Hardee's vs Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise Comparison

Below is an in-depth analysis and side-by-side comparison of Hardee's vs Red Robin Gourmet Burgers including start-up costs and fees, business experience requirements, training & support and financing options.

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Hardee's Franchise
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise
Investment $1,454,000 - $2,046,000$1,865,000 - $4,115,000
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000$35,000
Royalty Fee 4%4%
Advertising Fee 5.5%-
Year Founded 19611969
Year Franchised 19620
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Hardee's Franchise
Red Robin Gourmet Burgers 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

     
    Hardee's Franchise
    Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-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

     
    Hardee's Franchise
    Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise
    Training Available at franchisee's location, 8 weeks 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

     
    Hardee's Franchise
    Red Robin Gourmet Burgers Franchise
    US Expansion YesNo
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    Company Overviews

    About Hardee's

    Hardee's was founded in 1960 by Wilbur Hardee and has grown to more than 2,000 restaurants around the world. CKE Restaurants acquired Hardee's in 1997 and now, along side Carl's Jr., Hardee's is part of one powerful concept with two global banners. Hardee's is a platform for success for operators around the world. Over the years, Hardee's has continued its growth with an emphasis on quality, service, and cleanliness, pioneering concepts such as partial table service and self-serve beverage bars. The introduction of our Fresh Baked Buns™ in 2013 and our All Natural Burger™ in 2015 confirm our constant emphasis on product innovation and represent our focus on satisfying the tastes of young, hungry consumers.

    ""    "Entrepreneur

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #74 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #79 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #269 in Franchise 500 for 2021.






    About Red Robin Gourmet Burgers

    Red Robin Gourmet Burgers was founded in 1969. It is a casual dining restaurant chain that serves up wholesome, fun, feel-good experiences in a family-friendly environment. Red Robin restaurants are famous for serving more than 22 high-quality gourmet burgers in a variety of recipes with Bottomless Steak Fries, as well as salads, soups, appetizers, entrees, desserts, and signature Mad Mixology Beverages. There are more than 360 Red Robin restaurants located across the United States and Canada, which include both corporate-owned locations and those operating under franchise or license agreements.

    The initial franchise fee is $35,000. The total investment necessary to begin operation of a RED ROBIN® RESTAURANT ranges from $2,220,000 to $4,115,000 for a freestanding prototype building, or $1,865,000 to $3,635,000 for a standard-size, in-line space prototype or for a mid-size, in-line space prototype.
    These ranges include the initial franchise fee of $35,000 that you must pay to the franchisor but does not include the cost of buying, building or renting the restaurant location and the cost to obtain a liquor license.

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