CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--CKE Restaurants hit a growth milestone this week with the 500^th international restaurant opening of its Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s brands. On April 6^th, Bright Star LLC, exclusive developer of Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Russia, opened their newest Carl’s Jr. in Balkania, St. Petersburg, Russia. Bright Star, one of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.'s leading international franchisee partners, recently entered into a Master Franchise agreement that will spur the brand’s continued growth in the Russian market.

The race to be the 500^th international store was a close one, with Kuwait Food Company opening Hardee’s stores in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia within one week of the St. Petersburg Carl’s Jr. opening. CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. and Kuwait Food Company have a quarter-century relationship that will see the Hardee’s restaurant brand alone hit the 250^th store mark later this year.

“Achieving this 500^th international restaurant milestone is a true testament to the global strength of our brands, to our franchise partners and the company’s commitment to rapidly expanding our presence in foreign markets,” said Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.

The 500th opening is part of CKE Restaurants’ aggressive international expansion plans which saw the opening of 148 new international restaurants over the last two years, marking the first time in the company’s history that international development outpaced domestic growth. The company opened restaurants in 10 new countries over the past two years, including: Turkey, Panama, Kazakhstan, Canada, New Zealand, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Thailand, The Dominican Republic and Brazil.

International growth prospects remain bright as the company plans to double its presence in the next five years with market entries planned for Denmark, Guatemala and Puerto Rico.

A focus on selling premium products with superior service in restaurants with an upscale, contemporary design continues to differentiate Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s from the competition in new markets.

“We have a strong group of international franchisees,” said Ned Lyerly, executive vice president of International Development for CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. “With their enthusiasm and passion for developing the brand, we are confident that our goal of opening our 1,000th international Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant within the next five years is very achievable.”

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif. As of the end of fiscal 2013, the Company, through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,318 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and 28 foreign countries and U.S. territories worldwide, including 1,369 Carl's Jr.^® restaurants and 1,944 Hardee's^®restaurants. For more information about CKE Restaurants Holdings, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.

Contacts

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
Jenna Petroff
314-259-6277
jpetroff@ckr.com