Carl's Jr Cost Comparisons

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.




Chicken/Wings Franchise Opportunities

Below is a quick comparison of Carl's Jr against other Chicken/Wings franchises and business opportunities. For an in depth comparison of Carl's Jr with another opportunity including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options click on the name of the company to view the detailed comparison.

Franchise Franchise Fee Royalty Advertising Fee Development Costs
AllStar Wings & Ribs $45,000 $772,500-$1,093,286
Atomic Wings $35,000-$160,500 5% $170,400-$404,855
bb.q Chicken $35,000 $251,500-$809,875
Bojangles' Famous Chicken 'n Biscuits $25,000 4% 1% $1,519,600-$2,512,500
Bonchon $40,000 3.75%- 4.75% $503,879-$1,099,004
Boneheads $25,000 5% 2% $387,000-$668,000
Brewster's Chicken $8,500 $850/mo. $125/mo. $99,000-$2,400,000
Brown's Chicken & Pasta $25,000 $155,000-$2,699,000
Buffalo Philly's $18,000 4% $215,200-$376,100
Buffalo Wild Wings $25,000 5% 3.25% $2,695,100-$4,244,300
Buffalo Wings & Rings $40,000 5% 2%-4% $1,280,000-$2,412,000
Buffalo's Southwest Cafe $50,000 6% 2% $491,500-$1,464,000
Charo Chicken $25,000 $518,350-$632,600
Chester's $3,500 $12,385-$277,313
Chick 'n' Chick $30,000-$50,000 $450,000-$550,000
Chick'nCone $30,000 $102,725-$255,200
Chick-fil-A $10,000 $582,360-$2,025,400
Chicken Delight $20,000 5% 4% $428,900-$603,100
Chicken Dijon $25,000 $172,000-$329,000
Chicken Guy! $20,000 $509,000-$978,500
Chicken Kitchen $30,000 5% 2%local+1%Nat'l $300,000-$500,000
Chickery (Canada), The $30,000 $235,500-$510,500
Chickery, The $30,000 6% 2% $250,000-$512,500
CHOOKS $52,500 4% 4% + 1% local $300,615
Church's Chicken $15,000 5% 5% $348,300-$1,826,300
Cluck-u Chicken $25,000 $125,000-$225,000
Commercial Capital Training Group N/A 4% local $25,000-$100,000
Cowboy Chicken $15,000 $511,996-$844,907
Culver $55,000 4% 2.5% $2,349,000-$5,356,000
Dave's Hot Chicken N/A $419,800-$2,386,500
Dick's Wings $35,000 $229,500-$772,500
Dixie Lee $30,000 6% $160,000-$369,000
East Coast Wings $40,000 5% 2% $661,375-$1,098,570
El Pollo Loco $40,000 2%-3%-4% $900,000-$1,755,000
Ezell's Chicken $20,000 5% $400,000-$600,000
Flame Broiler Restaurant, The $35,000 5% 3% $380,116-$609,763
Flamer's Grill $30,000 5% 2% $171,500-$345,500
Fried Chicken Master $220,000 $399,000-$513,000
Golden Chick $30,000 4% 1% $440,950-$1,348,500
Ground Pat'i Grille & Bar, The $22,000-$35,000 4% $359,800-$1,600,000
Gus's Fried Chicken $75,000 $409,300-$1,037,300
Hartz Chicken $20,000 $288,000-$993,600
Houston Restaurants $50,000 $1,350,000
Hurricane Grill & Wings $50,000 6% 4% $491,500-$1,464,000
KFC US LLC $45,000 4-5% 5% $1,008,550-$2,771,500
Mary Brown's $25,000 5% 4% $500,000-$600,000
MD Plucker's Wing Factory $18,000 $70,000-$225,000
Mo-joe's $20,000-$25,000 $125,000-$350,000
Naked Chicken $25,000 5% 2% $233,500-$624,000
Nando's Chickenland (West) Ltd $35,000 6% 3% $550,000-$650,000
Native Grill & Wings $35,000 6% 1% $989,500-$2,612,000
Otter's Chicken Tenders $30,000 5% $291,500-$429,000
Pappas Roasters $25,000 $230,000-$295,000
Pluckers Wing Bar $18,000 $70,000-$225,000
Pollo Campero $40,000 5% 5% $887,250-$2,126,500
Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen $50,000 5% 4% $383,500-$2,620,800
Port of Peri Peri, The N/A $121,400-$461,000
Pudgie's Famous Chicken $30,000 5% $197,000-$379,000
Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers $0-$45,000 $768,100-$1,937,500
Ranch One $30,000 6% 4% $170,400-$461,000
Red Rooster $50,000 $370,000-$900,000
Rex's Chicken $25,000 6% $196,000-$593,000
Scores Restaurants $45,000 6% 2% $537,000-$737,000
Slim Chickens $15,000 5% 1.5% $841,900-$1,739,000
Sonoma Chicken Coop N/A $709,000-$1,919,000
St. Louis Bar and Grill $45,000 6% 1% $200,000-$850,000
Steaks To Go $24,500 $250/wk. or 3% $110,000-$150,000
Wild Wing Cafe $50,000 4% 3.5% $1,054,242-$2,238,925
Wild Wings n Things N/A $85,000-$125,000
Williams Fried Chicken $12,000-$25,000 $290,000-And Up
Wing Machine $20,000 $102,000-$204,000
Wing Nutz $30,000 $195,000-$380,000
Wing Zone $30,000-$40,000 5% 2% $342,800-$566,000
WingHouse $50,000-$135,000 $928,000-$1,926,000
WINGMAN WINGS $25,000-$83,750 4% 1% $250,000
Wings Etc. $39,500 5% 1% $351,200-$1,669,369
Wings Over... $20,000 4% $207,875-$493,875
Wingstop $30,000 6% 4% $376,300-$724,200
WingsUp! $35,000 $220,000-$280,000
WOW Cafe & Wingery $15,000-$35,000 3%-8% t0 2% $234,400-$757,000
Yaya's Flame Broiled Chicken $15,000 4% 3% $338,000-$460,000

