Carl's Jr vs Choo Choo Johnny's Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Carl's Jr Franchise	Choo Choo Johnny's Franchise
Investment	$1,603,000 - $2,168,000	$313,850 - $441,500
Franchise Fee	$25,000 - $35,000	N/A
Royalty Fee	4%	-
Advertising Fee	6%	-
Year Founded	1945	2002
Year Franchised	1984	2005
Term Of Agreement	20 years	-
Term Of Agreement	20 years	-
Renewal Fee	Varies	-
Business Experience Requirements
	Carl's Jr Franchise	Choo Choo Johnny's 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	Choo Choo Johnny's 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	Choo Choo Johnny's Franchise
Training	Available at franchisee's location, 12 weeks of management training & at grand opening	Comprehensive Training - You'll be trained in all aspects of our business operations and procedures, including our superb food preparation techniques. You'll learn our highly effective administrative, office, sales, computer software, and marketing procedures. You'll also receive excellent on-the-job training at our flagship restaurant, as well as training at your own restaurant, prior to, during, and after your Choo Choo Johnny's grand opening.
Support	Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives	Operational Support - Our services include guidance in unit operations and maintenance, customer-service techniques, product ordering, suggested pricing guidelines, marketing support, and administrative procedures. We will provide you with a comprehensive Operations Manual that contains detailed information to be used for ready reference in running virtually every aspect of your business.
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	Choo Choo Johnny's 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 Choo Choo Johnny's

ALL ABOARD! To Choo Choo Johnny's Eatery, a family-oriented restaurant with a train theme that is popular among children and adults: model trains! Both kids and adults are amused as a train chugs along the restaurant walls; An interactive train display entertains both the young and old at heart; Guests seated along the counter track will have special food delivery via model train. A variety of train, country, and children's music play in the background enhancing the railroad dining experience.