Carl's Jr vs Taco Bell Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Taco Bell Franchise
Investment $1,603,000 - $2,168,000$152,250 - $3,049,100
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000$25,000 - $45,000
Royalty Fee 4%5.5%
Advertising Fee 6%4.25%
Year Founded 19451962
Year Franchised 19841964
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Taco Bell Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Preferable operational experience in a restaurant, but will consider people who have owned their own business
    		• Multi-unit Operations Background

    Restaurant, retail and/or gas convenience experience

    Geographically Desirable

    Open to locate in a strategic market and have local market knowledge

    Experience/skills

    Run a successfull business, with p/l responsibility, and development experience

    Team Builder

    Experience in staffing and retaining employees, demonstrated leadership skills

    A culture fit with taco bell

    Commitment to world class operations with strong recognition mindset

    Financial Strength

    Minimum of $750,000 liquid assets and $1,500,000 net worth

    Financing Options
     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Taco Bell Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/No
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/No
    Equipment No/NoNo/No
    Inventory No/NoNo/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Taco Bell Franchise
    Training Available at franchisee's location, 12 weeks of management training & at grand openingAvailable at headquarters, Additional training available
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op advertising, 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.

    		 Franchisees required to buy multiple units/master licenses

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 25

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Taco Bell Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesYes

    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.


    ""  "Entrepreneur

    #100 in Franchise 500 for 2020.
    #202 in Franchise 500 for 2021.




    About Taco Bell

    After leaving the Marine Corps at 23, Glen Bell came home to San Bernardino, California and opened a hot dog stand. But his real interest was in alternative menu items, so he began selling tacos for 19 cents from a side window of the hot dog stand. When the tacos proved as popular as he had hoped, he started opening Taco Tia stands where tacos were the stars of the menu. In 1962, Bell sold the Taco Tia brand to his partners and opened the first Taco Bell in Downey, California. Franchising began two years later. Taco Bell is the country's driving Mexican-propelled snappy administration eatery (QSR) mark. We serve made-to-request and adaptable tacos and burritos, among other craveable decisions, and are the primary QSR eatery to offer American Vegetarian Association (AVA)- confirmed menu items. Taco Bell and our more than 350 establishment associations work over 6,500 eateries throughout the United States that gladly serve around 40 million clients consistently.

    Outside of our eateries, individuals can simply get to the Taco Bell mark through our Mobile Ordering and Payment App. In 2014, Taco Bell turned into the main QSR to dispatch a versatile application at eateries across the nation for both drive-through and feasting orders. Notwithstanding the portable application, individuals can arrange their most loved menu things by means of desktop on Ta.co or for conveyance through our association with DoorDash.

    While Taco Bell is fundamentally a U.S. mark, Yum! Brands managed to make it the Company's third worldwide brand. Outside the U.S., we have over 300 Taco Bell units in 24 nations, barring the Yum! China Division.

    The initial investment necessary to begin operation of a Taco Bell Express Unit ranges from $252,550 to $580,100 for a Custom Façade Unit, including $22,500 that must be paid to the licensor and $2,000 to $5,000 that must be paid to its affiliate for the first unit only.
    For a Power-Pumper or In-Line Unit, the total investment ranges from $345,950 to $701,100, including $22,500 that must be paid to the licensor and $3,500 to $5,000 that must be paid to its affiliate for the first unit only.
    The total investment necessary to begin operation of an existing restaurant ranges from $152,250 to $1,766,250 or more, excluding real property, all of which must be paid to licensor or an affiliate.

    "Top    ""   "Entrepreneur

    #52 in Canada's Top franchises.

    "franchiserankingscom"
    #99 on Franchise Rankings.com
    #2 in Franchise 500 for 2020
    #1 in Franchise 500 for 2021