If you’re a fan of fast food burgers, you may be familiar with the Carl’s Jr. chain. However, you may be surprised to learn that in some parts of the country, Carl’s Jr. is known as Hardee’s. So, why is Carl’s Jr. called Hardee’s in some places? Here’s a closer look at the history of these two restaurant chains:
The origins of Carl’s Jr.
Carl’s Jr. was founded in 1941 by Carl Karcher and his wife Margaret in Los Angeles, California. They named their first restaurant “Carl’s Drive-In Barbecue,” and it quickly became popular for its delicious burgers and fries. In the following decades, the Karchers expanded their business, opening additional Carl’s Jr. locations throughout California and eventually branching out to other states.
The rise of Hardee’s
In the late 1960s, Carl’s Jr. began to franchise its restaurants, allowing other business owners to open and operate Carl’s Jr. locations. One of these franchisees was a man named Wilbur Hardee, who opened his first Hardee’s restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina in 1960. Hardee’s was similar to Carl’s Jr., offering burgers, fries, and other fast food items.
The merger of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s
In the early 1980s, Carl’s Jr. experienced financial difficulties and was forced to sell a majority of its company to another restaurant chain, Hardee’s Food Systems. As part of the deal, Hardee’s Food Systems acquired the rights to the Carl’s Jr. name and logo. However, because Hardee’s was already an established brand in many parts of the country, it was decided that the Carl’s Jr. restaurants would be rebranded as Hardee’s in those areas.
The present-day Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s
Today, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s are two separate restaurant chains that are owned by the same company. However, the two brands have different menus and operate under different names depending on their location. In the western United States, Carl’s Jr. restaurants can be found, while in the eastern and southern United States, Hardee’s restaurants can be found.
Despite the name change, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s have remained popular fast food chains, known for their delicious burgers and other menu items. So, the next time you’re craving a Carl’s Jr. burger and can’t find one, keep an eye out for a Hardee’s restaurant – it might just be the same thing!
I hope this article helps explain the history of Carl’s Jr. and how it became known as Hardee’s in some parts of the country. Whether you’re a fan of Carl’s Jr. or Hardee’s, both chains offer delicious burgers and other fast food items that are sure to satisfy your cravings.