Fast Food Franchise Opportunities

Below is a quick comparison of Carl's Jr against other Fast Food franchises and business opportunities. For an in depth comparison of Carl's Jr with another opportunity including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options click on the name of the company to view the detailed comparison.

Franchise Franchise Fee Royalty Advertising Fee Development Costs
Anoush N/A $1,500 flat + GST $160,000-$200,000
b.good $40,000 5% 1.5% $545,000-$951,000
Back Yard Burgers $35,000 5% 3% $465,000-$1,680,000
Bar-B-Cutie $35,000 5% 2% $266,986-$2,080,491
Berryhill Baja Grill $25,500-$30,000 5% $257,500-$527,500
Binghamton Hots $25,000 5% 2% $122,850-$213,450
Boardwalk Fries $30,000 6% $144,500-$626,000
Bull Chicks $39,000 7% 2% $120,550-$338,550
Burger 21 $27,000-$40,000 5% 1% -3% $448,247-$1,175,164
Burger King $50,000 4.5% 4% $333,100-$3,398,600
BurritoVille $25,000 6% 2% $100,000-$500,000
Cafe Yumm $40,000 6% up to 3% $716,500-$999,200
Central Park Of America N/A $287,000-$418,000
Checkers Drive-In $30,000 4% 4.5% $259,000-$1,431,000
Cheeburger Cheeburger $24,500-$35,000 4.5% $322,500-$603,000
Chester's $3,500 $12,385-$277,313
Choo Choo Johnny's N/A $313,850-$441,500
Cinema Grill $30,000 3% $500,000-And Up
Corn D' Queen $1,140 0 0 $1,300
CRAVE $35,000 6% 2% $157,900-$453,500
Dairy Belle Freeze $12,500 $50,000-$200,000
Dino's Gyros $30,000 4% 2% $482,000-$613,000
Everbowl $20,000 $99,047-$267,250
Evos $35,000 3.5-5.5% $349,900-$449,900
Farmer Boys $45,000 5% 3% $1,042,500-$2,486,500
Fast Eddie's $25,000 $245,000-$295,000
Fit for Life N/A 7% 0% $180,000-And Up
Five Guys Burgers & Fries $50,000-$125,000 6% 2% $306,200-$716,250
Foster's Grille $35,000 5% $291,700-$538,100
Freddy's Frozen Custard & Steakburgers $25,000 4.5% 3.75% $640,552-$2,077,046
French Fry Heaven $25,000 6% 4% $118,900-$339,700
Fuddruckers $35,000 5% .25% $495,000-$1,565,000
Grandy's $30,000 $799,800-$1,104,000
Great Steak $30,000 6% $155,900-$520,300
Healthy Bites Grill $30,000 4% $258,800-$637,000
Hongkong Noodle Factory $1,450 0 0 $1,600
Hot Stuff Foods N/A 0 0 $59,500-$140,000
Hummus & Pita Co $40,000 6% 3% $409,000-$734,500
Iceberg Drive Inn $25,000 $132,500-$556,000
Jerry's Curb Service $40,000 4% $959,000-$1,600,000
JL Beers $40,000 4% $857,200-$2,222,500
Jody Maroni's Sausage Kingdom $25,000 5% $100,000-$400,000
