News

Carl's Jr. heading to the Bahamas

January 9, 2012

CKE Restaurants Inc. has entered into a definitive development agreement with AML Foods Limited to build Carl's Jr. restaurants in the Bahamas throughout the next five years. The first restaurant is scheduled to open later this year.

AML is a Bahamian company with experience in foodservices, retail and club store operations. AML Foods Limited Food Distribution includes its retail division – Solomon's SuperCenter Nassau, Solomon's Freeport and Solomon's Fresh Market – and its club division - Cost Right Nassau and Cost Right Freeport. The company's Franchise Division consists of 11 Domino's Pizza locations in Nassau and Freeport.

"The Bahamas is an attractive quick-service restaurant market and AML's strong track record in consumer retailing and the food services industry makes them an ideal partner for us," said Ned Lyerly, executive vice president of Global Franchise Development for CKE Restaurants. "We share their core values of exceeding consumer expectations for quality, value and service and know that the Carl's Jr. brand will be well received in the Bahamas. Consumers all over the globe have a healthy appetite for our great-tasting premium products."

Gavin Watchorn, president and CEO of AML Foods, added that the brand's innovative product line and unique marketing will resonate in the Bahamas.

"Carl's Jr. offers a premium positioning and best-in-class products, services and facilities which were very appealing to us," Watchorn said.

CKE's restaurant network has expanded to 3,219 restaurants in 25 countries with annual sales of $3.4 billion. CKE continues to place a major emphasis on expanding its international presence and now operates more than 419 franchise restaurants outside of the U.S.

Last month, the chain signed an agreement to open in Costa Rica. Carl's Jr. also made its debut in New Zealand and Canada in the summer of 2011. Other markets recently on the brand's radar include Turkey, Panama and Indonesia.

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