CARPINTERIA, Calif. — CKE Restaurants Inc. has announced blended same-store sales for Carl's Jr. and Hardee's were down 2.7 percent for the four weeks of period two ended March 23. Year-to-date, comps were down 1.7 percent compared to an increase of 1.9 percent in the same period last year.
Blended consolidated revenue was $86.8 million for the period. Consolidated revenue for the period was $49.2 million at Carl's Jr. and $37.6 million at Hardee's.
Carl's Jr. same-store sales for period two were down 7.0 percent, compared to an increase of 6.0 percent in the same period last year. Year to date, comps are down 5.3 percent, compared to an increase of 3.8 percent last year.
During period two, Carl's Jr. debuted the Kentucky Bourbon Burger on March 11, but media support for the product was only in place for the final week of period two. The Six Dollar Burger version features a charbroiled 100 percent Black Angus beef patty topped with a zero proof, sweet Kentucky bourbon sauce, onion straws, Pepperjack cheese, lettuce and tomato. Carl's Jr. also introduced Jumbo Chili Dogs, a Farmer John hot dog topped with spicy beef chili, onions and mustard.
Hardee's same-store sales for period two were up 3.1 percent, compared to a decline of 2.1 percent in the same period last year and following a period one same-store sales increase of 3.2 percent. Year to date, comps were up 3.2 percent.
During period two, Hardee's promoted the Chicken Parmesan sandwich and Little Thickburgers at lunch and dinner and at breakfast introduced Texas Toast Breakfast Sandwiches, featuring two slices of grilled and buttered Texas toast, egg, American cheese and a choice of bacon, sausage or ham.
"While period two blended same-store sales decreased 2.7 percent, it is important to emphasize the headwinds we faced from the ongoing deep discounting of low-quality menu items by our competitors, which negatively impacted sales at both our brands. In addition, Carl's Jr. rolled over the most difficult sales comparison of the year for either brand and transitioned into a new product offering during the latter half of the period," chief executive officer Andrew F. Puzder said.
"We are working diligently to get Carl's Jr. back on the positive same-store sales track to which we are accustomed, although the poor condition of the California economy, which is worse than most other states, makes growing sales particularly difficult at this time. Carl's Jr. made progress in this respect during the period as its two-year same-store sales results improved from negative 2.2 percent in period one to negative 1.0 percent in period two."
The company will report same-store sales results for period three of fiscal year 2010, ending April 20 on or about April 29.
