Overall costs for Carlu2019s Jr. run anywhere from $1,447,000 to $1,944,500. See how the costs break down and what funding options might be right for your new venture into the franchise foray.
Estimated initial costs
Our cost estimates are accurate as of 2021 from Franchise Direct and include opening fees and expenses only. The location you choose for your Carlu2019s Jr. franchise may result in higher or lower fees.
Franchise fees
Carlu2019s Jr. franchise fees total around $25,000, which beats out the $37,000 average for the 200 largest franchises nationwide.
| Initial franchise fee |
$15,000 to $35,000 |
| Royalty |
4% of Gross Sales. |
| Estimated total |
$15,000 to $35,000 |
Equipment fees
Equipment fees total $536,000 for Carlu2019s Jr.. This costs more than the $180,023 average for the top 200 franchises.
| Equipment |
$357,000 to $410,000 |
| Signage |
$75,000 to $110,000 |
| Point-of-sale system |
$35,000 to $45,000 |
| GB equipment |
$8,000 to $13,000 |
| Exterior GB signage |
$5,000 to $14,000 |
| Estimated total |
$480,000 to $592,000 |
Real estate fees
Real estate will set you back $959,250 for Carlu2019s Jr., which is more expensive than the average of $788,376 for the top 200 franchises.
| Real property |
Variable to |
| Building |
$575,000 to $665,000 |
| Site improvements |
$250,000 to $415,000 |
| GB construction and improvements |
$4,500 to $9,000 |
| Estimated total |
$829,500 to $1,089,000 |
Training fees
Carlu2019s Jr. initial training costs total $50,000 — more than the nationwide average of $9,788.
| Opening training support team free |
$0 to $10,000 |
| Initial training |
$20,000 to $60,000 |
| GB initial training |
$0 to $10,000 |
| Estimated total |
$20,000 to $80,000 |
Inventory costs
Initial inventory for Carlu2019s Jr. shakes out to $1,600. This is less than the nationwide average of $53,119.
| GB opening inventory |
$1,500 to $1,700 |
| Estimated total |
$1,500 to $1,700 |
Other expenses
Miscellaneous expenses for Carlu2019s Jr. total $123,900 — more than the nationwide average of $69,970.
| Soft costs |
$90,000 to $120,000 |
| Pre-opening costs |
$8,000 to $23,000 |
| GB miscellaneous opening costs |
$3,000 to $3,800 |
| Estimated total |
$101,000 to $146,800 |
All costs were found using the 200 largest franchises nationwide using Franchise Direct's list of more than 300 franchises, and are accurate as of 2021.
How to finance
Since the estimated total for Carlu2019s Jr. is on the more costly side, we recommend following these steps to get fully financed:
- Go to the Carlu2019s Jr. franchising website and review its financial requirements, including cash-on-hand requirements.
- Reach out to Carlu2019s Jr. about in-house financing for franchisees.
- If in-house financing isn't available, look for online loans, bank loans and SBA loans to help meet the $1,695,750 estimated opening costs.
- Compare lenders based on amounts, interest rates and what types of personal and business credit history they accept.
- Once you settle on a lender, gather all required documents, including account statements and assets.
- Apply for financing online or in person as required by the lender.
What types of financing is available?
You have several options when it comes to financing a Carlu2019s Jr. — even if the cost is on the heavier side. What assets you have available will largely determine how much you need to borrow, and which option suits you best.
- Online loan. A number of online business lenders offer amounts up to $1 million, with some extending up to $5 million.
- Bank loan. Your personal credit will typically need to at least be good — 670 or higher — when it comes to getting a bank loan large enough to cover a significant portion of Carlu2019s Jr. opening costs.
- SBA loan. While your personal credit score doesn't need to be as good to qualify for an SBA loan, they usually cost more than standard term loans from banks or online lenders.
Also check if Carlu2019s Jr. franchise financing is available. You may be able to get some of the costs covered for less than you would with other traditional funding options.
Compare small business lenders
You may not need financing to cover the estimated $1,447,000. But if you need funds for other business ventures, select the loan amount, your time in business and revenue and your personal credit score to compare a selection of lenders.
How Carlu2019s Jr. stacks up
Compare how Carlu2019s Jr. holds up against two similarly sized franchises.
| Average Franchise fees |
$98,000 |
$25,000 |
$50,000 |
| Average Equipment fees |
$28,500 |
$536,000 |
$540,000 |
| Average Real estate fees |
$25,000 |
$959,250 |
$1,712,500 |
| Average Training fees |
$2,500 |
$50,000 |
$155,000 |
| Average Inventory fees |
NA |
$1,600 |
$14,000 |
| Average Marketing fees |
$75,000 |
NA |
$7,500 |
| Average Licenses and permits fees |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| Average Insurance fees |
NA |
NA |
NA |
| Average Admin fees |
$11,000 |
NA |
NA |
| Average Personnel fees |
NA |
NA |
$82,500 |
| Average Other fees |
$60,000 |
$123,900 |
$429,500 |
Bottom line
Carlu2019s Jr. franchise costs run a total of $1,695,750. Before you decide to become a franchisee, compare the total costs against industry averages. And to learn more about financing
read our guide to franchise financing.
