Carl's Jr vs East Coast Wings Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Carl's Jr Franchise
East Coast Wings Franchise
Investment $1,603,000 - $2,168,000$661,375 - $1,098,570
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000$40,000
Royalty Fee 4%5%
Advertising Fee 6%2%
Year Founded 19451995
Year Franchised 19842004
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Term Of Agreement 20 years10 years
Renewal Fee Varies25% of then current fee


Business Experience Requirements

 
Carl's Jr Franchise
East Coast Wings 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

     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    East Coast Wings 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/No
    Payroll No/NoNo/No

    Training & Support

     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    East Coast Wings Franchise
    Training Available at franchisee's location, 12 weeks of management training & at grand opening On-The-Job Training: 240 hours Classroom Training: 48 hours
    Support Newsletter, Meetings, Toll-free phone line, Grand opening, Internet, Field operations/evaluations, Purchasing cooperativesPurchasing Co-ops Newsletter Meetings/Conventions Toll-Free Line Grand Opening Online Support Security/Safety Procedures Field Operations Site Selection Franchisee Intranet Platform
    Marketing Co-op advertising, Ad slicks, National media, Regional advertisingCo-op Advertising Ad Templates Regional Advertising Social media SEO Website development Email marketing 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.

    Absentee Ownership Allowed

    Number of Employees Required to Run: 25 - 50


    Expansion Plans

     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    East Coast Wings Franchise
    US Expansion YesYes
    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 East Coast Wings

    East Coast Wings & Grill is a casual dining full service and counter service restaurant with an emphasis of buffalo style wings. East Coast Wings was originally founded in 1995. In 2000, Steve G. Kontos bought the concept, and in 2002, Sam G. Ballas joined with him, and re-organized it to what today's patrons know as "East Coast Wings & Grill".
    With their 46 years of combined restaurant experience, East Coast Wings & Grill has become a local favorite in all markets the brand has entered.
     National Winner 1st place - Traditional hot sauce and 2nd place - creative spicy
     Our famous wings have consistently won, "Best Wings" in most all markets entered. And to boot, our brand has a very diversified menu: with our overstuffed sandwiches, super salads, deli style specialties and taste-tempting appetizers.
    Unique to East Coast Wings & Grill is our over 75 different flavors and 675 combinations of wings - Teriyaki Ginger Garlic, Honey Barbeque, Mango Habanero, Jamaican Jerk, Blue Cheese, Honey Mustard, Bourbon Street, Kickin' Thai, Cajun and many more.
    Our infamous Buffalo Shrimp, which is available in our 75 flavors, 9 heat indexes and 675 combinations, has quickly become the next best thing to our famous wings.

    Veteran Incentives  $5,000 off franchise fee