United States (incl. Puerto Rico), Canada, Australia, Cambodia, Chile, China, Denmark, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Guatemala, India, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Mexico, New Zealand, Nicaragua, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Turkey, United Kingdom, France
In 2016,Entrepreneur listed Carl's Jr. as No. 54 on their TopFranchise 500 list, which ranks the overall financial strength, stability, and growth rate for the top 500 franchises in any field across the United States.[3]
As of March 2016, CKE (the parent company of Carl's Jr. andHardee's) has a total of 3,664 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states (both chains are totally absent fromNew England) and 38 foreign countries and U.S. territories.[4]
In 1941,Carl Karcher (1917–2008), who was a truck driver, and his wifeMargaret Karcher (1915–2006), borrowed $311 ($6,649 in 2024 dollars[5]) on their Plymouth automobile and added $15 ($321 in 2024 dollars[5]) in savings to purchase ahot dog cart on the corner ofFlorence andCentral Avenues inLos Angeles. From their newly purchased cart, they sold hot dogs, chili dogs, and tamales for a dime ($2 in 2024 dollars[5]), and soda for a nickel ($1 in 2024 dollars[5]). Within a few years, Carl and Margaret owned and operated four hot dog stands in Los Angeles. In 1945, the Karchers moved the short distance toAnaheim, California, and opened their first full-service restaurant,Carl's Drive-In Barbecue at 1108 North Palm Street (nowHarbor Boulevard).[6][7] In 1946, hamburgers were added to the menu for the first time.
In 1956, Karcher opened the first twoCarl's Jr. restaurants – so named because they were a smaller version of Carl's Drive-In Barbecue restaurant – in Anaheim andBrea.[8] The first local Carl's Jr. was built in 1956 on the former Janss Street next to St. Boniface Catholic Church about half a block away fromAnaheim High School. That Carl's Jr. became the church's Bethany Hall while another restaurant is located one block south on Harbor Boulevard. The former flagship Carl's Jr. is located at 1200 North Harbor Boulevard in Anaheim next to the old corporate office at 401 Carl Karcher Way until 2003, when the company moved its headquarters to a larger facility 500 feet north of the original location at 1325 North Anaheim Boulevard in Anaheim, then moving again in 2018 toFranklin, Tennessee.[9][7][10]
By the end of the 1950s, there were four Carl's Jr. restaurants inOrange County, California. The restaurants also had a new supervisor, Donald F. Karcher, Carl's younger brother, who would later become the company's president.[9]
By the 1960s, Carl was operating 24 restaurants inSouthern California. The company incorporated in 1966 asCarl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., and launched a major expansion of the chain in 1968. The menus were limited for faster service, featuring charbroiled hamburgers, hot dogs, fries, and malts.[9]
By 1975, there were more than 100 Carl's Jr. locations in Southern California, and the company expanded into the northern part of the state. Carl's Jr. celebrated its success by building its Anaheim corporate headquarters in 1976. The following year, it became the firstQSR chain to offer salad bars in all 200 locations. The first out-of-state restaurant opened in Las Vegas in 1979. By the end of the decade, sales exceeded the $100 million mark.[9] Carl's Jr. also experimented with fast-foodMexican cuisine in the 1970s and early 1980s with a spin-off called Taco de Carlos. The units all closed by the early 1980s, with Karcher later stating that this was due to the locations being too far apart from each other.[11]
Breakfast food served at a Carl's Jr. inLa Mesa, California, in 2016. Carl's Jr. first began serving breakfast in 1984.
In 1980, the company hired its 10,000th employee, doubling its employee count in just three years. In 1981, with 300 restaurants in operation, Carl Karcher Enterprises became a publicly held company. In 1984, Carl's Jr. was franchised for the first time. Carl's Jr.'s menu expanded during the decade with the addition of the Western Bacon Cheeseburger, breakfast items, a charbroiled chicken sandwich line, and self-servicesoda fountains. By the end of the decade, sales topped $480 million at 534 restaurants. The company also opened its first international units in the Pacific Rim. In addition, Carl's Jr. was one of the first chains to introduce a debit card payment system, inviting customers to use their ATM cards in the restaurants.[9]
In 1988, Karcher and his family were accused ofinsider trading by theSecurities and Exchange Commission. They had sold large quantities of stock before the price dropped. Karcher agreed to a settlement with the SEC and paid more than half a million dollars in fines.[12]
Former Carl's Jr. inDenton, Texas. This location closed in 2018.
