Carl's Jr.® Restaurants Enter Malaysia

By: Carl's Jr. | 0 Shares 814 Reads

CARPINTERIA, Calif., Aug. 7 // PRNewswire-FirstCall // -- CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) announced today that Carl's Jr.®, one of its subsidiary hamburger chains, has opened its first flagship restaurant in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The franchise restaurant opened on Monday, July 23 and is the fifth of 25 that will be opened over the next six years as per an agreement with Singapore-based franchisee Aspac F&B SDN. BHD. Aspac has been operating Carl's Jr. restaurants in Singapore since 2005, and is excited to enter the Malaysia market.

"We are very pleased to see Aspac expand their presence across the Asia-Pacific region by opening their first Carl's Jr. franchise restaurant in Malaysia. This is a dynamic market with a strong appetite for great-tasting food, and the premium hamburgers offered at Carl's Jr. will be a perfect fit," said Ned Lyerly, senior vice president of global franchise development for CKE Restaurants, Inc.

"We are equally pleased to have such a strong partner in Aspac. Their knowledge of operating Carl's Jr. restaurants in Singapore and their passion for the Carl's Jr. brand are a winning combination," said Michael Woida, vice president - international for CKE Restaurants, Inc.

Global franchise development for CKE Restaurants, Inc. subsidiary chains Carl's Jr. and Hardee's® is a focus for the company, and international restaurant presence currently exceeds 255 restaurants in 14 countries. There are approximately 3,022 franchise- and company-owned restaurants between the two chains system wide.

"Our goal is to take a leadership position in the quick casual dining segment by offering premium burgers that emphasize quality, hospitable service with excellent ambience," said Mason Tan, chief executive officer of Aspac F&B SDN. BHD. "After a successful launch of the Carl's Jr. brand in Singapore in 2005, it became clear that Carl's Jr.'s unique market and branding positioning combined with its focus on product innovation make it stand out from the rest of the F&B players in Malaysia. We are certain customers will enjoy our value proposition centered around great tasting, premium products that are built for taste. We look forward to many more restaurant openings and success in the future."

Carl's Jr. is celebrating more than 65 years in the quick-service industry. What began as a lone hot dog cart in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1941 is today an international organization that employs nearly 30,000 people worldwide. Carl's Jr. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) of Carpinteria, Calif. As of the first fiscal quarter ended May 21, 2007, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,022 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 43 states and in 14 countries, including 1,101 Carl's Jr. restaurants, 1,905 Hardee's® restaurants.

Safe Harbor Disclosure

Matters discussed in this news release contain forward-looking statements relating to future plans and developments, financial goals and operating performance that are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often difficult to predict, are beyond the Company's control and which may cause results to differ materially from expectations. Factors that could cause the Company's results to differ materially from those described include, but are not limited to, whether or not restaurants will be closed and the number of restaurant closures, consumers' concerns or adverse publicity regarding the Company's products, the effectiveness of operating initiatives and advertising and promotional efforts (particularly at the Hardee's brand), changes in economic conditions or prevailing interest rates, changes in the price or availability of commodities, availability and cost of energy, workers' compensation and general liability premiums and claims experience, changes in the Company's suppliers' ability to provide quality and timely products to the Company, delays in opening new restaurants or completing remodels, severe weather conditions, the operational and financial success of the Company's franchisees, franchisees' willingness to participate in the Company's strategies, the availability of financing for the Company and its franchisees, unfavorable outcomes in litigation, changes in accounting policies and practices, effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, new legislation or government regulation (including environmental laws), the availability of suitable locations and terms for the sites designated for development, and other factors as discussed in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law or the rules of the New York Stock Exchange.

SOURCE CKE Restaurants, Inc.