Manchu Wok vs Carl's Jr Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Manchu Wok Franchise	Carl's Jr Franchise
Investment	$476,050 - $787,500	$1,603,000 - $2,168,000
Franchise Fee	$30,000	$25,000 - $35,000
Royalty Fee	7%	4%
Advertising Fee	1%	6%
Year Founded	1981	1945
Year Franchised	1989	1984
Term Of Agreement	5 years	20 years
Term Of Agreement	5 years	20 years
Renewal Fee	$3K per year	Varies
Business Experience Requirements
	Manchu Wok 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
Financing Options
	Manchu Wok Franchise	Carl's Jr Franchise
	In-House/3rd Party	In-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees	No/No	No/No
Start-up Costs	No/No	No/No
Equipment	No/No	No/No
Inventory	No/No	No/No
Receivables	No/No	No/No
Payroll	No/No	No/No
Training & Support
	Manchu Wok Franchise	Carl's Jr Franchise
Training	-	Available at franchisee's location, 12 weeks of management training & at grand opening
Support	Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives	Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
Marketing	Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising	Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
Operations	20% of all franchisees own more than one unit Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 12 Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (90% of current franchisees are owner/operators)	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
	Manchu Wok Franchise	Carl's Jr Franchise
US Expansion	-	Yes
Canada Expansion	No	No
International Expansion	Yes	Yes

Company Overviews

About Manchu Wok

Conceived and founded in 1980, Manchu Wok grew into a national chain across Canada and into the United States over the next nine years. Ownership changed in 1989, and expansion continued with a focus on the United States. Manchu Wok now has close to 150 stores, of which more than 70 percent are franchised.

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.

#202 in Franchise 500 for 2021.