Iconic American quick-service restaurant brand to create 145 new jobs
NASHVILLE – Tennessee Gov. Bill Haslam, Department of Economic and Community Development Commissioner Bob Rolfe and CKE Restaurants, Inc. (CKE) officials announced today that the company will expand its headquarters operations in Franklin.
CKE, parent to the Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® sister chains, will invest $3.6 million and create 145 jobs in Williamson County.
“I appreciate CKE for choosing to expand operations at its headquarters in Franklin and for creating more than 140 new jobs in Williamson County,” Haslam said. “We are grateful that Tennessee is home to CKE, and it means a great deal that this well-known brand has chosen to grow in our state. With continued investments from partners like CKE, Tennessee will lead in the creation of high-quality jobs.”
“I want to thank CKE for choosing to expand its headquarters in Franklin,” Rolfe said. “Since 2011, more than 34,000 jobs have been created in the business services sector and I appreciate CKE for continuing to grow this sector by creating 145 new jobs in Franklin. I look forward to seeing CKE’s continued success in our state and our future partnership.”
CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. owns, operates and franchises some of the most popular brands in the quick-service restaurant industry, including the Carl’s Jr.®, Hardee’s®, Green Burrito® and Red Burrito® restaurant brands. The CKE system includes more than 3,300 restaurant locations in 42 states and in 28 countries.
In April 2016, CKE announced it would locate its headquarters in Franklin, Tenn.
“As we look back on our first year here in the Nashville area, we remain excited for the opportunities we see in both job creation within our surrounding communities, as well as the continued growth of our business,” Jim Sullivan, head of development for CKE Restaurants Inc., said. “We are thrilled to be part of the Middle Tennessee community and deeply value our partnership with the State of Tennessee – a partnership that has enabled us to invest heavily in both local talent and technology.”
CKE plans to add approximately 47,000 square feet to its current facility in Williamson County. With this expansion, the company will be hiring employees to fill office support, IT, finance, risk management and international operations jobs at its Franklin headquarters.
Local leaders and the Tennessee Valley Authority thanked CKE for its investment in Franklin.
“This is one of many examples of our existing companies, many of whom are national and global corporations, choosing to reinvest and grow here because it is a great place to do business and raise a family,” Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson said.
“We are thrilled to see CKE already expanding its presence in Franklin after experiencing the community’s great quality of life and business-friendly environment,” Franklin Mayor Ken Moore said. “We look forward to many more years of partnering with CKE and its employees.”
“TVA and Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation congratulate CKE on its decision to expand operations in Williamson County and create additional job opportunities,” said TVA Senior Vice President of Economic Development John Bradley. “Helping facilitate job creation is fundamental to TVA’s mission of service and we are proud to partner with Williamson Inc., City of Franklin, Williamson County and Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development to help further that mission.”
Franklin and Williamson County are represented by Sen. Jack Johnson (R – Franklin), Rep. Glen Casada (R – Franklin), Rep. Charles Sargent (R – Franklin) and Rep. Sam Whitson (R – Franklin) in the Tennessee General Assembly.
About CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (“CKE”) is a privately held company headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif. Through its subsidiaries, CKE owns and licenses Carl’s Jr.® and Hardee’s® quick-service restaurants. CKE operates Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s as one brand under two names acknowledging the regional heritage of both banners. After opening its first restaurants in New York and New Jersey this spring and recent international openings in Canada, Colombia and Guatemala, CKE now has a total of 3,678 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 44 states and 38 foreign countries and U.S. territories. Known for its one-of-a-kind premium menu items such as 100 percent Black Angus Thickburgers®, Made from Scratch™ Biscuits, Hand-Breaded Chicken Tenders™ and Fresh Baked Buns, as well as an award-winning marketing approach, the Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s brand continues to deliver substantial and consistent growth in the U.S. and overseas. The Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s system is now 92 percent franchised, with international restaurants representing 19 percent of the system. For more information about CKE, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.
About the Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development
The Tennessee Department of Economic and Community Development’s mission is to develop strategies that help make Tennessee the No. 1 location in the Southeast for high quality jobs. To grow and strengthen Tennessee, the department seeks to attract new corporate investment to the state and works with Tennessee companies to facilitate expansion and economic growth. Find us on the web: tnecd.com. Follow us on Twitter and Instagram: @tnecd. Like us on Facebook: facebook.com/tnecd.
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