Carl's Jr. Franchise News

2012 Fundraiser Names The Mission Continues and USA Cares as National Beneficiaries; Aims to Surpass $1 Million Mark for Second Year
CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CKE Restaurants, Inc., parent company to Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® restaurant chains, launches the Stars for Heroes™ fundraising campaign this week at participating restaurant locations. Following a successful inaugural program, the 2012 campaign hopes to again harness the national reach of both brands and the generosity of its customers, franchisees and company employees to rally behind the nation’s military families and veterans. Funds raised during this year’s campaign will assist those groups through national charity partnerships with The Mission Continues and USA Cares, as well as through regional charities with existing ties to individual Carl’s Jr...

Expansion plans include Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama and Puerto Rico.
CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CKE Restaurants, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a five-year development agreement with Airport Shoppes Corp., a subsidiary of International Meal Company (IMC), with plans to open approximately 50 Carl’s Jr.® restaurants in four new markets: Colombia, Dominican Republic, Panama and Puerto Rico.
“Latin America and the Caribbean have a wealth of untapped market potential for a restaurant brand like Carl’s Jr. that offers best-in-class products, services and facilities”
IMC is a leading multi-brand casual and quick-service restaurant operator in Latin America with more than 200 company-owned restaurants and 8,000 employees in the Caribbean, Mexico and Brazil...

CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CKE Restaurants, Inc. announced today that it has entered into a definitive development agreement with AML Foods Limited to build Carl’s Jr.® restaurants in the Bahamas over the next five years. The first restaurant is scheduled to open later this year. AML is a well-recognized and established Bahamian company with vast experience in food services, retail and club store operations.
“Carl’s Jr. offers a premium positioning and best-in-class products, services and facilities which were very appealing to us. We know the brand will resonate with Bahamians, who are highly enthusiastic QSR consumers”
“The Bahamas is an attractive quick service restaurant market and AML’s strong track record in consumer retailing and the food services industry makes them an ideal partner for us,” said Ned Lyerly, Executive Vice President of Global Franchise Development for CKE Restaurants...

Inaugural Stars for Troops campaign fundraiser to benefit Homes for Our Troops and USA Cares CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CKE Restaurants, Inc. and its Carl's Jr.® and Hardee's® restaurants raised more than $1 million for military families and veterans during the spring fundraiser that launched Stars for Troops, the chains' new charitable program. The three week in-store fundraising campaign harnessed the national reach of both brands and the generosity of its customers to rally behind the patriotic cause. The funds raised will assist military families and veterans through national charity partnerships with Homes for Our Troops and USA Cares.

The inaugural Stars for Troops fundraising campaign kicked off in early May at Hardee's and Carl's Jr...

British Columbia Location Feeds Canada's Need for Premium-Quality Burgers CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CKE Restaurants, Inc. announced today that Jove Franchise Development Corporation ("Jove") has opened the first Carl's Jr.®restaurant in Canada. This restaurant is located in Kelowna, British Columbia. and is the first of five Carl's Jr. restaurants Jove plans to open and operate in Canada. CKE plans to open additional Carl's Jr. restaurants as part of a larger expansion across Canada in the coming years.

CKE's entry into Canada is part of a strategic plan to accelerate franchise development in international markets and to double CKE's international presence to over 700 restaurants within the next five years. CKE currently has active franchise development agreements in Vancouver, British Columbia and is actively seeking qualified franchise candidates throughout Canada...

2011 Stars for Troops Campaign to Benefit Homes for Our Troops and USA Cares CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CKE Restaurants, Inc., parent company to Carl's Jr.® and Hardee's® restaurant chains launches the Stars for Troops fundraising campaign this week at participating restaurant locations. The campaign hopes to harness the national reach of both brands and the generosity of its customers to rally behind the nation's military families and veterans. Funds raised in this year's campaign will assist those groups through national charity partnerships with Homes for Our Troops and USA Cares.

The Stars for Troops fundraising campaign kicks off today at Hardee's and May 4 at Carl's Jr. and will run for three weeks. To participate, restaurant guests donate $1 in support of military charities...

CARPINTERIA, Calif. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc., today announced the opening of the first Carl's Jr.® restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey. The restaurant, located in the popular Cevahir Shopping Mall in central Istanbul, marks the first of at least 25 Carl's Jr. locations to be opened in Turkey over the next six years. The restaurants will be operated by FET Restoran Isletmeleri A.S.

"We believe the Turkish market has tremendous potential for our brand given the strength of its economy, the youthful population base and an appreciation for premium-quality burgers. It is also a gateway for European expansion." . The entry of Carl's Jr. into Turkey is part of a strategic plan by CKE Restaurants to accelerate franchise development in international markets and grow the system as a whole...

