How does a College Hunks Hauling Junk franchise get from inquiry to opening?
The disclosed path is candidate review, FDD review, Franchise Agreement execution, Zone and Office setup, equipment and licensing, mandatory training, then franchisor sign-off. The estimate is not a promise: the Franchise Agreement requires operation to begin within 150 days after execution, while permitting, vehicle delivery, site acceptance, and training can control the actual date.
- Legal franchisor
- CHHJ Franchising L.L.C.
- Disclosure basis
- 2026 Franchise Disclosure Document, issued April 30, 2026
- Formats reviewed
- Standard junk-only, standard combined, small-market, and conversion franchises
- Timeline mode
- Official total timeline: disclosed estimate plus contractual outside deadline
- Primary evidence
- Items 1, 5–12, 15–17 and 20; Franchise Agreement §§5.3, 9.1–9.5 and Exhibits A, C and F
- Date checked
- July 16, 2026
The current official franchise FAQ says 90–120 days after signing, and the training page advertises a launch in as little as 70 days. The 2026 FDD instead estimates 110–140 days and the signed Franchise Agreement sets a 150-day deadline. Treat the web figures as promotional context, not contractual timing.
What must an applicant qualify for before signing?
The current official candidate screen lists at least $75,000 in liquid capital and $200,000 in net worth, leadership ability, team-management ability, and cultural fit; moving or hauling experience is not required. The official investment page presents these as screening criteria, not a promise of approval.
The contractual owner-role gate is more specific. Before signing, the applicant must identify a Managing Owner who will hold at least 51% of the franchisee entity, complete initial training, devote full time and best efforts, and personally supervise the business or use an approved trained manager. Owners holding more than 10% and active owners may have to sign the Principal Owner’s Guaranty; the ownership schedule is delivered through the Principal Owner’s Statement. The franchisor does not disclose a minimum credit score and does not offer or guarantee financing. Sources: 2026 FDD, Items 10 and 15, pp. 37 and 58–59; Franchise Agreement Exhibits C and F.
What is the actual sequence from inquiry to opening authorization?
The current website describes a four-to-eight-week discovery phase, but the contracts do not promise a fixed pre-signing duration or a separate legal “award” milestone. Keep inquiry, candidate qualification, approval discussions, FDD receipt, and contract execution distinct.
Enter candidate review
- Action:
- Complete the inquiry, introductory discussion, financial screen, and candidate interviews.
- Actor:
- Applicant and franchise development team.
- Timing:
- The official FAQ describes a 20-minute first call and a four-to-eight-week discovery process.
- Blocker:
- Failure to meet screening standards or obtain discretionary approval.
Select the concept and proposed Zone
- Action:
- Choose junk-only, combined, small-market, or conversion format and discuss available population-based Zones.
- Actor:
- Applicant proposes; CHHJ Franchising L.L.C. determines availability and acceptable configuration.
- Timing:
- No territory is guaranteed before executed documents.
- Next dependency:
- The exact zip codes and purchased concepts must appear in Franchise Agreement Exhibit A.
Receive and review the FDD
- Action:
- Review all 23 Items, state addenda, the Franchise Agreement, guaranty, ownership statement, and Zone exhibit.
- Actor:
- Applicant, with independent legal, accounting, lending, and real-estate professionals as needed.
- Timing:
- At least 14 calendar days before any binding agreement or covered payment.
- Blocker:
- Unresolved state addenda, ownership terms, or material contract changes.
Execute the governing documents
- Action:
- Form the franchisee entity, identify the Managing Owner, sign the Franchise Agreement and related exhibits, and pay the triggered initial fee.
- Actor:
- Approved applicant and required owners or guarantors.
- Timing:
- The signing date starts the 150-day opening deadline.
- Blocker:
- Incomplete ownership disclosures, guaranties, payment, or territory terms.
