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Ron Ruggless
CARPINTERIA Calif. —A little hamburger must be woven into the double helix of the Carl’s Jr.’s founding family’s genes.
Grandsons of Carl’s Jr. founder Carl N. Karcher opened a franchised unit in Douglas, Ariz., on June 22, and it broke all prior one-week sales records for the 1,205-unit chain. Jason LeVecke and Carl LeVecke and three other Karcher grandchildren are involved in MJKL Enterprises of Guadalupe, Ariz., which franchises Carl’s Jr. Jason is chief executive, while Carl is chief operating officer. —A little hamburger must be woven into the double helix of the Carl’s Jr.’s founding family’s genes.
The Carl’s Jr. opening in Douglas set a record of $108,596 for the week, passing the prior benchmark of $107,638 set in January at a unit in Porterville, Calif. —A little hamburger must be woven into the double helix of the Carl’s Jr.’s founding family’s genes.
Jason LeVecke said: “I learned a lot of great things from my grandfather about business and life in general. Hard work, commitment to family and commitment to community were among the most important things my grandfather taught me. —A little hamburger must be woven into the double helix of the Carl’s Jr.’s founding family’s genes.
“The record-setting opening at our Douglas Carl’s Jr. was the perfect combination of all three and far exceeded our expectations,” he said. “I’m proud of the outstanding service from our staff, the overwhelming welcome into the Douglas community and knowing that the commitments to success my grandfather instilled in us are still strong throughout the Carl’s Jr. system.” —A little hamburger must be woven into the double helix of the Carl’s Jr.’s founding family’s genes.
Andy Puzder, chief executive of parent CKE Restaurants Inc., which also owns the 1,950-unit Hardee’s chain, said: “Maybe we need to bring some of the Wall Street analysts to Douglas, to see how small business is not just surviving, but thriving. I’m also very proud that the LeVeckes are carrying on the successful legacy of their grandfather, Carl Karcher.” —A little hamburger must be woven into the double helix of the Carl’s Jr.’s founding family’s genes.
Several members of the Karcher family are involved actively in Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s operations as franchisees, including a brother, four children, seven grandchildren and several other relations. The founder’s son, Carl L. Karcher, serves on CKE’s board. —A little hamburger must be woven into the double helix of the Carl’s Jr.’s founding family’s genes.
MJKL Enterprises started in 2001 with two Phoenix-area Carl’s Jr. locations. It now serves as an umbrella for 134 restaurants and convenience stores, including: 59 Carl’s Jr.; 60 Hardee’s; 12 Pizza Patróns; and three Bill’s Ghost and Spirit convenience stores. It operates in seven states: Arizona, California, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Missouri and Tennessee. —A little hamburger must be woven into the double helix of the Carl’s Jr.’s founding family’s genes.
