CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (“CKE”) is proud to announce that its chains Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s®, which operate as one brand under two names, generated the highest net increase in U.S. locations among all freestanding hamburger drive-thru restaurants chains during calendar year 2015, according to Restaurant Trends’ YearEnd 2015 QSR MarketSHARE Report.
This data reflects net new U.S. openings or the difference between new restaurant openings and closures for the calendar year. Hardee’s, with 33 net openings, and Carl’s Jr., with four net openings, set CKE’s industry-leading mark of +37 - out-performing heavy-hitting competitors such as McDonald’s, Burger King, and Wendy’s. The closest competitor was Burger King with -1 net new openings for the year.
“This type of category growth is impressive,” said Peter DeBiase, president of Restaurant Trends. “CKE holds a strong presence in the industry and is gaining significant momentum among the best of the best in the fast food space.”
“In the quick service restaurant industry, having the highest net increase in drive-thru locations means your business model is working. This is the category you really want to lead,” said Andy Puzder, chief executive officer of CKE. “When new openings exceed closures, you’re creating new jobs, new careers and new growth opportunities in the communities you serve. Our franchisees generate the great majority of our new unit growth and we are very grateful for and encouraged by their success. We can’t wait to top it in 2016.”
CKE’s overall franchise community has experienced substantial and sustained growth over the past decade both internationally and domestically. Carl’s Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee’s Restaurants LLC now have a total of 3,682 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 38 foreign countries and U.S. territories.
Follow Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s on Facebook (www.facebook.com/carlsjr and www.facebook.com/hardees), Twitter (@CarlsJr and @Hardees) and Instagram (@CarlsJr and @Hardees) for the latest product news and promotional offers. Download the Super Star® Rewards app from the iTunes Store and Google Play and check in to redeem Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s products on the spot, save points for a high-value reward, check out the full menu, and use the store locator to find any Carl’s Jr. or Hardee’s in the U.S.
About CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (“CKE”) is a privately held company headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif. CKE is not a franchisor and conducts substantially all of its restaurant activities and operations through its subsidiaries. Carl’s Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee’s Restaurants LLC own, operate and franchise the Carl’s Jr., Hardee’s, Green Burrito® and Red Burrito® concepts. Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s operate as one brand under two names, acknowledging the rich regional heritage of both banners. After opening their first restaurants in New York and New Jersey last spring and recent international openings in Japan, Australia, Canada, Colombia and Guatemala, Carl’s Jr. Restaurants LLC and Hardee’s Restaurants LLC now have a total of 3,682 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 38 foreign countries and U.S. territories. Known for its one-of-a-kind premium menu items such as 100 percent Black Angus Thickburgers®, Made from Scratch™ Biscuits, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™ and Fresh Baked Buns, as well as an award-winning marketing approach, the Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s brand continues to deliver substantial and consistent growth in the U.S. and overseas. The Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s system is now 93 percent franchised, with international restaurants representing 19 percent of the system. For more information about CKE, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.
