Carl's Jr vs Hot Stuff Foods Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Hot Stuff Foods Franchise
Investment $1,603,000 - $2,168,000$59,500 - $140,000
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000N/A
Royalty Fee 4%0
Advertising Fee 6%0
Year Founded 19451982
Year Franchised 19841993
Term Of Agreement 20 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years5 years
Renewal Fee Varies0


Business Experience Requirements
 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Hot Stuff Foods Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Preferable operational experience in a restaurant, but will consider people who have owned their own business

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Marketing skills
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Hot Stuff Foods Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoYes/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Hot Stuff Foods Franchise
    Training Available at franchisee's location, 12 weeks of management training & at grand opening-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingAd 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.

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed.

    Expansion Plans
     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Hot Stuff Foods Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    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.




    About Hot Stuff Foods

    Developed in 1986, Hot Stuff Pizza has become the flagship brand of Orion Food Systems and the go-to favorite for consumers around the world. With delicious and satisfying options for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and every snack in between, this pizza powerhouse offers extensive and crowd-pleasing menus that are easy-to-prepare and highly customizable. We provide national marketing campaigns with new promotions every quarter, including high-impact advertising materials, exciting new product introductions, and limited-time offer options, whichever is better for your business. Join over 900 franchisees and capitalize on America's most popular foods. With core menus that include a wide variety of pizzas, ready-to-bake appetizers, hot sandwiches, hot wings, breakfast burritos and croissants, Cinnobabies, and other on-the-go favorites. Our recipe is simple: Quality Products through Quality People. At Orion Food Systems, we have a great team that cares about creating the very best-tasting restaurant-quality food - in addition to providing boutique-level service. When you partner with us, you'll receive a nimble, customizable food service solution as well as all of the training, marketing, and 24-hour support you'll need to be successful. Contact us at 1-877-841-1431 to learn more about putting the Hot Stuff Pizza brand to work for you!

    Seeking new franchise units in the following regions/states:
    Alaska, Alabama, Arkansas, Arizona, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Iowa, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Mississippi, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, North Dakota, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Nevada, New York, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia, Wyoming