Carl's Jr. chains had struggled to gain success inArizona andTexas, perhaps diminishing hopes of expansion to other states, though later states likeNevada,Oregon, andWashington proved successful. During the 1990s, Karcher and the board of directors began clashing, often publicly, over marketing and business practices, including the chain's attempt at dual branding with such chains asThe Green Burrito and its new advertising campaigns. Karcher was removed as chairman of the company by its board of directors on October 1, 1993.[13] Soon after, the board of directors took a new approach by cutting the menu, lowering prices, and introducing a new marketing campaign which targeted younger urban and suburban males.[8]
Following Don Karcher's death in 1992, a new management team was installed in 1994, headed by CEO William P. Foley II and President and Chief Operating Officer Tom Thompson. Carl Karcher Enterprises became a wholly owned subsidiary ofCKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.[9]
During the mid-1990s, Carl's Jr. unveiled its "If it doesn't get all over the place, it doesn't belong in your face" campaign, which featured younger people eating Carl's Jr.'s burgers with ketchup and juice dripping from the burger and onto clothes and other areas.[14]
In 2001, Carl's Jr. introduced the Thickburger line with the 1/2 lb. Six Dollar Burger, with sister chain Hardee's following in 2003.
In 2002, CKE Restaurants acquiredSanta Barbara Restaurant Group, the parent company of theGreen Burrito brand. Some Carl's Jr. stores are now co-branded with Green Burrito, as are some Hardee's stores.[9]
In 2005, Carl's Jr. introduced hand-scooped ice cream shakes.
On January 11, 2008, Carl Karcher, the founder of hamburger chain Carl's Jr., died at the age of 90. A spokeswoman for CKE Restaurants said Karcher suffered fromParkinson's disease and was being treated for Parkinson's-relatedpneumonia when he died atSt. Jude Medical Center inFullerton, California. Many Carl's Jr. restaurants flew their flags at half-staff in memory of Karcher.[8]
In the 2010s, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's rolled out Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders. Carl's Jr. and Hardee's began offering Charbroiled Turkey Burgers in 2011, marking another industry first by becoming the first national fast food chains to offer Turkey Burgers.
In July 2010, CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. was acquired by Columbia Lake Acquisition Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of Apollo Management VII, L.P. allowing CKE to continue to grow and succeed as a privately held company under the ownership of Apollo.
In 2011, Carl's Jr. introduced made-from-scratch biscuits.On November 20, 2013,Roark Capital Group agreed to acquire CKE from Apollo for $1.65–$1.75 billion.
In December 2014, Carl's Jr. introduced the All-Natural Burger, featuring an all-natural, grass-fed, free-range beef patty that has no added hormones, antibiotics, or steroids – the first major fast-food chain to offer an all-natural beef patty on the menu. In December 2015, the All-Natural Turkey Burger was introduced – the fast food industry's first.
Although both Hardee's and Carl's Jr. operated essentially as one brand since 1997, CKE Restaurants announced plans to try to separate their identities in 2018. Part of the effort involved remodeling several Hardee's restaurants as well as giving both brands distinct ad campaigns.[17][18] Although both chains had the same menu at the time of the split, CKE noted that they would slowly change over time although with "some overlap"[17]
In January 2019, Carl's Jr. introduced aBeyond Meat patty as an addition to their menu. They were one of the first large chain restaurants to introduce a vegan-friendly patty to their menu and roll it out to all of their locations. Soon afterBurger King and many others followed by adding plant-based burgers to their menus.[19] In February 2024, all Carl's Jr. locations in theBakersfield, California area permanently removed the Beyond Burger from its menu. As of April 2024, Carl's Jr. has not issued a press release indicating why this decision was made.
In mid-March 2020, all restaurants temporarily abandoned indoor dining to combat theCOVID-19 pandemic. Customers could still make their orders viadrive thru, pick-up ortake-away service.
In 2024, Carl's Jr. announced that it sources 100% cage-free eggs for its U.S. locations, following advocacy from animal welfare organizations.[20]
Distribution of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants around the world
US with both the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's locations
Countries with Carl's Jr. locations
Countries with Hardee's locations
A portobello mushroom burger and fries from the Carl's Jr. inPlaza Semanggi,Jakarta, Indonesia
In 2011, Carl's Jr. first ventured the Canadian market with the opening of an outlet inKelowna,British Columbia, followed by all British Columbia outlet openings inKamloops,Vernon andPenticton. AChilliwack outlet opened in September 2012, then inVancouver in 2013 (now closed in 2024). AnAbbotsford outlet opened in January 2014 then in September 2014, twoOntario outlets opened inWaterloo andGuelph, followed by two more outlets opened inToronto in March/April 2015 and a location atVancouver International Airport in January 2015. By January 2016, all Ontario locations were shut down, although operations continue inWestern Canada.[21][22]
In November 2015, Carl's Jr. opened its 200th restaurant inMexico.[23] The brand first entered the market in 1991.[24][25]
In August 2016, Carl's Jr. opened its first location in India at Saket's Select Citywalk Mall in New Delhi.[26]
Despite the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Carl's Jr. continued its operations in Russia. The company has a longstanding presence in the country, having announced a master franchise agreement with Nevada Russia Franchising Company LLC in August 2021 to expand its footprint by developing over 300 additional restaurants.[40]
In August 2022, Carl's Jr. arrived inArgentina with plans to open seven locations and target the "gourmet" burger market. The American burger chain had already been analyzing the local market since June 2022.