Jonathon Hanington from Tualatin, Ore., is the lucky winner of "The Key to Black Beauty" sweepstakes CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Someone in Oregon has the sweetest ride around. Carl's Jr.® and Hardee's®, announced today that Jonathon Hanington of Tualatin, Ore., officially won Black Beauty, one of the fully loaded prop cars from the Columbia Pictures movie "The Green Hornet." The car, offered as the grand prize in the fast food chains' "The Key to Black Beauty" instant win game and sweepstakes, was delivered to Hanington on Friday, March 4, at the Carl's Jr. located in his hometown of Tualatin, Ore. Hanington, a 27-year-old full-time student and Army reservist, received the keys from Happy Star, the iconic mascot of Carl's Jr...

</p><h2>First Carl's Jr. in Houston Tops U.S. & International Sales Mark With $117K in First Week</h2><p>CARPINTERIA, Calif. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Burger lovers in Houston wasted no time welcoming their first Carl's Jr.® restaurant into the community this month. The newly opened Carl's Jr. set a company record with $117,203 in sales its opening week in Houston, topping the company's domestic and international sales mark. The previous top-grossing opening for Carl's Jr. was also in the Lone Star State, an impressive $115,536 opening week at the Leon Valley, Texas, restaurant in November 2009.

"We knew the people of Houston were excited for the opening of its first Carl's Jr., but this surpassed our expectations," said Andrew F...

In its sixth year, successful Pink Star program has customers to thank for help in the fight against breast cancer CARPINTERIA, Calif. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CKE Restaurants, Inc. today announced it has once again reached its goal of raising $1 million for breast cancer programs and awareness through its Pink Star fundraising campaign. During the three-week, in-store fundraiser, which ran April 28 through May 18, guests of Carl's Jr. ® and Hardee's® restaurants across the United States donated to the campaign in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).

"The Pink Star campaign not only raises awareness but also allows us to continue to grow our mammogram services that provide low-income women and those without adequate insurance access to truly the best early detection method currently available...

CARPINTERIA, Calif. -(BUSINESS WIRE)- CKE Restaurants, Inc. announced today the appointment of Daniel E. Ponder, Jr., Jerold H. Rubinstein and C. Thomas Thompson to its board of directors.

"Mr. Thompson brings to the board extensive knowledge and experience in the quick-service restaurant industry generally and with respect to the Carl's Jr. system specifically" .Ponder served as a director of CKE from 2001 until his resignation earlier this year pursuant to the terms of CKE's recently completed merger with affiliates of Apollo Management VII, L.P. ("Apollo"). He currently is the president and chairman of the board of Ponder Enterprises, Inc., a franchisee of Hardee's restaurants since 1984. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Independent Hardee's Franchise Association since its inception in 1997...

CKE Restaurants On Pace to Double International Presence In Next Five Years CARPINTERIA, Calif. --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- CKE Restaurants, Inc. announced the opening of the first Carl's Jr.® restaurant in Jakarta, Indonesia. This marks the first of at least 25 Carl's Jr. restaurants to be opened in Indonesia over the next six years. The restaurants will be operated by PT. Fortune Food International, whose parent company, PT. Aneka Makmur Sejahtera Group, Inc., is a successful holding company specializing in sales of Yamaha motorcycles, parts and Dunlop tires. PT. Aneka Makmur Sejahtera Group, Inc. also operates businesses in the retail, consumer goods, and banking and finance sectors. PT. Fortune Food International has the exclusive rights to develop Carl's Jr...

CARPINTERIA, Calif., Jun 01, 2010 (BUSINESS WIRE) --CKE Restaurants, Inc.(NYSE: CKR) opened its first Carl's Jr.(R) restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam this week. This marks the first of at least 25 Carl's Jr. units to be opened in Vietnam over the next six years and is the first major Western quick-service hamburger chain to open in the market. The restaurants in Vietnam will be operated by Mesa Asia Pacific Trading Services Company Limited, whose parent is a successful holding company specializing in consumer goods distribution, restaurant operations, media and real estate development.

CKE's entry into the Vietnam market is part of a strategic plan to accelerate franchise development in international markets and grow our system as a whole...

Guests Can Win up to 10,000 My Coke Rewards Points, as well as Food Prizes CARPINTERIA, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Carl's Jr.(R) and Hardee's(R) restaurants have partnered with Coca-Cola to make everyone a winner - not just once, but twice. The My Coke Rewards(R) campaign launches today at Hardee's and is already underway at Carl's Jr. With each purchase of a large fountain soda, guests will receive a specially marked cup that includes two offers: My Coke Rewards points that can be redeemed for cool stuff online; plus a peel-off coupon offer for a free or discounted item for the guest's next visit.

