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Carl's Jr.
Food & Beverage · Burgers & Fries
Description
What is Carl's Jr.?
What sets Carl's Jr. apart is their commitment to delivering 'premium fast food' – serving restaurant-quality burgers in a quick-service environment. Their signature charbroiled patties, made from 100% Angus beef, are complemented by fresh, quality ingredients and unique flavor combinations that elevate the traditional fast-food experience. From their famous Western Bacon Cheeseburger to innovative offerings like their Guacamole Burger, Carl's Jr. continues to push culinary boundaries while maintaining consistent quality.
The brand's modern restaurant designs, typically featuring contemporary architecture and comfortable dining areas, create an inviting atmosphere that appeals to a broad customer base. Their locations are strategically positioned in high-traffic areas, from urban centers to highway stops, making them accessible to both daily commuters and travelers.
For potential franchisees, Carl's Jr. offers a proven business model backed by decades of operational excellence and brand recognition. The franchise provides comprehensive training programs, marketing support, and ongoing operational guidance to help ensure success. With a focus on innovation and quality, Carl's Jr. continues to adapt to changing consumer preferences while maintaining its position as a leader in the premium fast-food segment.
- Premium burger brand recognition
- 1,068+ proven operating locations
- Above-average revenue performance metrics
- Established western market presence
- Comprehensive operational support system
- Menu innovation and customization focus
Location Analysis
Where Carl's Jr. wins
The franchise's concentration in Western states presents both advantages and opportunities. The established presence in California and Arizona provides strong brand recognition and operational synergies, while emerging markets like New Mexico, Oregon, and Oklahoma offer expansion potential. The brand maintains a developing presence in Nevada, while Idaho, Utah, and Missouri represent markets with growth opportunity, indicating room for strategic expansion in these regions.
Ideal locations typically feature high-traffic areas with strong daytime population, proximity to commercial districts or highways, and demographics aligned with quick-service dining preferences. The most successful units are often situated in areas with median household incomes between $45,000-$75,000 and strong lunch crowd potential. Prospective franchisees should focus on underserved markets within existing territories, particularly in states with limited presence, while maintaining operational efficiency through existing supply chains.
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Financial Analysis
The numbers behind Carl's Jr.
The fast-casual burger segment faces intensifying competition but benefits from consumer demand for premium burger experiences. Carl's Jr.'s 1,068 units demonstrate substantial system maturity and operational expertise, providing franchisees with proven business models and established supply chains. The brand's gross revenue of $1.44M exceeds sub-sector averages by approximately 14%, indicating strong unit-level performance potential.
Ideal investors should possess $1M+ liquid capital and restaurant industry experience, given the operational complexity of full-service kitchen operations. The brand's western U.S. concentration suggests expansion opportunities in underserved markets, though territory availability varies significantly. Multi-unit development potential exists for qualified operators seeking portfolio growth.
Key considerations include labor-intensive operations, commodity price sensitivity, and evolving consumer preferences toward healthier options. The franchise's established brand recognition and menu innovation capabilities provide competitive advantages, though success depends heavily on location selection, operational execution, and local market dynamics. Prospective investors should thoroughly review the FDD and conduct comprehensive market analysis.
Financing partners
Vetted partners, tailored to franchisees
Your Franzy advisor can connect you with these partners later in the process — competitive rates, specialized in franchise financing.
FranFund
CRF USA
Nonprofit SBA lender; provides financing for franchise acquisitions, startups, and expansion.
First Bank of the Lake
Pension Pros
FDD Item 7
Initial investment range
Per FDD Item 7, total initial investment ranges from $1,303,000 to $3,436,000. The midpoint $2,369,500 is what most franchisees report at signing — financing typically reduces cash-at-close by 80–90%. Knowing the investment range helps you plan confidently and ensure you're fully prepared to make the leap.
FDD Item 19
Average gross sales
According to Item 19 of the Franchise Disclosure Document, Carl's Jr. has an average gross revenue of $1M. (Note: This information is based on the latest FDD in our records. Please review the Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) and confirm this information directly with the brand. We make no claims of accuracy for the information presented.)
Growth over time
Franchise footprint
2024 Franchise Disclosure
FDD documents
Below are items 2, 3, 4, 7, 11 and 19 for Carl's Jr.'s 2024 FDD. The complete FDD is delivered to you directly by the franchisor, per the FTC Franchise Rule.
Connect to download Items 2, 3, 4, and 11 — direct from the franchisor.
Buyer FAQs
Frequently asked questions
The initial investment for a Carl's Jr. franchise typically ranges between $1,303,000.00 and $3,436,000.00. This includes the franchise fee, equipment, real estate, and other startup costs. To get a detailed breakdown and better understand the financial requirements, we recommend scheduling a call with the Franzy team. We'll walk you through the specifics and answer any questions you might have. For more detailed information, refer to the financial sections of the FDD.
Disclaimer. The information provided on this page is based on the latest Franchise Disclosure Document (FDD) that is publicly available and that we have on record, which was issued in 2024. This information is for informational purposes only and is not intended to constitute legal, financial, or business advice. We make no guarantees or claims regarding the completeness or accuracy. For the most current and detailed information, we recommend consulting the franchisor directly for the most recent FDD and regarding any questions that you may have about the information provided.
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