How long does it take to open a Hertz franchise, and what controls the process?
The opening path has three different clocks that should not be merged. The FTC’s franchise buyer guidance requires the FDD to be delivered at least 14 calendar days before you sign a binding franchise agreement or pay the franchisor or an affiliate. Hertz then sets a deal-specific Location Opening Date in Attachment A. Separately, the FDD gives estimated post-signing durations that do not replace that deadline.
What must you qualify for before Hertz approves a franchise?
Hertz’s official franchise FAQ publishes screening guidance of at least $500,000 net worth and $150,000 liquid capital, plus good credit and the ability to obtain fleet financing. The 2026 FDD does not restate those figures as contractual minimums, so treat them as application guidance, not a guarantee of approval.
The FAQ says car-rental experience is a plus rather than a requirement. Under the Franchise Agreement, however, the business must be under your direct day-to-day supervision or a disclosed full-time manager who completes Hertz training, has sufficient Vehicle Rental Business experience, and devotes full time to the operation. Item 15 also requires significant personal time, energy, direction and best efforts.
What is the verified sequence from inquiry to opening?
The current FDD does not prescribe a single application form or a fully dated pre-approval workflow. The verified sequence therefore combines Hertz’s official inquiry/qualification materials as supplemental evidence with the 2026 FDD and Franchise Agreement for the binding pre-opening steps.
Submit an inquiry and application
Action: Enter Hertz’s candidate screening process and provide requested supporting information.
Actor: Applicant.
Timing: Hertz’s legacy process graphic places inquiry before application validation.
Blocker: Incomplete information or unavailable market opportunity.
Complete qualification and corporate review
Action: Complete interviews, operational-plan review and any current diligence Hertz requires.
Actor: Applicant and Hertz.
Timing: Official web FAQ says 60–90 days for approval and legal documentation, but this is not a current FDD deadline.
Blocker: Failure to satisfy current standards or obtain fleet financing capacity.
Receive and review the 2026 FDD
Action: Review all 23 Items, Franchise Agreement and applicable addenda before signing or paying.
Actor: Applicant and professional advisers.
Timing: At least 14 calendar days before a binding agreement or payment to Hertz or an affiliate.
Next: Resolve deal-specific terms before execution.
Execute the Franchise Agreement and Attachment A
Action: Sign the governing agreement with the Franchised Territory, locations, Effective Date, expiration date and Location Opening Date completed for your deal.
Actor: Franchisee and Hertz System, Inc.
Timing: After the federal disclosure period.
Blocker: Unresolved commercial terms or required ancillary agreements.
Select and obtain approval for each site
Action: Send Hertz written notice of each proposed location address. You remain primarily responsible for site selection.
Actor: Franchisee; Hertz approves or disapproves.
Timing: Hertz must respond within 30 days after receiving notice.
Blocker: Rejected site or insufficient time to submit a replacement before the Attachment A opening date.
Secure the premises and operating dependencies
Action: Arrange financing, lease or occupancy rights, applicable governmental licenses and permits, insurance, utilities, fleet, signage, fixtures and approved systems.
Actor: Franchisee with landlord, lender, suppliers and authorities.
Timing: Before commencement as applicable.
Blocker: Third-party approvals, airport concessions, construction/remodeling or equipment installation.
Complete systems setup and required training
Action: Install the approved counter automation and Computer System, connect to the Reservations System, and complete required initial training to Hertz’s satisfaction.
Actor: Franchisee, manager, key employees, Hertz or affiliate trainers, approved suppliers.
Timing: Training is required before opening.
Blocker: Incomplete training, unresolved system integration or unapproved equipment.
Commence operations by the contractual date
Action: Open the approved location with required fleet, staffing, systems, insurance and operating standards in place.
Actor: Franchisee.
Timing: No later than the Location Opening Date in Attachment A.
Blocker: Missing approved site or other prerequisites; failure to open on time can be a default and may permit termination.
How do territory, site approval and the lease differ?
Attachment A identifies a non-exclusive Franchised Territory, at minimum by a city or other political subdivision. Hertz and affiliates reserve broad rights to operate, franchise, use alternative distribution channels and offer other brands inside it.
Site approval is separate. You propose the location in writing; Hertz has 30 days to approve or disapprove it based on standards including proximity to hotels, offices, airports and highways. Approval is not a warranty of suitability or profitability and does not secure a lease, airport concession, permit or financing.
What must be ready before the location can open?
Pre-opening readiness extends beyond the site. The Franchise Agreement requires the approved location, training, insurance, compliant vehicles, brand assets, approved technology and Reservations System participation. Local licensing and permit requirements vary; Item 7 says applicable governmental fees are incurred before commencing business.
Item 11’s training table lists 66 classroom hours plus 8 hours of airport/off-airport counter observation. It says you, your manager and key employees must complete required initial training to Hertz’s satisfaction before opening. Franchise Agreement §11.1 is worded more narrowly—“you or your full-time manager.” Because the two provisions are not identical, verify exactly who must attend and complete each module for your specific opening.
Who controls the critical opening dependencies?
The franchisee controls most execution, Hertz controls franchise and site approvals, and essential dependencies sit with third parties. Hertz assistance should not be mistaken for an obligation to obtain financing, a lease, permits or airport rights for you.
The practical critical path is therefore usually the franchisee’s ability to secure an approvable site and finish third-party dependencies before the individualized Attachment A deadline.
Source: 2026 Hertz FDD, Items 9–12 and 17; Franchise Agreement §§11–13, 16–17 and 19.4.What do the disclosed day-based periods actually mean?
These periods share the same unit—days—but they start from different events and must not be added together. The 14-day federal period runs before signing or payment; the 30-day site period starts when Hertz receives written site notice; and the 10–90-day and 60-day statements are two FDD estimates for the period from signing to opening.
The chart highlights the FDD’s internal timing tension: Item 11 gives a 10–90-day post-signing range while Item 12 states 60 days; neither changes the Location Opening Date in Attachment A.
Sources: 2026 Hertz FDD, Item 11, p. 11-2; Item 12, p. 12-2; Franchise Agreement §12.3; FTC Franchise Rule and FTC Franchise Rule FAQs.How do airport, multiple-brand, transfer and multi-unit paths differ?
The 2026 FDD does not attach a Development Agreement or Area Development Agreement. Hertz’s official FAQ references multi-unit ownership, while required additional locations are handled through Attachment A or later territorial requirements in the Franchise Agreement.
Operates a Hertz car-rental business in the Franchised Territory under the Franchise Agreement. Each site needs written approval and must meet the Attachment A opening schedule.
Airport concessions add a separate authority-controlled process. If Hertz permits you to be the concessionaire or lessee, you must pursue and maintain required Airport Agreements, provide bid materials, and follow Franchise Agreement §17.2.
Offered only under certain circumstances. Hertz, Dollar and/or Thrifty operations must remain operationally distinct under the applicable addendum, with rules that can require separate facilities, counters, uniforms and brand-specific customer-contact employees.
A buyer of an existing franchised business must satisfy Hertz’s then-current application standards and transfer conditions. A transfer is not the same as a new-site opening, and Hertz may require a new franchise agreement and ancillary documents.
What should you verify before committing to an opening date?
Ask Hertz to reconcile the two FDD opening estimates and confirm the exact Attachment A Location Opening Date. Work backward from that contractual date using the dependencies that apply to your site: landlord or airport rights, financing, permits, insurance, fleet, approved systems and training.