CKE Restaurants opens first Carl's Jr. restaurant in Turkey; Istanbul location the first of at least 25 Carl's Jr. locations to open in Turkey over next six years

Kendall Sinclair

CARPINTERIA, California , April 12, 2011 (press release) – Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc., today announced the opening of the first Carl’s Jr.® restaurant in Istanbul, Turkey. The restaurant, located in the popular Cevahir Shopping Mall in central Istanbul, marks the first of at least 25 Carl’s Jr. locations to be opened in Turkey over the next six years. The restaurants will be operated by FET Restoran Isletmeleri A.S.

The entry of Carl’s Jr. into Turkey is part of a strategic plan by CKE Restaurants to accelerate franchise development in international markets and grow the system as a whole. The 25 restaurant development deal is part of a greater development plan that CKE has for the region.

”We are very pleased to welcome FET Restoran Isletmeleri A.S., as a member of the Carl’s Jr. franchise family. The strength of our brand matched with the strong management depth and expertise of FET Restoran Isletmeleri A.S. in the QSR sector will secure a bright future for Carl’s Jr. in the Turkish market,” said Puzder. “We believe the Turkish market has tremendous potential for our brand given the strength of its economy, the youthful population base and an appreciation for premium-quality burgers. It is also a gateway for European expansion.”

"We are very excited to launch Carl’s Jr. in Turkey with our great partner CKE Restaurants. We are determined to make Carl’s Jr. the leading QSR brand in Turkey by providing premium, high-quality menu items, premium facilities, and exceptional customer service,” said Mr. Nurhan Azizoglu, General Manager of FET Restoran Isletmeleri A.S. “We have aggressive growth plans for Turkey and hope to make Carl’s Jr. the destination of choice for Turkish consumers.”

Currently, CKE franchises 363 international restaurants between both its Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s® brands. The company has strategic development plans to double its International presence within the next five years.

About Carl’s Jr.

Carl’s Jr. is celebrating 70 years in the quick-service industry. What began as a lone hot dog cart in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1941 is today a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. of Carpinteria, Calif. As of the end of fiscal 2011, CKE, through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,159 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 19 countries, including 1,249 Carl's Jr. restaurants and 1,899 Hardee's restaurants. For more information, or to find a Carl’s Jr. near you, go to www.carlsjr.com. Carl’s Jr. social media sites include www.facebook.com/carlsjr, www.twitter.com/carlsjr and www.youtube.com/carlsjr.

About FET Restoran Isletmeleri A.S.

FET Resotran Isletmeleri, A.S. is a food service company with the development rights to open 25 Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Turkey over the next six years.

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