Hamburger Mary's vs Carl's Jr Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Hamburger Mary's Franchise
Carl's Jr Franchise
Investment $417,150 - $955,500$1,603,000 - $2,168,000
Franchise Fee $50,000$25,000 - $35,000
Royalty Fee 4% (on first $150K monthly gross), 3% (on monthly gross above $150K)4%
Advertising Fee -6%
Year Founded 19721945
Year Franchised 19991984
Term Of Agreement 5 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 5 years20 years
Renewal Fee -Varies


Business Experience Requirements

 
Hamburger Mary's Franchise
Carl's Jr Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • One partner must have bar/restaurant management experience

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Preferable operational experience in a restaurant, but will consider people who have owned their own business

  • Financing Options

     
    Hamburger Mary's Franchise
    Carl's Jr Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/YesNo/No
    Equipment No/YesNo/No
    Inventory No/YesNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/YesNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Hamburger Mary's Franchise
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Training -Available at franchisee's location, 12 weeks of management training & at grand opening
    Support Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluationsNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperatives
    Marketing -Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising
    Operations 8% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 40

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    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

     
    Hamburger Mary's Franchise
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    US Expansion -Yes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    Company Overviews

    About Hamburger Mary's

    Started in San Francisco in 1972, Hamburger Mary's serves homestyle meals prepared using fresh and healthy ingredients, including low-fat beef, farm-fresh chicken and turkey, and salads, as well as desserts including carrot cake, snicker's pie and cheesecake. The restaurants include a full bar and a kids' menu.

    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.