Operations

Hardee's, Carl's Jr. to get digital, physical overhaul

Provided

May 11, 2022

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., parent company for Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, has announced a digital and physical transformation for its restaurants over the next four to six years. More than 500 locations across 20 markets will be updated, according to a company press release.

The reimaging will focus on renovations, technology advancements and streamlined operations contributing to improved guest, franchisee and team member experiences. CKE, along with its franchise community, will invest a half a billion dollars in the projects, including $60 million from CKE's corporate division. Ninety-five percent of all restaurants have committed to the reimaging efforts.

"The QSR industry is a game changing and unconventional group to be a part of — brands are constantly upping their game to meet the demands of today's evolving consumer," Matthew Walls, chief global development officer of CKE Restaurants, said in the release. "CKE is known for having a finger on the pulse of what customers crave and we have continued to innovate our menus to lean into that, but we are the first to admit that our restaurants haven't kept up. Elevating two brands that are due for much-needed upgrades is no small feat, but one that our team is passionate about. This is just the beginning for the refreshed Carl's Jr. and Hardee's that consumers know and love."

Among the changes are: new signage, brand statement elements, freshly installed interior and exterior digital menu boards, upgraded lighting and bathrooms and subway tiling. A prototype rolled out in Columbia, South Carolina more than two years ago. At that time, the Columbia market's sales were outperformed by the system. Now, Columbia consistently outperforms the system, the release said.

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's have nearly 4,000 franchised or company-owned restaurants in 44 U.S. states and more than 35 international markets and U.S. overseas territories.