HARDEE'S (AA)
Hardee’s Restaurants LLC is a franchisor of quick-service restaurants operating under the Hardee’s brand, offering a limited menu of breakfast, lunch, and dinner products featuring charbroiled 100% Black Angus Thickburger sandwiches, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders, Made from Scratch Biscuits, and other related quick-serve menu items. The business model centers on granting franchises for traditional single-tenant locations, with options for single-unit or multi-unit development agreements, and also selling certain company-operated restaurants to franchisees. It targets consumers seeking affordable, fast-casual dining options in the competitive quick-service restaurant industry.
Disclaimer: This information was extracted using AI from public Franchise Disclosure Documents and should be independently verified. This is not financial or legal advice. Always review official FDD filings before making investment decisions.
Overview
Financial Requirements
4% royalty + 4.25% national ad fund + $188-$463/mo technology and software fees
Franchise Stats
Financial Performance
Item 19 Financial Performance
Data Based On: 1,398 freestanding Hardee's Restaurants (1,208 franchised, 190 company-operated) open for the entire 53 week time period of January 30, 2024 to January 27, 2025 (FY25 Period).
* All data extracted directly from the 'Average Revenue FY25 Franchised Hardee's Freestanding Restaurants' table on page 1. No calculations were required for average or median revenue. No expense or profit data was provided to estimate profit ranges or other profit metrics.
Extracted Item 19 Section
How HARDEE'S (AA) Compares to Other Fast Food Franchises
Key Insights
- Higher investment than 89% of Fast Food franchises
- Lower than average SBA loan default rate in Fast Food
| Franchise | Investment Range | Franchise Fee | Royalty | Locations |
|---|---|---|---|---|
HARDEE'S (AA) Current | $1.4M - $2.6M | $25K | 4.0% | 1,369 |
| Burger King | $2.1M - $4.7M | $50K | 4.5% | 19,732 |
| MCDONALD'S | $1.5M - $2.6M | $45K | N/A | 12,772 |
| AFC | $45K - $151K | $6K | 9.5% | 3,572 |
| SONIC DRIVE-IN | $1.7M - $3.1M | $15K | 5.0% | 3,441 |
| JIMMY JOHN'S | $366K - $728K | $35K | 6.0% | 2,647 |
Fast Food Average 127 franchises | $605K - $1.5M | $35K | 6.1% | - |
* Comparison based on latest FDD filings. Investment ranges from Item 7, fees from Item 5. Showing top 5 of 127 Fast Food franchises by location count.
Locations & Growth
Outlet Growth Over Time
Total outlets at end of each year
Geographic Distribution (2025)
Outlets by state across the United States
+16 more states
SBA Loan History
Historical SBA 7(a) loan data for HARDEE'S (AA) franchisees (2016 - 2025)
Loans by Year
* Data sourced from SBA 7(a) FOIA loan records. Default rate calculated from charged-off loans.
Franchisee Contacts
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Due Diligence
Litigation (Item 3)
Pending termination disputes and breach of contract/sublease claims with franchisees.
Bankruptcy (Item 4)
No bankruptcy history reported in the FDD.
System Health (Item 20)
Franchise system changes reported in the most recent fiscal year
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to open a HARDEE'S (AA) franchise?
The total initial investment to open a HARDEE'S (AA) franchise ranges from $1,375,000 to $2,637,395. This includes a franchise fee of $25,000. Ongoing royalty fees are 4.0% of gross sales.
How much revenue does a HARDEE'S (AA) franchise make?
According to the 2025 FDD, the average gross revenue for a HARDEE'S (AA) franchise is $1,288,025. The median revenue is $1,238,549.
How many HARDEE'S (AA) franchise locations are there?
As of the 2025 FDD, HARDEE'S (AA) has 1,369 franchise locations. The company has been franchising since 1961.
Can you get an SBA loan for a HARDEE'S (AA) franchise?
Yes, SBA loans are available for HARDEE'S (AA) franchises. Historical data shows 7 SBA 7(a) loans have been approved for HARDEE'S (AA) franchisees, with an average loan amount of $1,760,129. The historical default rate is 14.3%.
Is HARDEE'S (AA) a good franchise to buy?
HARDEE'S (AA) shows several positive indicators: established brand with 1,369+ locations, transparent financial performance data (Item 19). However, franchise success depends on many factors including location, local market conditions, and owner involvement. We recommend speaking with existing franchisees and consulting with a franchise attorney before making a decision.
Interested in HARDEE'S (AA)?
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