Johnny Rockets $49,000 5% $581,000-$877,000
Justix $30,000 6% $223,000-$332,000
Kelly's Cajun Grill $30,000 $230,500-$414,500
KFC US LLC $45,000 4-5% 5% $1,008,550-$2,771,500
la prep $35,000 6% $300,000-$425,000
Li'l Dino Corp N/A $47,400-$240,800
Lindy - Gertie's $9,500 2% $49,000-And Up
Liquid Planet $25,000 5% 1%Nat'l + 1%Local $158,250-$302,000
Maid-Rite $60,000 6% 2% $99,375-$141,500
Manchu Wok $30,000 7% 1% $476,050-$787,500
McDonald's $45,000 4% 4%+ $1,314,500-$2,306,500
Mega Wraps $10,000 6% 2% $189,000
Million Snacks $2,000 5% 1% $109,050-$302,000
Moe's Southwest Grill $30,000 5% 2% $457,400-$911,500
Mr. Empanada $35,000 3% or $500 2% $190,500-$293,500
Mr. Goodburger's $25,000 6-8% $155,000-$210,000
Mr. Goodcents $35,000 6% 3.5% $211,432-$431,843
Mr. Pita $35,000 $175,000-$325,000
Negril Eatery $25,000 5% $244,100-$327,567
Nothing But Noodles $25,000 6% $408,500-$555,300
Original Brooklyn Water Bagel Company, The $30,000 6% 2% $300,660-$773,300
Orion Food Systems N/A $59,500-$140,000
Pacman Balls on Stick $1,140 0 0 $1,300
Papa-N-Son's $30,000 6% $196,450-$296,800
Petro's Chili & Chips $15,000 5% 4% local+1% Nat'l $75,000-$324,950
Philly Connection $20,000 6% $154,000-$261,500
PINCHO $30,000 5% 2% $463,055-And Up
Planet Wings $25,000 6% 1% $267,000-$423,500
Rising Roll Gourmet $30,000 2%local + 1%Nat'l $283,000-$425,500
Roy Rogers $30,000 5% 3% $767,250-$1,580,950
Rumbi Island Grill $35,000 5%-8% 2% $350,000-$495,500
Sandella's $25,000 $147,400-$225,250
Shamrock Burgers $20,000 5% 1% Nat'l $200,000-$240,000
Skyline Chili $20,000 $360,000-$480,000
Sonic Drive In $45,000 2.45-5% 3% $1,242,000-$3,523,300
Sophie's Cuban Cuisine $7,500 $365,000-$611,000
Steak n Shake $25,000-$40,000 5.5% $672,000-$1,835,000
Taco Bell $25,000-$45,000 5.5% 4.25% $152,250-$3,049,100
Taco John's $25,000 5% 4% $475,000-$1,599,000
Taco Maker, The $19,000-$29,000 5% $221,000-$400,000
Taco Palace $33,950 0-4% $53,200-$133,100
Tastee Freez $10,000-$20,000 5% 3%local + 1% Nat'l $40,000-$900,000
Tin Drum Asia Cafe $49,000-$99,000 6% 1.5% $400,800-$617,250
Tin Star Restaurant $20,000-$35,000 4% $500,000
UFood $35,000 5% 2% $415,500-$598,500
Valentine Restaurant $25,000 5% 2.5% $225,000-$275,000
Ward's Restaurants $20,000 $250,000-$400,000
Wild Noodles $25,000 5% $273,500-$350,000
ZooHoo's Eatery $10,000-$17,500 4.5% $69,000-$159,000

