Carl’s Jr. has expanded its “More Bang, Less Buck” value meal to more than half of its more than 1,000 locations, the quick-service burger chain said Wednesday, adding that it plans to introduce it to more locations in the autumn.
The menu, which offers 10 items, each for less than $4, was offered at a few select restaurants earlier this summer, a company spokesperson said.
The menu includes the Spicy Chicken Sandwich, six Chicken Stars (Carl’s Jr’s version of nuggets), a small drink, small fries, chocolate chip cookie, and shake, as well as four small burgers:
Cali Jr.: Beef patty, American cheese, grilled onions, Classic sauce, lettuce, and tomato on a toasted four-inch bun
Jalapeño Jr.: Beef patty, pepper Jack cheese, pickled jalapeños, Santa Fe sauce (a creamy Southwestern-inspired sauce with cumin, chile, and paprika), tomato, and lettuce on a toasted bun
Bacon Cheese Jr: Beef patty, American cheese, two strips of bacon, tomato, lettuce, and mayonnaise on a toasted four-inch bun
Guac Jr.: Beef patty, guacamole, Swiss cheese, mayonnaise, tomato, and lettuce on a toasted four-inch bun.
Additionally, the chain, a subsidiary of Franklin, Tenn.-based CKE Restaurant Holdings, is allowing guests to add an extra beef patty to any burger for 99 cents, although participation in that may vary.
“Carl’s Jr. guests won’t settle for any old value meal – they want bold, craveable flavors, all without breaking the bank,” vice president of brand marketing Anthony Nguyen said in a statement. “‘More Bang, Less Buck’ offers the bold ingredients Carl’s Jr. is known for, like crispy bacon, fresh guacamole, and fiery jalapenos, and we’re really proud to deliver a budget-conscious menu that doesn’t sacrifice on adventurous flavors.”
The “More Bang, Less Buck” meal joins another Carl’s Jr. value offering, the 2 for $6 Double Take, which offers customers a choice of any two of the following: French Toast Dips, small Hash Rounds, a Spicy Chicken Sandwich, a six-piece order of Chicken Stars, a small order of fries, a small cheeseburger, or a Spicy Lil’ Cheeseburger.
This is the latest in a flurry of value menus that have been introduced recently as customers, particularly low-income ones, have been pulling back on their spending, resulting in declining sales at most restaurant chains across the country, according to recent earnings reports.
CKE is privately owned, mostly by private equity firm Roark Capital, based in Atlanta.
Quick-service chains McDonald’s, Burger King, Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, Taco John’s, KFC, and Carl’s Jr.’s own sibling brand, Hardee’s, have all introduced value menus since May.
Contact Bret Thorn at [email protected]