Secure an accepted Office
- Action:
- Find and submit an approximately 1,500-square-foot commercial office and warehouse inside the Designated Territory.
- Actor:
- Franchisee finds the site; franchisor accepts or rejects it.
- Timing:
- Response within 30 days after submission.
- Blocker:
- Cost, parking, bay-door access, lease term, address, location, zoning, or failure to secure space timely.
Build the operating platform
- Action:
- Acquire approved vehicles, wraps, equipment, software, communications, bookkeeping, insurance, permits, licenses, and required supplies.
- Actor:
- Franchisee coordinates approved suppliers, insurer, landlord, agencies, and other third parties.
- Timing:
- Complete before opening authorization.
- Blocker:
- Vehicle delivery, supplier approval, local licensing, inspections, or missing insurance certificates.
Complete training and prepare the team
- Action:
- The Managing Owner and one manager, maximum two included attendees, must complete the five-to-fifteen-day program satisfactorily.
- Actor:
- Franchisor trains initial attendees; franchisee hires and trains employees.
- Timing:
- The agreement says training will be offered within 90 days after execution.
- Blocker:
- Unsatisfactory completion, uncured qualification default, or an unapproved manager.
Pass the opening checklist
- Action:
- Show equipment and stocking compliance, paid amounts, insurance, permits, completed training, contract compliance, and required operating funds.
- Actor:
- Franchisee delivers evidence; franchisor determines readiness to its satisfaction.
- Timing:
- Open within 150 days unless a written discretionary extension is granted.
- Blocker:
- Any unmet checklist item; combined operators must make both concepts operational within 90 days after Commencement of Business.
Roadmap basis: 2026 FDD, Items 5, 8, 9, 11, 12 and 15; Franchise Agreement §§5.3, 9.1–9.5. The federal disclosure timing is explained in the FTC Franchise Rule Compliance Guide.
How do the official formats change what must be ready at opening?
The attached Franchise Agreement identifies the selected format on its cover. No Area Development Agreement is disclosed. Multiple Zones are documented through Exhibit A and later Zone amendments or additional Franchise Agreements, subject to approval.
| Official path | Zone or service rule | Opening asset | Decision point |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard junk-only | Standard Zone anticipated at 300,000–400,000 people | At least one approved junk truck | The moving concept may still be granted within the territory under reserved rights |
| Standard combined | Junk removal and moving treated as separate concepts | At least one junk truck and one moving truck | Both lines must be fully operational within 90 days after Commencement of Business |
| Small-market | Zone population from 5,000 to 299,999 | Vehicles for both required services | Junk removal and moving are both mandatory |
| Conversion | Existing similar junk or moving operator converts to the System | Existing vehicles and assets still require compliance and approval | No separate complete conversion timeline is disclosed |
Item 12 states that the Designated Territory is not exclusive, even though the current website uses “exclusive protected territory.” Exhibit A’s zip codes define each Zone; its map is only visual. A franchisor-accepted Office does not itself expand those rights, approve zoning, guarantee a lease, or eliminate the reserved channels and cross-concept exceptions. Review the current official territory page for market discussion, then verify the signed Exhibit A and reserved-rights clauses.
Which disclosed time periods control different stages?
Disclosed process clocks use different triggers
All values are days, but only the 110–140 range is the FDD’s opening estimate.
Interpretation: The 150-day bar is a contractual deadline, not an expected duration. The 14-day, 30-day, and 90-day periods begin from different events and should not be added to the 110–140-day estimate.
Sources: 2026 FDD cover and Item 11, pp. 42–43; Franchise Agreement §§5.3.1 and 9.2, pp. 10 and 30; 16 CFR §436.2. The FDD does not label the 30-day site response as business days.
What must be in place before the franchisor permits opening?
The Office must be commercial, dedicated to the franchised business, separate from a residence, inside the Designated Territory, and operational before the first revenue or service. CHHJ Franchising L.L.C. does not promise site-selection assistance; the franchisee remains responsible for securing the location. Source: 2026 FDD, Item 11, p. 42; Franchise Agreement §9.1.3.
