Carl's Jr.

Culture:

Carl's Jr. Celebrates Opening of 300th Dual-Branded Restaurant Delicious Green Burrito Menu Allows Guests to Enjoy Burgers and Mexican Fare CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Jan 30, 2007 – Carl's Jr.® celebrated the opening of its 300th dual-branded Carl's Jr./Green Burrito restaurant location today, January 30, 2007 in Livermore, California. Carl's Jr. president and CEO Andrew F. Puzder attended the media event and celebration, as did Carl's Jr. franchise owners Daljit and Pam Hundal; Livermore mayor Marshall Kamena; and Livermore Chamber of Commerce president and CEO Dale Kaye. "This is a significant and impressive milestone for Carl's Jr. and the dual-branding program with Green Burrito," said Carl's Jr. president and CEO Andrew F. Puzder. "Dual-branding our Carl's Jr. restaurants with Green Burrito has been extremely successful for our company due to its popularity among our most loyal customers. Everyone who loves a good burger enjoys a tasty burrito or crispy taco from time to time – and we're pleased to offer both options under the same roof. This is our 300th dual-branded restaurant, and the first of many to come in 2007." In 1993, Carl's Jr. founder Carl N. Karcher and former Green Burrito chairman William Theisen first discussed the idea of dual branding Carl's Jr. and Green Burrito restaurant locations. In 1994, Carl's Jr. opened the first dual-branded Carl's Jr./Green Burrito restaurant in Carson, Calif. Dual branding with Green Burrito has been very successful for Carl's Jr., increasing both average unit volumes and profits. Offering its menu inside 300 Carl's Jr. restaurant locations across the Western US, the Green Burrito brand boasts a unit presence roughly equivalent to QSR competitors Qdoba Mexican Grill and Baja Fresh. Last year, Carl's Jr.'s sister chain, Hardee's, began rolling out its own dual branding effort under the brand name Red Burrito. There are currently more than thirty Hardee's/Red Burrito dual-branded restaurants. Both Carl's Jr. and Hardee's anticipate opening more dual-branded restaurants in 2007. Carl's Jr./Green Burrito dual branding has grown steadily over the years, aided by Carl's Jr. parent company CKE Restaurants, Inc.'s acquisition of the Green Burrito chain through Santa Barbara Restaurant Group in late 2001, and by strong franchisee support for the program. Livermore franchise owners Daljit and Pam Hundal enjoy the distinction of having also opened the 1,000th Carl's Jr. restaurant in 2003. "I began my career at Carl's Jr. and have enjoyed great success as a franchisee," said Daljit Hundal, Carl's Jr. franchise owner and president of Hundal Companies. "To think that we franchised our first Carl's Jr. restaurant in 1991, took part in the 1,000th Carl's Jr. restaurant opening in 2003, and now share this milestone of the 300th dual-branded restaurant with CKE in 2007 is truly an honor. We invite everyone in Livermore to visit our restaurants and see why fans of our delicious charbroiled Carl's Jr. hamburgers will come back for Green Burrito's full Mexican menu, including burritos, tacos, enchiladas and more." 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 third fiscal quarter ended Nov. 6, 2006, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,113 franchised or company-owned restaurants in 43 states and in 14 countries, including 1,079 Carl's Jr. restaurants, 1,923 Hardee's® restaurants and 95 La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill® restaurants. For more information, or to find a Carl's Jr. near you, go to www.ckr.com or www.carlsjr.com.

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Get more of what you want. Serving up big, juicy burgers has brought Carl's Jr. not only consumer and media accolades but big career opportunities, too. By giving consumers more of what they want, our financial performance keeps us a leader in the quick-service restaurant industry. Get more of what you want: from first-rate training and development programs to a supportive and team-oriented atmosphere where hard work is recognized. If you thrive in a fast-paced environment, we have the right job for you.