History of Carl's Jr.

It all started in 1941 with one good idea - to offer guests a quality product with superior service. Company founder, Carl Karcher, and his wife, Margaret, borrowed $311 on their Plymouth automobile and added $15 of their own money to purchase their first hot dog cart in south central Los Angeles California. They sold hot dogs, chilidogs, and tamales for $.10 and soda pop for $.05. The first day's receipts totaled just $14.75, but it was the beginning of the road to success.

By the end of the 1940's, Carl had established a chain of carts and the Carl's Drive-in Barbecue Restaurant in Anaheim, California. The new restaurant provided an opportunity to offer charbroiled hamburgers. People drove from miles around to sample Carl's quality hamburgers and soon, their popularity led to the opening of a chain of restaurants, aptly named Carl's Jr. (since they were "junior" versions of his original Carl's Drive-in Barbecue).

What started as one man's dream for success has resulted in a multi-million dollar reality. We invite you to learn more about our history, our operating philosophy, our people and the heart of our business, culture and traditions.

Carl's Jr. Restaurants is owned and operated by Carl Karcher Enterprises, Inc., a publicly held corporation with its Administrative Headquarters in Anaheim, California, and Distribution Centers in Anaheim & Manteca, California. CKE operates Carl's Jr. Restaurants throughout California, Nevada, Arizona, Oregon and other western States. We also have franchised restaurants throughout the West, and international restaurants located in Mexico.

Our Company operates franchises of Carl’s Jr. Restaurants. We operate the Carl’s Jr. Restaurants in Livermore, Pleasanton, Pinole, Walnut Creek, Martinez, Vallejo, Benicia, Fairfield, Vacaville, Suisun, Dixon, Tracy, Oakdale and Sonora. We have been franchisees since 1991.

 

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