A junk-only opening requires at least one approved junk truck; a combined opening requires one junk truck and one moving truck. Vehicles, wraps, equipment, technology, communications, approved software, ACUTE FS bookkeeping, insurance certificates, permits, licenses, and supplies must satisfy current System Standards. Local waste, vehicle, employment, zoning, and moving requirements vary; the FDD provides no national permit list. The main consumer brand can be verified at the official College Hunks Hauling Junk website.
Applicant or franchisee
- Choose the format and ownership entity.
- Find the Office and submit complete site information.
- Contract with suppliers, insurer, landlord, and workforce.
- Obtain permits, licenses, vehicles, equipment, and working resources.
- Complete training and every opening-checklist item.
Franchisor
- Determine candidate and format approval.
- Define purchased Zones in Exhibit A.
- Accept or reject the proposed Office.
- Provide the initial training program and operating standards.
- Determine whether opening conditions are satisfied.
Third parties
- Landlord delivers usable premises under the lease.
- Suppliers deliver compliant trucks, wraps, equipment, and systems.
- Insurer issues required coverage and certificates.
- Government authorities issue market-specific approvals.
- Lender decides financing independently; no franchisor guarantee applies.
Who must attend training, and what can happen if they do not qualify?
The Franchise Agreement requires the Managing Owner and one manager, maximum two included attendees, to complete a five-to-fifteen-day program to the franchisor’s satisfaction. It covers operations, management, marketing, dispatch, sales, technology, hiring, vehicle operations, field service, safety, and other System subjects; the disclosed curriculum totals 33 classroom hours and 68–136 onsite hours. Travel, lodging, meals, wages, and incidental expenses remain the franchisee’s responsibility.
The agreement says the program will be offered within 90 days after execution, while Item 11 summarizes training as provided before opening and within 120 days. Because the agreement governs, obtain the written training date and completion standard before scheduling the opening. A failure to complete training satisfactorily can create a qualification default; if termination follows, any initial-fee refund is conditional and reduced by disclosed broker commissions and training costs. Sources: 2026 FDD, Item 11, pp. 43–45; Franchise Agreement §§5.3.1–5.3.5.
Can the 150-day opening deadline be extended?
There is no automatic extension right. The franchisee must make a written request, show that the delay arose beyond its reasonable control, document due diligence, and supply evidence. The franchisor may extend the deadlinefor the period it considers appropriate in its sole discretion; ongoing fee obligations are not suspended merely because an extension is considered or granted. Source: Franchise Agreement §9.2, p. 30.
Permits, site delivery, insurance, and truck availability can delay readiness, but they do not automatically excuse late opening. Document submissions, agency correspondence, supplier dates, and mitigation efforts as they occur, then verify the extension process and consequences with qualified counsel before the deadline becomes critical.
What should a buyer verify before committing to the opening plan?
Population-based Zone discussions may reference current U.S. Census Bureau population estimates, but the Franchise Agreement allows the franchisor to select another population source. State-specific franchise registration or addendum issues must be checked with the applicable regulator and counsel.
What is the practical opening decision?
The verified path is candidate screening, FDD review, Franchise Agreement execution, Zone and Office setup, supplier and regulatory readiness, mandatory training, then the franchisor’s opening checklist. The total timeline is official: the 2026 FDD estimates 110–140 days after signing, while the contract requires opening within 150 days.
The most important applicant-controlled dependency is coordinating an accepted Office, compliant vehicle, licenses, insurance, training, staff, and operating resources on one schedule. The decisive franchisor or third-party dependencies are site acceptance, training availability and satisfactory completion, supplier delivery, and governmental approvals. Before signing, verify the exact Exhibit A territory, the controlling training calendar, the current opening checklist, and the written extension standard.
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