Carl's Jr vs Ward's Restaurants Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Carl's Jr Franchise	Ward's Restaurants Franchise
Investment	$1,603,000 - $2,168,000	$250,000 - $400,000
Franchise Fee	$25,000 - $35,000	$20,000
Royalty Fee	4%	-
Advertising Fee	6%	-
Year Founded	1945	-
Year Franchised	1984	-
Term Of Agreement	20 years	-
Term Of Agreement	20 years	-
Renewal Fee	Varies	-
Business Experience Requirements
	Carl's Jr Franchise	Ward's Restaurants Franchise
Experience	Industry experience General business experience Preferable operational experience in a restaurant, but will consider people who have owned their own business	-
Financing Options
	Carl's Jr Franchise	Ward's Restaurants Franchise
	In-House/3rd Party	In-House/3rd Party
Franchise Fees	No/No	-/-
Start-up Costs	No/No	-/-
Equipment	No/No	-/-
Inventory	No/No	-/-
Receivables	No/No	-/-
Payroll	No/No	-/-
Training & Support
	Carl's Jr Franchise	Ward's Restaurants 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 cooperatives	-
Marketing	Co-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
	Carl's Jr Franchise	Ward's Restaurants Franchise
US Expansion	Yes	-
Canada Expansion	No	-
International Expansion	Yes	-

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.

#202 in Franchise 500 for 2021.

About Ward's Restaurants

Ward’s Food Systems, Inc is the exclusive franchising agent for Ward’s Restaurants. Ward’s Food Systems provide consulting and support services to Ward’s franchisees, They assist in planning, site selection, construction, training, and opening of the new restaurant. After opening, regular visits by our franchise consultants help insure a successful program.

Is a Ward’s franchise right for you? It has been for many people from all walks of life. If you are serious about ownership in the restaurant industry, willing to devote your time and energy, and have an adequate net worth, the proven concept of a Ward’s restaurant could be for you. We welcome your inquiries into the possibilities of becoming a Ward’s franchise owner. Feel free to call us at your convenience for more detailed information and a personal appointment.