Carl's Jr vs Farmer Boys Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Farmer Boys Franchise
Investment $1,603,000 - $2,168,000$1,042,500 - $2,486,500
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000$45,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 6%3%
Year Founded 19451981
Year Franchised 19841997
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years20 years
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements
 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Farmer Boys Franchise
Experience
  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
  • Preferable operational experience in a restaurant, but will consider people who have owned their own business

  • Industry experience
  • General business experience
    		•

    Financing Options
     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Farmer Boys 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/No
    Receivables No/NoNo/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support
     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Farmer Boys Franchise
    Training Available at franchisee's location, 12 weeks of management training & at grand openingOn-The-Job Training: 480 hours Classroom Training: 60 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Proprietary Software Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertising Co-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Loyalty program/app
    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.

    		 20% of all franchisees own more than one unit

    Number of employees needed to run franchised unit: 30

    Absentee ownership of franchise is allowed. (100% of current franchisees are owner/operators)

    Expansion Plans
     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Farmer Boys 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 Farmer Boys

    During the 1970s, brothers Makis and Chris Havadjias worked in restaurants to earn money for college. They helped the owners of one of those restaurants rebuild the establishment, and later bought it. With the experience they gained at that first restaurant, the brothers bought a poorly performing restaurant in Perris, California, that they built into Farmer Boys. With the help of their three other brothers, the Havadjias expanded Farmer Boys throughout Riverside and San Bernardino counties in Southern California. Each location serves hamburgers, sandwiches, salads and a full breakfast menu. The company began franchising in 1998.

    #128 in Franchise 500 for 2021. Not ranked in 2020.