competition. Our advertisements are created to be so bold and memorable that they've been known to crash internet video servers. Our taglines deliver bold statements and our visuals are designed to keep viewers wanting more. EAT LIKE YOU MEAN IT.

    Hardee's® and Carl's Jr.® have a strong track record of successfully developing new premium products to lead the category in taste, quality, and innovation. As an industry leader, we have consistently out-delivered all other quick-service restaurants in product development since our founding. Staying on top requires that we continue to lead the way in the products we serve through taste, quality, and innovation.


    ""  "Entrepreneur

    #100 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #202 in Franchise 500 for 2021.