Carl's Jr. vs Wendy's
Franchise Comparison 2026
Both Carl's Jr. and Wendy's are quick-service restaurants franchises. Carl's Jr. requires an investment of $1.5M – $3.2M while Wendy's requires $1.6M – $3.1M. In terms of revenue, Wendy's reports higher average unit revenue at $2.0M. Wendy's has SBA lending data on file with a 0.8% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Carl's Jr. B (Above average) and Wendy's A (Strongest tier).
| Metric | Carl's Jr. | Wendy's |
|---|---|---|
| Verdict Grade | BAbove average | AStrongest tier |
| Investment Range | $1.5M – $3.2M | $1.6M – $3.1M |
| Franchise Fee | $25K | $50K |
| Royalty Rate | 4.0% | 4.0% |
| Average Revenue (Item 19) | $1.4M | $2.0M |
| SBA Charge-Off Rate | Limited data | 0.8% (200 loans) |
| Total Units | 1,063 | 5,969 |
| Unit Growth (YoY) | -6 units | -6 units |
| Year Began Franchising | 1984 | 1971 |
| FDD Year | 2024 | 2026 |
Investment Range
$1.5M – $3.2M
$1.6M – $3.1M
Franchise Fee
$25K
$50K
Royalty Rate
4.0%
4.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)
$1.4M
$2.0M
SBA Charge-Off Rate
Limited data
0.8% (200 loans)
Total Units
1,063
5,969
Unit Growth (YoY)
-6 units
-6 units
Year Began Franchising
1984
1971
FDD Year
2024
2026