CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s®, the sister restaurant chains best known for their creatively decadent, premium burger offerings, continue that trend with today’s launch of every bacon lover’s dream come true: the new Bacon 3-Way Burger, available at participating restaurants nationwide.
Served on a brioche-style bun, the Bacon 3-Way Thickburger comes piled high with lettuce, tomato, American cheese and three types of bacon, atop a juicy 1/3-lb., charbroiled 100 percent Black Angus beef patty. In addition to featuring two traditional bacon ingredients — thick-cut, Applewood-smoked bacon strips and crumbled bacon — the Bacon 3-Way Burger will introduce another fast food first: bacon jam, which combines bacon pieces, balsamic vinegar, caramelized onions and molasses to create a game-changing new condiment.
“There’s no question that bacon has become one of the most popular and beloved food items in America, not only found on menus everywhere in its traditional strip form, but it’s showing up in new ways all the time,” said Brad Haley, chief marketing officer for Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. “At Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, we pride ourselves on our ability to bring things to fast food consumers that they previously could only get at sit-down restaurants for a lot more money, which led us to the Bacon 3-Way Burger. Sure, the Bacon 3-Way Burger has plenty of bacon in the form of thick-cut, Applewood-smoked bacon strips and crumbled bacon, but the real star is the bacon jam, which is starting to show up on fine-dining and casual-dining menus across the country. It’s a little sweet, a little savory and a lot bacon-y, so what’s not to love?”
According to Diana Kelter, foodservice analyst with global market intelligence agency Mintel, bacon jam saw a compound annual growth rate of 50 percent on U.S. menus between 2013 and 2016. Kelter has further discussed that bacon jam fits squarely within the trend towards sweet and savory menu combinations, and within burgers, it provides a new flavor sensation, while still utilizing ingredients diners are familiar with, creating a stronger sense of comfort.
The Bacon 3-Way Burger is available as a single patty for $4.49, a double patty for $5.49, and as a 100 percent Black Angus beef, 1/3-lb. Thickburger for $5.49, all of which can be ordered as a combo meal with fries and a drink starting at $6.99; prices may vary by location.
Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s will promote the Bacon 3-Way Burger with a new ad campaign titled “Fantasty,” featuring three beautiful female talent: famed Sports Illustrated model, Genevieve Morton, as well as social media stars, Emily Sears, and Elena Belle. Developed by Los Angeles-, New York- and Amsterdam-based creative agency 72andSunny, the commercial will begin airing on TV nationally on July 28 as well as on the chains’ YouTube channels.
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 3,694 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, and Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™, 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 94 percent franchised, with international restaurants representing 93 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.
