CKE Restaurants opens 700th international location
CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc, parent company of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, opened its 700th international restaurant in Christchurch, New Zealand, last week, according to a company press release. Operated by franchisee Restaurant Brands New Zealand, this 700th restaurant follows the company's back-to-back openings in Australia in February and Japan in March.
CKE is on track to continue its global expansion with new market entries slated for Kenya later this month, Cambodia in the summer and both Nicaragua and Belarus later this year.
"With the opening of our 700th international restaurant coming fresh on the heels of successful back-to-back market entries for the brand in Australia and Japan, CKE has demonstrated significant growth momentum worldwide," said Ned Lyerly, president, international, CKE Restaurants. "But we're not satisfied yet; we're looking forward to taking the company to the next level by aggressively expanding to new markets like Western Europe, Kenya, Cambodia, Nicaragua and Belarus while at the same time elevating our footprint in existing and thriving markets like Canada, Mexico and Latin America this year."
CKE and franchisee Ostaford Pty Ltd opened the doors of its first Carl's Jr. restaurant on Feb. 2 in Bateau Bay, Australia. Opening month's sales in this location ranked in the top five for CKE International openings. Later this year, additional Carl's Jr. restaurants will open at the Brisbane and Hobart airports with 10 more planned throughout the central, mid- and northern New South Wales coasts.
The first Carl's Jr. restaurant in Japan opened on March 4 in Tokyo. Operated by Carl's Jr. Japan Inc, a subsidiary of Mitsuuroko Group Holdings Co Ltd, the restaurant is the first of a multi-unit development agreement between CKE and MGHD to develop 150 Carl's Jr. restaurants in Japan over the next 10 years.
"We knew our brand filled a void in the international market for a premium quality burger experience at the price and convenience of fast food — and the enthusiasm for our openings in Australia and Japan already prove it," said Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants. "We're nearly 20 percent franchised outside the U.S. and this milestone not only showcases the strength of our brand and business offerings worldwide but also reaffirms our belief in the tremendous growth potential of our brand in international markets."
Source: QSR Web - 16th March 2016