Hamburgers/Hot Dogs Franchise Opportunities

Below is a quick comparison of Carl's Jr against other Hamburgers/Hot Dogs franchises and business opportunities. For an in depth comparison of Carl's Jr with another opportunity including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options click on the name of the company to view the detailed comparison.

Franchise Franchise Fee Royalty Advertising Fee Development Costs
A & W Restaurants $15,000-$30,000 5% 5% $269,000-$1,213,000
All American Hot Dog Carts N/A $1,700-$5,999
America's Dog & Burger $30,000 $298,800-$694,050
Back Yard Burgers $35,000 5% 3% $465,000-$1,680,000
Bareburger N/A $987,000-And Up
Burger Hut N/A 4.5% $376,092-And Up
Burger Joint, The $40,000 5.5% 1%Nat'l + 1%Local $195,800-$589,800
Burger King $50,000 4.5% 4% $333,100-$3,398,600
BurgerFi $37,500 5.5% 1.5% $613,600-$987,250
BurgerFuel $35,000 6% of net 4% of net $510,500-$864,500
Burgerim N/A $150,000-$400,000
Carla's Sandwiches & Burgers $8,500 $850/mo. $125/mo. $81,000-$2,400,000
Carts of America N/A $3,299-$6,999
Char-Hut $30,000 $250,000-$500,000
Checkers Drive-In $30,000 4% 4.5% $259,000-$1,431,000
Cheeburger Cheeburger $24,500-$35,000 4.5% $322,500-$603,000
Cheese Curds Gourmet Burgers + Poutinerie $35,000 5% 1% Nat'l + 1% local $475,000-$650,000
Coney Beach $25,000 6% $279,000-$493,000
Coneys Frozen Custard $19,500 6% 4% $129,250-$194,500
Counter, The $35,000 6% 2% $711,133-$1,939,750
Culver $55,000 4% 2.5% $2,349,000-$5,356,000
Dairy Queen $45,000 4% 5-6% $1,151,135-$1,936,655
Dog Haus $35,000 6% 2% $378,000-$949,100
Dogfather, The $25,000-$35,000 6.5% $179,300-$263,000
Dogout, The $25,000 $204,000-$474,000
Dream Maker Hot Dog Carts N/A $2,899-$15,999
Drifter's Hamburgers $25,000 5% 2% local $113,500-$501,000
Elevation Burger N/A $338,500-$599,500
Farmer Boys $45,000 5% 3% $1,042,500-$2,486,500
Fat Patty's $40,000 $627,533-$1,048,500
Fatburger $50,000 6% 2% $498,100-$850,600
Five Guys Burgers & Fries $50,000-$125,000 6% 2% $306,200-$716,250
Flamer's Grill $30,000 5% 2% $171,500-$345,500
Foster's Grille $35,000 5% $291,700-$538,100
Frankie's N/A $200,000-And Up
Freakin' Unbelievable Burgers $40,000 4% 1% $307,850-$696,000
Fuddruckers $35,000 5% .25% $495,000-$1,565,000
Fulton Market Burger Company $15,000 4% 2% $275,000-$405,000
Gino's Burgers & Chicken N/A $500,000-$700,000
