Carl's Jr vs Fit for Life Franchise Comparison

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

Start-Up Costs and Fees
	Carl's Jr Franchise	Fit for Life Franchise
Investment	$1,603,000 - $2,168,000	$180,000 - And Up
Franchise Fee	$25,000 - $35,000	N/A
Royalty Fee	4%	7%
Advertising Fee	6%	0%
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	Fit for Life 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	Fit for Life Franchise
	In-House/3rd Party	In-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	Fit for Life 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	At Fit for Life, we fully understand the needs of a Franchisee "Business Person" and further understand that change in the business environment is constant and indeed needed. Fit for Life Head Office personnel are available on an ongoing basis to aid and assist in all levels of management for the benefit of the Franchisee.
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	Fit for Life 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.

#202 in Franchise 500 for 2021.

About Fit for Life

Fit for Life is a fast food concept catering to the health and nutrition conscious consumer. The menu focuses primarily on nutrition developed around the Wrap sandwich prepared with organically made bread, with no chemicals or preservatives. The Fit for Life menu items are endorsed by the Heart and Stroke Foundation and have earned an excellent reputation through many satisfied customers. The Fit for Life franchise is protected under federal and provincial trademark laws. It offers an exciting and outstanding opportunity to become part of a highly successful and rapidly growing fast food industry. Fit for Life's unique concept responds to the increasing consumers demand for a high quality nutritious product provided in an attractive, efficient format.