First Carl's Jr.(R) Restaurant Opens in Pago Pago, American Samoa, Marking the 100th International Carl's Jr. Opening

By: Carl's Jr. | 4 Shares 421 Reads

CARPINTERIA, Calif., Dec. 7 // PRNewswire-FirstCall // -- CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) announced today that Carl's Jr., one of its subsidiary hamburger chains, has opened a restaurant in Pago Pago, American Samoa, making it the 100th Carl's Jr. restaurant to open internationally. International franchise development is a strategic focus for CKE Restaurants, Inc. and the company currently operates a total of 271 franchised restaurants in 13 countries. In the current fiscal year, CKE Restaurants, Inc. will open more than 40 international restaurants, the highest one year total in the company's history.

The South Pacific Island is an unincorporated Territory of the United States. The franchised restaurant opened on Monday, December 3 and is the first Carl's Jr. restaurant for franchisee, Forsgren Foods Inc.

"We are very excited to see Forsgren Foods open their Carl's Jr. franchise restaurant in Pago Pago. This is a unique 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. "American Samoa was actually not on our radar screens for development but one visit to the island and a meeting with the Forsgren's was all it took to understand that Carl's Jr. was sure to be successful here!" said Mike Woida, vice president -- international for CKE Restaurants, Inc.

The Territory of American Samoa has been highly anticipating the opening of Carl's Jr. "Finally ... ! We have a burger that looks like the picture! We love Carl's Jr. and they are not a stranger to our community since there is a large Samoan population in California," a delighted new customer exclaimed.

"The people of American Samoa have been craving a premium product for a long time and we are proud that we can finally deliver a delicious, big, juicy charbroiled Carl's Jr. burger to them," said Barry Forsgren CEO of Forsgren Foods Inc. "We want to make Carl's Jr. the destination of choice for consumers on the island and set the standard for foodservice, food quality, and a great dining experience."

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. of Carpinteria, Calif. For more information, or to find a Carl's Jr. near you, go to http://www.ckr.com or http://www.carlsjr.com.

As of the end of its fiscal 2008 second quarter ended Aug. 13, 2007, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,036 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 13 countries, including 1,111 Carl's Jr. restaurants and 1,909 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.