October 3, 2010
CKE Restaurants' Pink Star fundraiser to fight breast cancer has surpassed its goal of $1 million. The program, now in its sixth year, ran from April 28 through May 18 at Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants throughout the United States.
Money raised during the three-week, in-store fundraiser has been donated to the National Breast Cancer Foundation to fund its ongoing National Mammography Program. The program provides free mammograms to underserved women at participating medical facilities throughout the country.
Guests who donated $1 received a commemorative pink Happy Star to personalize and display in the restaurant lobby. The donation also earned guests coupons to use toward future visits.
Printed materials for the Pink Star program were donated by SynqSolutions, Inc. of Atlanta.
This year's official tally was $1,010,000, surpassing last year's $1 million milestone, which was the largest one-time gift ever given to the NBCF.
The Pink Star program began in 2005 by Carl's Jr.'s franchise body, the Star Franchise Association. In its inaugural year, it raised $175,000. The next year, company-owned Carl's Jr.'s joined in the effort, and Hardee's jumped on board in 2007.
Since it began, the Pink Star campaign has generated more than $4.1 million.
“The loyal customers of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s have stepped up once again and given generously in support of breast cancer awareness and the National Breast Cancer Foundation,” said Andrew F. Puzder, chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants. “We could not be more proud of our guests, as well as our dedicated franchisees and staff, whose enthusiasm and generosity over the past six years has made this program a great success.”