Carl's Jr vs Kelly's Cajun Grill Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees

 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Kelly's Cajun Grill Franchise
Investment $1,603,000 - $2,168,000$230,500 - $414,500
Franchise Fee $25,000 - $35,000$30,000
Royalty Fee 4%-
Advertising Fee 6%-
Year Founded 1945-
Year Franchised 1984-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Term Of Agreement 20 years-
Renewal Fee Varies-


Business Experience Requirements

 
Carl's Jr Franchise
Kelly's Cajun Grill 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
    Kelly's Cajun Grill Franchise
      In-House/3rd PartyIn-House/3rd Party
    Franchise Fees No/No-/-
    Start-up Costs No/No-/-
    Equipment No/No-/-
    Inventory No/No-/-
    Receivables No/No-/-
    Payroll No/No-/-

    Training & Support

     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Kelly's Cajun Grill 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 cooperatives-
    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.

    -

    Expansion Plans

     
    Carl's Jr Franchise
    Kelly's Cajun Grill Franchise
    US Expansion Yes-
    Canada Expansion No-
    International Expansion Yes-

    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 Kelly's Cajun Grill

    In 1991, Kelly’s Cajun Grill became the home of the World Famous Bourbon Chicken when it opened its first restaurant in the Sawgrass Mills Mall in Sunrise, Florida. The delicious food and innovative concept fueled the company’s rapid expansion, even surpassing all of IRMG’s other concepts combined. Kelly’s Cajun Grill is a proven concept with an excellent track record. The operations are very streamlined and the restaurants are capable of producing very high sales volumes with a very limited amount of space. Our world famous Bourbon Chicken is a delicious yet healthy dish made with fresh grilled chicken and our own special blend of sauces and seasonings. Other favorites include Blackened Chicken, Blackened Fish, Shrimp Etouffee, Cajun Spicy Chicken, as well as a variety of delicious side dishes.