History and Leadership Changes
- In 1941, Carl Karcher entered the fast food market by purchasing a hot dog cart.
- In 1956, Karcher opened the first Carls Jr. restaurants.
- In 1996, CKE acquired Rallys and Taco Bueno.
- In 1997, CKE acquired Hardees.
- Andrew Puzder was named CEO of CKE Restaurants in 2000.
- Jason Marker was appointed CEO in 2017.
- Ned Lyerly became CEO in 2019.
- CKE Restaurants had a lawsuit filed against them in 2018 alleging age discrimination by CEO Jason Marker.

Fundraising and Social Initiatives
- CKE Restaurants conducts an annual Stars for Heroes fundraising campaign for US military veterans.
- Stars for Heroes raised nearly US$5 million by 2015.
- The campaign started in 2011 and solicits donations from customers at Hardees and Carls Jr. restaurants.
- CKE Restaurants partners with various organizations to support veterans.
- Hardees and Carls Jr. raised $1.4 million for US military charities.
- PETA reached a deal with Hardees and Carls Jr. in 2007.
- CKE Restaurants committed to ending gestation crate pig confinement in 2012.
- Hardees and Carls Jr. committed to group sow housing.
- Carls Jr. introduced a vegan-friendly breakfast burrito with Beyond Meat.

International Expansion
- CKE Restaurants has over 3,800 franchised or company-operated restaurants.
- These restaurants are located in 44 US states and 43 foreign countries and US territories.
- CKE Restaurants has a significant international presence.
- The company operates in various global markets.
- CKE Restaurants continues to expand its international footprint.

Resignation and Withdrawal of Andy Puzder
- Andy Puzder resigned as CEO of CKE Restaurants in 2017.
- Puzder withdrew his nomination for the position of Secretary of Labor.
- His resignation and withdrawal were covered by CNBC, Politico, NPR, and CBS News.
- The Century Foundation mapped Andy Puzder's labor violations.

Labor Violations and Controversial Marketing
- Puzder's company, CKE Restaurants, was accused of underpaying workers.
- Carls Jr. workers detailed mistreatment at Puzder's restaurants.
- The National Employment Law Project reported on the mistreatment.
- Carls Jr. debuted a sexist Super Bowl commercial in 2015.
- Carls Jr. has had various controversial ads throughout the years.
- The ads featured celebrities like Paris Hilton, Kim Kardashian, and Heidi Klum.
- Copy-testing firm Ad Age stated that sex doesn't sell, especially for Carls Jr.

CKE Restaurants (Wikipedia)

CKE Restaurants Holdings (an acronym for Carl Karcher Enterprises) is an American fast food corporation and is the parent organization for the Carl's Jr., Hardee's, Green Burrito, and Red Burrito brands. CKE Restaurants is headquartered in Franklin, Tennessee.

CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.

Type	Subsidiary
Industry	Restaurants
Founded	1956; 68 years ago (1956) in Anaheim, California, US
Founder	Carl Karcher
Headquarters	Franklin, Tennessee , US
Key people	Max Wetzel (CEO)
Revenue	US$1.280 billion (2012)
Operating income	US$68.897 million (2012)
Net income	US$-6.261 million (2012)
Total assets	US$1.480 billion (2012)
Total equity	US$414.7 million (2012)
Number of employees	20,200 (Jan 2012)
Subsidiaries	Carl's Jr. Hardee's Green Burrito Red Burrito
Website	ckr.com
Footnotes / references

In October 2020, CKE Restaurants operated or franchised to locations in 44 US states and 43 foreign countries and US territories.