CKE Restaurants Announces Hardee's Expansion Plans Across Minneapolis, Minn.

CARPINTERIA, Calif., July 16, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- CKE Restaurants, Inc., announced today its intent to develop new Hardee's® restaurants throughout the Minneapolis, Minn. area. The company is seeking to expand its Minneapolis footprint over the next several years and sees the potential to develop more than 59 new restaurants in the market. Currently, Hardee's operates 21 locations within the Minneapolis area.

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Actively seeking new franchisees, Hardee's will host an Executive Roundtable on July 31 in Minneapolis from noon to 2 p.m. to share information about the benefits of owning a Hardee's restaurant and specific opportunities in the market. To attend the Roundtable or schedule an individual meeting, please visit www.ckefranchise.com/Success to complete the registration form.

"Hardee's is ranked among the highest quality and best tasting brands in the burger segment and is recognized for our consistent track record of sales growth and solid unit economics," said Jim Sullivan, CKE's Sr. Vice President of Domestic Franchise Development. "We are excited to expand in the Minneapolis area, and we're now looking for experienced multi-unit operators to join the brand."

Qualified candidates should possess a minimum net worth of $1 million and a minimum liquidity of $300,000.  Franchisees can expect an initial investment of $1.1 million, including the franchise fee. Additional franchise information is available at www.ckefranchise.com.

"Our commitment at Hardee's to serve premium-quality, great-tasting food is rivaled only by our commitment to the success of our franchisees," continued Sullivan.

Started in North Carolina in 1960, Hardee's has been a local favorite for more than 50 years. Although most people know Hardee's for its Made from Scratch Biscuits™, that changed in 2003 with the launch of the 100% Black Angus Beef Thickburger® line.  The sit-down-restaurant-quality Thickburgers established Hardee's as a leader in the quick service industry in quality and taste.  Today, Hardee's forges ahead with an attractive franchise centric business model featuring a strong brand heritage, iconic memorable ads, an innovative menu, solid unit economics and dual branding options with Mexican concept Red Burrito.

About Hardee's

Celebrating more than 50 years in the quick-service industry, Hardee's Food Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. of Carpinteria, Calif. As of the end of Q1 fiscal 2013, the Company, through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,263 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 25 countries, including 1,322 Carl's Jr.® restaurants and 1,932 Hardee's restaurants.. For more information, or to find a Hardee's near you, go to www.hardees.com. Hardee's social media sites include www.facebook.com/hardees, www.twitter.com/hardees, and www.youtube.com/hardees.

Contact:
Elayne Sommers
Fish Consulting
954.893.9150
[email protected]

SOURCE CKE Restaurants, Inc.