CARPENTERIA, Calif. — A new advertising campaign for Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, called "Fake Restaurant," captures on hidden camera the experience of customers who believed they were eating expensive burgers at a fancy restaurant, only to find out they were really enjoying Carl's Jr. and Hardee's burgers.
The faux fine-dining establishment, called Grade A Restaurant, was created in Malibu, Calif., and included details expected as part of any high-end restaurant experience, including a framed profile of the fictional Chef Hooper and phony reviews at the entrance, as well as a Web site to help create a backstory.
Guests were brought to the fake-restaurant set by a friend who was in on the ruse. The burgers listed on the menu, which were the same burgers served at Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, ranged in price from $14 to $20. Once the guests had paid the checks the truth was revealed to them.
The Fake Restaurant commercials, which were directed by FriedFish Productions, are already airing in Hardee's markets and will begin airing in Carl's Jr. markets beginning June 22.
