Carl's Jr vs Woody's Chicago Style Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
Investment $1,603,000 - $2,168,000$58,600 - $394,000
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000N/A
Royalty Fee 4%6%
Advertising Fee 6%-
Year Founded 19451990
Year Franchised 19841991
Term Of Agreement 20 years5 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years5 years
Renewal Fee Varies$2K


Business Experience Requirements

 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Preferable operational experience in a restaurant, but will consider people who have owned their own business

  • General business experience

  • Financing Options

     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/NoNo/Yes
    Start-up Costs No/NoNo/Yes
    Equipment No/NoNo/Yes
    Inventory No/NoNo/Yes
    Receivables No/NoNo/Yes
    Payroll No/NoNo/Yes

    Training & Support

     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
    Training Available at franchisee's location, 12 weeks of management training & at grand opening-
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesNewsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Security/safety procedures, Field operations/evaluations
    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.

    6% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 1 - 3

    Absentee ownership of franchise is NOT allowed. (95% of current franchisees are owner/operators)


    Expansion Plans

     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Woody's Chicago Style Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    Canada Expansion NoNo
    International Expansion YesNo

    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 Woody's Chicago Style

    Woody's has many types of operation: Class A Franchise *Propane or electric format *Highly mobile *Operates without on-site utilities *Moderate to high volume *Trailer included Class B Franchise *High volume capacity *Greater presence *Propane or electric format *Limited Mobility *Trailer included Class C Franchise *Limited mobile format *220V, 40 amp power requirement *Fully self-contained *Established product line *Fully automatic equipment Class D Franchise: In-Line Store. Class D Twin Carts. Class D Kiosk. Class D Stand Alone. Class E Franchise: *Class A cart package included *Operates without on-site utilities *High volume capabilities *Additional specialized training included *Cart transport trailer included *Additional optional equipment available. Class K Kiosk Franchise was developed to accommodate the ever evolving mobile food service industry. This program enables a Franchisee to be open year round during some of the most extreme weather. This fully enclosed, self-contained kiosk unit is still considered a mobile unit, but is adaptable to municipalities that are looking for more of a permanent structure and less mobile. It can be customized to fit many code directed specifications of various deemed health departments or local code enforcement agencies. The kiosk allows vendors to offer a broader menu, and can accommodate more storage and cooking space than the traditional class A, B and C franchises, which in turn allows access to locations where foot traffic is more prevalent.