Coca-Cola will award more than 50 million My Coke Rewards points during the promotion, including two grand prizes of 10,000 points each...

Best Thing since the Invention of the Big Carl™ Burger Offers Juicy Opportunity That Customers Can Sink Their Teeth Into! INDIANAPOLIS --(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Tetherball, an industry leader in mobile loyalty and rewards solutions, and Star Chasers Oklahoma, today announced the launch of the mobile rewards program for Carl's Jr. Oklahoma stores. The charbroiled burger chain known for its innovative menu offerings and creative advertising has chosen Tetherball's robust mobile marketing solution to connect with customers and make it even easier for them to get great offers.

"We see mobile marketing as a functional and complementary solution that we've been able to easily integrate with our existing marketing and advertising programs, thanks to the great help we've gotten from Tetherball," said Troy Beats, Vice President of Marketing/Operations for Star Chasers Oklahoma, Inc...

Success of Teriyaki Burger Leads to Chicken Version with More to Come CARPINTERIA, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Aloha, summer! Starting today, Carl's Jr.(R) welcomes the warmer weather with its newest offering: the Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich.

The new Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich, which is sure to become a summer favorite, includes a charbroiled chicken breast, sweet-and-savory teriyaki glaze, charbroiled Dole(R) pineapple, Swiss cheese, lettuce, red onion, tomato and mayonnaise, all on a honey-wheat bun.

The Teriyaki Chicken Sandwich is available at Carl's Jr. for $3.89, or as a combo meal with fries and a drink for $6.39. Prices may vary by location. Burger lovers can still enjoy the popular Teriyaki Burger, which became a permanent menu item around this time last year...

Favorite Childhood Sandwich Gets a Remake, Carl's Jr. Style CARPINTERIA, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Carl's Jr. has created the ultimate comfort food, Grilled Cheese Bacon Burgers(TM). Starting today, fans of the cheesy, gooey comfort food can try one of the new Carl's Jr. Grilled Cheese Bacon Burgers, which features all the comfort and deliciousness of the grilled cheese sandwich mom used to make, with the addition of a delicious charbroiled burger and bacon.

"The origin of the new Grilled Cheese Bacon Burgers is actually kind of a funny story," said Brad Haley, executive vice president of marketing at CKE Restaurants. "We were initially working on menu items we could offer for our vegetarian customers and made a really good grilled cheese sandwich...

Public Can't Get Enough of Popular Celebrity, Both Online and Off CARPINTERIA, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Carl's Jr.(R) knew that partnering with Kim Kardashian to promote its new line of Grilled Chicken Salads would help raise awareness for the delicious, sit-down restaurant quality creations, but they were thrilled at how much buzz the young celebrity could generate. Through Jan. 8, interest in Kim Kardashian's salad commercial has received unparalleled press coverage, garnering 258 million media impressions (potential viewers/readers), more than three times the quantity achieved by any one of the chain's previous celebrity commercial stars and, amazingly, more than all of them combined.

Media coverage has ranged from People magazine and The Jay Leno Show, to CNBC's FastMoney and USA Today...

Applications Now Available Online for 11th Annual Carl N. and Margaret Karcher Founders' Scholarship Program CARPINTERIA, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) -- Carl's Jr.(R) is pleased to announce that applications for the 2010 Carl N. and Margaret Karcher Founders' Scholarship are now available online. The application deadline is Feb. 1, 2010.

As a young married couple in 1941, Carl N. and Margaret Karcher started their company believing that they could earn success through their commitment to faith, service and hard work. More than 65 years later, Carl's Jr. is proud to continue their commitment to the community by offering 60 hard-working high school students a $1,000 scholarship to the two- or four-year college or vocational school of their choice...

Who says salads can't be hot? CARPINTERIA, Calif. (BUSINESS WIRE) -- With three new premium salads featuring warm grilled chicken and a hot new ad featuring Kim Kardashian, Carl's Jr.(R) wants to know: who says salads can't be hot? Today, the restaurant chain launches a line of new premium grilled chicken entrée salads that are indulgent, delicious and just as enticing as its newest commercial star, Kim Kardashian.

Carl's Jr. boasts a long history of innovative menu offerings and was the first fast-food restaurant to feature salad bars in 1974. In 1988, Carl's Jr. also became one of the first to offer premium packaged fast-food salad, the Charbroiled Chicken Salad, which has received an upgrade in the latest product rollout...