CKE Restaurants Inc. has announced the opening of its first Hardee's restaurant in Lahore, Pakistan. This marks the first of at least 25 Hardee's restaurants to be opened in Pakistan within the next five years. The franchised Hardee's restaurant is operated by MDS Foods Private Ltd., a subsidiary of the Super Asia Group, a leading home appliances and automotive company in Pakistan.
"We are pleased to announce the opening of our first restaurant in Pakistan and are pleased to welcome MDS Foods Private Limited to the CKE family," said Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants. "We have a solid base of Hardee's restaurants in the Middle East, strong brand awareness in the region and are excited about introducing the Hardee's brand to Pakistan."
CKE Restaurants' entry into Pakistan is an extension of its international expansion strategy, and the company sees a high demand for premium QSRs in the region. Hardee's has operated franchised restaurants in the Middle East since 1980 and currently operates 205 Hardee's restaurants in Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Kuwait, Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Bahrain, Qatar, Oman and now, Pakistan.
CKE franchises 338 international restaurants between both its Carl's Jr. and Hardee's brands. The company has strategic development plans to double its international presence within the next five years.
In addition to the Pakistan opening, the company also announced the execution of a development agreement for three Hardee's restaurants in the Republic of Yemen.
