CKE

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., doing business as CKE or CKE Restaurants, is an American multinational fast-food company that owns and operates two major hamburger brands: Carl's Jr. and Hardee's. The company primarily uses a franchise model and runs hundreds of restaurants worldwide, with the vast majority of locations in the United States.

The origins of the business trace back to Carl N. Karcher, who opened a hot dog stand in 1941 in Anaheim, California. The Carl's Jr. brand expanded in the following decades, evolving into a broader fast-food concept. In 1997, CKE Restaurants acquired the Hardee's chain, creating a two-brand portfolio under a single corporate umbrella and expanding the company's footprint in North America.

Operations and offering: CKE focuses on drive-through service and value-oriented menus. Its core items typically include burgers, fries, chicken sandwiches, and beverages. The company relies on a mix of company-operated and franchised restaurants and provides support services to its franchisees, including marketing, supply chain, and real estate guidance.

Global presence: Carl's Jr. and Hardee's operate in several countries outside the United States, reflecting CKE's multinational footprint. Menu items and branding are often adapted to local tastes, regulatory environments, and market conditions.

Industry context: In the broader fast-food sector, CKE competes with other leading hamburger concepts and participates in trends such as menu innovation, digital ordering, and franchising efficiency. The company remains a notable player in the quick-service restaurant landscape through its two brand platforms.