CARPINTERIA Calif. CKE Restaurants Inc. plans to sell more than 200 Hardee's units in the Midwest and Southeast to franchisees and emphasize development in the chain's core markets.
Andrew Puzder, CKE's president and chief executive, said the refranchising would free up resources for the development of more company-run units of Hardee's, the St. Louis-based burger chain with a concentration of units in the Southeast.
CKE recently sold 18 units in Atlanta to franchisee Biscuits and Burgers LLC, which has also committed to build 25 new Hardee's locations in the area over the next seven years. The Atlanta market will be co-developed by CKE.
The company also sold seven units in Alabama and Georgia to franchisee Ponder Enterprises Inc., co-owned by Dan Ponder, who is also a member of CKE's board of directors.
CKE owns or franchises 1,906 Hardee's, 1,087 Carl's Jr., and 96 La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill restaurants in 43 states and 13 countries.