Glory Days Grill $50,000 3% 1% $1,696,500-$2,526,500
Good Times Burgers N/A 4% up to 5.5% $750,000-And Up
Grill'd Burger N/A 8% 2% $555,590-$885,700
Ground Pat'i Grille & Bar, The $22,000-$35,000 4% $359,800-$1,600,000
Habit Burger $35,000 $1,231,000-$1,654,000
Hamburger Mary's $50,000 4% (on first $150K monthly gross), 3% (on monthly gross above $150K) $417,150-$955,500
Hardee's $25,000-$35,000 4% 5.5% $1,454,000-$2,046,000
Hero Certified Burgers $25,000 $60,000-$80,000
Hot Dog On A Stick $15,000-$25,000 6% 2% $338,200-$556,000
Hot Fries $30,000 $166,997-$374,900
Hwy 55 Burgers, Shakes & Fries $25,000 5% 1% $153,925-$249,925
Jack in the Box $50,000 5% 5% $1,651,500-$2,638,600
Jake's Over the Top $29,000-$40,000 5% 3% $150,000-$350,000
Jerry's Curb Service $40,000 4% $959,000-$1,600,000
JL Beers $40,000 4% $857,200-$2,222,500
Johnnie's Dog House $25,000 6% $82,600-$355,750
Johnny Rockets $49,000 5% $581,000-$877,000
Juicy Burgers N/A $50,414-$150,265
Krystal Restaurants $32,500 4.5% $900,000-$1,300,000
Lick's $45,000 $495,000-$595,000
Locos Grill & Pub $35,000 4% $575,400-$1,960,000
McDonald's $45,000 4% 4%+ $1,314,500-$2,306,500
Meaty Burger & Hotdogs $1,350 0 0 $1,500
Mooyah $40,000 6% 3% $403,750-$639,100
Mr. Goodburger's $25,000 6-8% $155,000-$210,000
Nathan's Famous $30,000 5.5% 2% $43,000-$1,071,360
O'Burger $30,000-$40,000 $175,000-$500,000
Original Hot Dog Factory, The $20,000 5.5% 1% $97,500-$517,887
Philly Dawgz $30,000 3.5% 3% local +1% Nat'l $77,000-$135,000
Rally's Hamburgers $30,000 4% 4.5% $254,000-$1,431,000
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers $35,000 4% $1,865,000-$4,115,000
Runza Restaurants $30,000 5% 1%+up to 4% locally $1,250,000-$2,720,000
Smashburger $40,000 5 - 6% 2% $743,130-$1,404,535
Sonic Drive In $45,000 2.45-5% 3% $1,242,000-$3,523,300
Steak n Shake $25,000-$40,000 5.5% $672,000-$1,835,000
Steaks To Go $24,500 $250/wk. or 3% $110,000-$150,000
Wahlburgers $40,000 6% $1,680,000-$2,885,000
Wayback Burgers $35,000 5% 2% $209,000,524,500
Wendy's $40,000 4% 3.5%Nat'l +0.5% Local $318,850-$3,689,350
Whataburger N/A $1,200,000
Wienerschnitzel $10,000-$32,000 5% 1% $303,600-$1,443,000
Willy Dog N/A $599-$8,999
Windmill $27,500 5% 4% $127,500-$322,500
Woody's Chicago Style N/A 6% $58,600-$394,000
WORKS Gourmet Burger Bistro, The $45,000 6% 2%-2.5% $650,000-$850,000