News

Carl's Jr., Hardee's plan entries in Denmark, Guatemala, Puerto Rico

April 9, 2013

CKE Restaurants hit a growth milestone this week with the 500th international restaurant opening of its Carl's Jr. and Hardee's brands. On April 6, Bright Star LLC, exclusive developer of Carl's Jr. restaurants in Russia, opened its newest Carl's Jr. in Balkania, St. Petersburg, Russia.

Bright Star, one of CKE Restaurants Holding, Inc.'s leading international franchisee partners, recently entered into a master franchise agreement that will expand the brand's presence in the Russian market.

Additionally this week, Kuwait Food Company opened Hardee's stores in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. CKE Restaurants and Kuwait Food Company have a 25-year relationship that will see the Hardee's restaurant brand alone hit the 250th store mark later this year.

"Achieving this 500th international restaurant milestone is a true testament to the global strength of our brands, to our franchise partners and the company's commitment to rapidly expanding our presence in foreign markets," said Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc.

CKE Restaurants has opened148 new international restaurants throughout the last two years, marking the first time in the company's history that international development outpaced domestic growth. The company opened restaurants in 10 new countries in that time, including Turkey, Panama, Kazakhstan, Canada, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Thailand, The Dominican Republic and Brazil.

The company plans to double its presence in the next five years with market entries planned for Denmark, Guatemala and Puerto Rico.

"We have a strong group of international franchisees," said Ned Lyerly, executive vice president of International Development for CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. "With their enthusiasm and passion for developing the brand, we are confident that our goal of opening our 1,000th international Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurant within the next five years is very achievable."

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