CARPINTERIA Calif. CKE Restaurants Inc., based here, has sold 26 Hardee’s restaurants to a franchisee in Illinois as part of a previously announced refranchising strategy.
Shree Krishna Food LLC has agreed to take over the 26 corporate units in the Peoria and Quincy, Ill., markets. The franchisee also plans to open six new Hardee's locations in the same areas over the next six years.
Earlier this year, CKE announced plans to sell more than 200 units in the Midwest and Southeast to focus more on development of both Hardee's and sister brand Carl's Jr. in core markets. To date, 106 Hardee's units have been sold to franchisees and the company has commitments for another 44 new franchise units.
CKE Restaurants operates or franchises 1,909 Hardee's and 1,111 Carl's Jr. restaurants in 42 states and 13 countries.