News

Carl's Jr., Hardee's raise $1.1M for US military families

November 11, 2014

CKE Restaurants Holdings, parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant chains, today reported its annual Stars for Heroes in-store fundraising campaign raised more than $1.1 million this year to benefit US military families and veterans.

Funds raised in 2014 will go directly to national beneficiaries USA Cares and Dream Foundation’s “Dreams for Veterans” as well as to regional military charities. The brands have hosted the Stars for Heroes program at company and franchise-owned restaurants since 2011, raising more than $3.5 million in that time. This year's fundraiser generated the largest amount raised for the campaign.

“Supporting active duty and military veterans is part of our Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s heritage,” CEO Andy Puzder said in a news release. “I’m very proud of our CKE employees, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s franchisees and restaurant crews who made this happen. Despite the economically challenging times we live in, our customers and employees stepped up and demonstrated an outpouring of support for the brave men and women of the U.S. military who will receive these funds for their times in need.”

Puzder, CKE Restaurants, the Star Franchise Association (Carl’s Jr. franchisees) and the International Hardee’s Franchise Association were recently honored for their commitment to USA Cares at the charity’s annual gala in Louisville, Kentucky.

In addition to the two national beneficiaries, CKE selected Lone Survivor Foundation and Stand Up and Play to receive Stars for Heroes funds. Dozens of other regional charities also were selected by the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s franchise associations.