In May 2024, theBoparan Restaurant Group announced it would begin a master license agreement with Carl's Jr., bringing the chain to the United Kingdom.[41]
In July 2024, the Carl's Jr.Australiamaster franchisee went intovoluntary administration with 20 company owned restaurants immediately closed meantime, but 4 company and 25 independent stores operate.KPMG has been appointedadministrators of CJ’s QSR Group Pty Ltd, and the CJ’s Group. The 25 unaffected stores were quietly transferred to direct supervision by CKE Restaurants.[42][43] Suspected factors of the collapse include reduced discretional spending, increased costs, and overly optimistic expansion to places 'in the middle of nowhere' amid fierce market saturation. CKE still stands committed to expanding to Australia, despite the collapse.[44] In November 2024, creditors elected toliquidate the operator.[45] While some stores were successfully sold to franchisees, most of the directly franchised stores reportedly survived, and thereare plans for further expansion in Australia but without another operator,[46] a vast number stores made of predominantly most of the branch-owned stores seem to have closed permanently and/or become or leased to other operators.
CKE conducts an annual Stars for Heroes in-store fundraising campaign at both Carl's Jr. and Hardee's to benefit U.S. military veterans and their families.
Carl's Jr. logo from June 12, 2006,[49] to March 28, 2017. Still used at most locations.Carl's Jr. logo from November 5, 2018,[50] to September 21, 2022 (it was still used on its website until early December). Still used on some newly remodeled locations.
In January 1997, commercials featuringNBA playerDennis Rodman were pulled after he was fined a then-record $25,000 and suspended for 11 games for kicking a cameraman in the groin during a game inMinneapolis,Minnesota. His commercials resumed airing after his suspension was lifted. However, in June of that same year, Carl's Jr. pulled his commercials for good after he was fined a then-record $50,000 for using profanity againstMormons during a game inSalt Lake City,Utah.
In 2005, Carl's Jr. launched a marketing campaign featuring bikini-clad models posing suggestively to capture the "hungry, young guy" demographic. The advertisements were criticized forobjectifying women and prompted calls toboycott Carl's Jr.[55] Company CEOAndrew Puzder defended the campaign inEntrepreneur magazine, saying, "I like our ads. I like beautiful women eating burgers in bikinis. I think it's very American."[56]
In the years before his death in 2008, Karcher objected to the sexualized nature of the company's advertising, and was reported "just heartbroken" that a company he founded on Christian principles has taken such "an amoral act."[57] Karcher had previously criticized CKE's previous campaigns during the 1990s.[58]
In May 2005, Carl's Jr. introduced its "Spicy BBQ Six Dollar Burger" in a television advertisement created by Mendelsohn Zien Advertising. The ad featuresParis Hilton in a provocative swimsuit soaping up aBentley automobile and crawling all over it before taking a big bite out of her burger and giving her signature phrase, "That's hot."[59][60] The commercial was directed byChris Applebaum.[14]
With the two chains selling many common menu items by 2013, Carl's Jr. began to advertise nationally in conjunction with Hardee's for products sold by both brands.
In January 2015, Carl's Jr. released a commercial online featuring modelCharlotte McKinney advertising its newAll Natural Burger to air regionallyduringSuper Bowl XLIX. The ad features McKinney walking around afarmers' market, implying that she is"all natural", and usesdouble entendres to suggest that she is naked with strategically placed items in the market until it reveals McKinney in abikini eating the All Natural Burger. Critics suggest that the ad "setsfeminism back four decades," while others, including McKinney's elderly grandfather, enjoyed the ad.[61][62][63] The ad now features Hardee's co-branding as the All Natural Burger is now offered by Hardee's. As of June 2016, Charlotte McKinney's "Au Natural" ad debut has garnered over 4.5 billion media impressions worldwide[64] and more than 13 million views on the chains' YouTube channel.[65]
In March 2017, Carl's Jr. released a commercial featuring a white-bearded character named Carl Hardee Sr. (played byCharles Esten) who had come back into the office (much to the delight of the employees) to find his son Carl Jr. (Drew Tarver) who was focusing on sex appeal over its food. The commercial marked a turning point in CKE's advertising, claiming it wanted to move away from its provocative ads and focus more on food and as a competitor toFive Guys,Steak 'n Shake, andIn-N-Out Burger. "Carl Hardee Sr." is also expected to become the new company spokesperson. The campaign also introduced modernized logos for both Carl's Jr. and Hardee's.[66]
In 2018, CKE resumed producing separate campaigns for their Hardee's and Carl's Jr. brands. For Carl's Jr., it startedThe Call of Carl's campaign featuring the voice of Academy Award-winning actorMatthew McConaughey.[67]
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