CARPINTERIA, Calif. — CKE Restaurants Inc. has signed a franchise development deal to open 72 Carl's Jr. restaurants in the Dallas and Houston markets over the next nine years, the company has announced. The agreement with Star Foods Investors Group comes just six weeks after CKE announced a 121-unit expansion agreement in Texas with RWJP Star Enterprises.
"We continue to build momentum with this announcement of 72 additional units in Dallas and Houston," said Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE. "Combined with the previously announced franchise deal for 121 units, we believe Texas is well on its way to becoming a major stronghold for our brand. We anticipate further franchise development agreements for Texas markets, as well as ongoing company expansion."
The deal calls for Star Foods to develop 32 restaurants in Dallas and 40 in the Houston market. The franchise group's background is in commercial real estate acquisition, construction and development, with more than 25 years expertise in multiunit operations and management in the quick-service restaurant industry. Partner Kam Mateen of Cannon Commercial is already a major developer in the Dallas and Houston markets.
Carl's Jr. has been aggressively pursuing both franchise and company-owned restaurant expansion in Texas.
In the past six months, the company has opened five units in the San Antonio and Austin markets, will open an additional restaurant in San Antonio next week and plans to open several more company-owned restaurants in these markets in 2009. Additionally, there are 18 franchised units in Texas, including eight in El Paso, five in the greater Dallas area, two in Wichita Falls, and one each in San Antonio, Austin and Laredo.
