Should I Open or Buy a Harvey's Franchise in 2027?
Only if you want to operate in Canada, and only if you can fund it. Harvey's is a Canadian burger chain, and its official franchising pages describe opportunities across Canada only. They do not mention any other country, so this is not an option for a US or overseas location.
The published entry cost is steep: Harvey's says the total investment starts at $800,000, including a minimum cash contribution starting from $250,000, plus a 5% royalty on gross sales and a 4% contribution to the National Advertising Fund. The official pages describe opening a new restaurant, a conversion or a non-traditional site. They say nothing about buying an existing restaurant, so ask the franchising team directly if resale is what you want.
This page is not financial or legal advice. Get the Franchise Disclosure Document and have a franchise lawyer and accountant review it before you commit.
Where Harvey's franchises are available
Harvey's opened on April 1, 1959, in Richmond Hill, Ontario, according to Wikipedia, which describes a chain operating in Canada with locations in every province except British Columbia. The official franchising page lists 290+ restaurants across Canada and describes the brand as Canada's most beloved QSR brand.
The franchise pages talk about "any Canadian market" and "locations across Canada" and never name another country. If you live outside Canada, the published information does not show a path to a Harvey's franchise, and you should confirm with the franchising team before planning around it.
Who owns Harvey's and who you would be signing with
The official site carries a trademark notice naming Recipe Unlimited Corporation, and the franchising page says franchise partners are supported by the infrastructure of the Recipe Restaurant Group. Wikipedia states that the chain is owned by Recipe Unlimited, previously known as Cara Operations.
Recipe's annual information form%20(2021).pdf) (dated March 25, 2021, with data as of December 27, 2020) says Recipe had a portfolio of 25 brands and 1,341 restaurants, of which 84% were operated by franchisees or as a joint venture. Its table lists Harvey's at 292 restaurants: 283 franchise and 9 corporate. That filing is several years old, so treat the counts as history, not today's numbers. The official page's current figure is 290+.
What it costs: the published numbers
Everything below is from Harvey's own franchising FAQ. Investment levels vary by concept and location.
- Total investmentStarts at $800,000
- Minimum cash contributionStarting from $250,000
- Royalty5% of gross sales
- National Advertising Fund4% contribution
- Franchise feeNot published on the official pages
Pre-opening costs come on top of site work, and the FAQ lists examples: initial inventory and smallwares, hiring and training staff, local marketing and grand opening promotion, utility deposits and setup fees, and pre-opening rent. The full breakdown of expected pre-opening costs is in the Franchise Disclosure Document, which Harvey's does not publish online. Third-party listings quote different ranges, so do not rely on them over the FDD.
Open new, convert or go non-traditional
Harvey's franchise investments page lists three formats, and the format you pick shapes the cost:
- New build. Build from the ground up with a layout tailored for visibility, efficiency and growth.
- Conversion. Transform an existing space into a Harvey's, which the page says brings faster setup, lower construction costs and proven location potential.
- Non-traditional. A compact footprint in high-traffic hubs such as malls, gas stations, airports or campuses.
The pages offer these as ways to open a restaurant. A "conversion" is of a space, such as a different restaurant or retail unit, and is not the same thing as buying a running Harvey's from its current owner. The official pages do not describe that resale route.
How the process and timeline work
Per the FAQ: you submit an inquiry, and the franchising team says it will reach out within 2 business days. Discovery and approval typically take four to seven weeks. Depending on your province or territory, a mandatory 2-week Franchise Disclosure Period may apply. After approval comes site selection and development, and that stage depends on how many viable sites are available in your market.
Harvey's says hospitality experience helps but is not a requirement. Its training covers operations, menu knowledge, staffing, scheduling, inventory, financial oversight and food safety, with hands-on restaurant time and online modules. The official page says its team helps with site selection and the build, and that dedicated Business Development Managers provide field support.
Questions to settle before you say yes
- Which market, and is a site actually available? The FAQ says the company is looking in both major urban centres and smaller communities and points to a list of available markets.
- What do existing owners earn? No earnings figures are published on the official pages. Ask for the FDD and speak with current franchisees.
- What is the full cost? Only the starting investment, cash requirement and ongoing fees are published. The pre-opening breakdown sits in the FDD.
- Resale or new? Ask Harvey's whether any existing restaurants are available to buy, since the official pages cover only new openings.
- Can you run it? The FAQ says successful partners start hands-on, especially early on. Plan to be in the restaurant.
Questions people ask
Can I open a Harvey's franchise in the United States?
The official Harvey's franchising pages describe opportunities across Canada only and do not mention the United States or any other country. Wikipedia also describes the chain as operating in Canada. Confirm with the franchising team if you are outside Canada.
How much does a Harvey's franchise cost?
Harvey's says the total investment for opening a restaurant in Canada starts at $800,000, with a minimum cash contribution starting from $250,000. Ongoing fees are a 5% royalty on gross sales and a 4% National Advertising Fund contribution. The franchise fee itself is not published. Source: Harvey's franchising FAQ.
Can I buy an existing Harvey's restaurant?
The official franchising pages describe new builds, conversions and non-traditional sites and do not describe buying an existing restaurant. Ask the franchising team whether any are for sale.
Do I need restaurant experience?
No. Harvey's says hospitality experience can be helpful but is not a requirement, and it provides a training program. Source: FAQ.
How long does it take to get approved?
Harvey's says discovery and approval typically take four to seven weeks from your inquiry, and a mandatory 2-week Franchise Disclosure Period may apply depending on your province or territory. Site selection and building take extra time.
Who owns Harvey's?
Harvey's is owned by Recipe Unlimited, previously Cara Operations, per Wikipedia, and the official site carries a Recipe Unlimited Corporation trademark notice.
Sources
- Harvey's: Franchising with Harvey's · Brand overview, 290+ restaurants across Canada, support
- Harvey's: Franchise investments · New build, conversion and non-traditional formats
- Harvey's: Franchising FAQ · Investment, cash requirement, royalty, ad fund, timeline, training
- Wikipedia: Harvey's · Founding, ownership, where the chain operates
- Recipe Unlimited annual information form (2021) · Harvey's restaurant count at December 27, 2020, franchised share
Figures were read from the linked pages on November 9, 2026. Fees and investment levels can change, and the Franchise Disclosure Document is the document to rely on. This is not financial or legal advice.
Top photo: Gabriel Picard / CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons