Franchise Facts Report → compare → Carl's Jr vs Blaze Pizza
Carl's Jr vs Blaze Pizza
Two quick-service restaurant franchises, compared on the numbers their own Franchise Disclosure Documents put on record — investment, fees, Item 19 earnings, outlet churn, and litigation. Not marketing copy.
| Carl's Jr | Blaze Pizza | |
|---|---|---|
| Total initial investment FDD Item 7 | $1,486,000 – $3,176,500 | $757,000 – $1,297,100 |
| Initial franchise fee FDD Item 5 | $25,000 | $30,000 |
| Royalty FDD Item 6 | 4% | 3% |
| Item 19 earnings disclosed FDD Item 19 | Yes | Yes |
| Avg unit revenue (headline) FDD Item 19 | $1,373,117 | disclosed (not machine-read) |
| Franchised outlets FDD Item 20 | 982 | 230 |
| Net outlet change (latest yr) FDD Item 20 | -32 | -25 |
| Closure rate FDD Item 20 | 2.9% | 7.8% |
| Franchisee lawsuits FDD Item 3 | 4 | 1 |
| Risk level our read | High | Medium |
| FDD year registration | 2025 | 2026 |
Are Carl's Jr and Blaze Pizza the same company?
No — Carl's Jr and Blaze Pizza are franchised by separate companies. Carl's Jr's franchisor is CARL'S JR. RESTAURANTS LLC; Blaze Pizza's is Blaze Pizza, LLC. Each registers and files its own Franchise Disclosure Document, and you would be signing with a different entity depending on which you chose. Note that a registry filing names the franchisor, not necessarily its ultimate parent — two brands owned by the same parent company can still have separate franchisors.
Cost to open
Blaze Pizza is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $757,000 – $1,297,100, against $1,486,000 – $3,176,500 for Carl's Jr.
How much does each make? (Item 19)
Both franchisors make an Item 19 financial performance representation — the detailed figures are in each brand's FDD (Item 19).
Closures & failure rate
Carl's Jr reports 982 franchised outlets, net change -32 in the latest reported year, a 2.9% closure rate (FDD Item 20). Blaze Pizza reports 230 franchised outlets, net change -25 in the latest reported year, a 7.8% closure rate (FDD Item 20). Outlet churn — closures, terminations, non-renewals — is the closest thing an FDD has to a failure rate.
Litigation
Carl's Jr discloses 4 franchisee-vs-franchisor proceedings in FDD Item 3. Blaze Pizza discloses 1 franchisee-vs-franchisor proceeding in FDD Item 3.
Deciding between Carl's Jr and Blaze Pizza?
See what else fits before you choose. Tell us your budget and state and we'll send you the 5–10 quick-service restaurant franchises (or any industries you pick) with the strongest FDD record for it.
Carl's Jr vs Blaze Pizza — frequently asked
Are Carl's Jr and Blaze Pizza the same company?
No — Carl's Jr and Blaze Pizza are franchised by separate companies. Carl's Jr's franchisor is CARL'S JR. RESTAURANTS LLC; Blaze Pizza's is Blaze Pizza, LLC. Each registers and files its own Franchise Disclosure Document, and you would be signing with a different entity depending on which you chose. Note that a registry filing names the franchisor, not necessarily its ultimate parent — two brands owned by the same parent company can still have separate franchisors.
What is the difference between Carl's Jr and Blaze Pizza?
Carl's Jr and Blaze Pizza are quick-service restaurant franchises from different franchisors (CARL'S JR. RESTAURANTS LLC and Blaze Pizza, LLC). Blaze Pizza is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $757,000 – $1,297,100, against $1,486,000 – $3,176,500 for Carl's Jr. Both franchisors make an Item 19 financial performance representation — the detailed figures are in each brand's FDD (Item 19).
Is Carl's Jr more profitable than Blaze Pizza?
Both franchisors make an Item 19 financial performance representation — the detailed figures are in each brand's FDD (Item 19).
Which is cheaper to open — Carl's Jr or Blaze Pizza?
Blaze Pizza is the cheaper franchise to open: its FDD Item 7 puts the total initial investment at $757,000 – $1,297,100, against $1,486,000 – $3,176,500 for Carl's Jr.
Is Carl's Jr or Blaze Pizza growing faster?
Carl's Jr reports 982 franchised outlets, net change -32 in the latest reported year, a 2.9% closure rate (FDD Item 20). Blaze Pizza reports 230 franchised outlets, net change -25 in the latest reported year, a 7.8% closure rate (FDD Item 20).
Go deeper on each brand
Quick-service restaurant rankings
Figures are as disclosed in each brand's most recent registered FDD (Carl's Jr 2025, Blaze Pizza 2026). “—” means the FDD does not disclose it or the table did not parse cleanly — never an estimate.