CARPINTERIA, Calif., Aug. 7 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CKE Restaurants,Inc. (NYSE: CKR) announced today that Carl's Jr.(R), one of its subsidiaryhamburger chains, has opened its first flagship restaurant in Kuala Lumpur,Malaysia. The franchise restaurant opened on Monday, July 23 and is thefifth of 25 that will be opened over the next six years as per an agreementwith Singapore-based franchisee Aspac F&B SDN. BHD. Aspac has beenoperating Carl's Jr. restaurants in Singapore since 2005, and is excited toenter the Malaysia market. "We are very pleased to see Aspac expand their presence across theAsia-Pacific region by opening their first Carl's Jr. franchise restaurantin Malaysia. This is a dynamic market with a strong appetite forgreat-tasting food, and the premium hamburgers offered at Carl's Jr. willbe a perfect fit," said Ned Lyerly, senior vice president of globalfranchise development for CKE Restaurants, Inc. "We are equally pleased to have such a strong partner in Aspac. Theirknowledge of operating Carl's Jr. restaurants in Singapore and theirpassion for the Carl's Jr. brand are a winning combination," said MichaelWoida, vice president - international for CKE Restaurants, Inc. Global franchise development for CKE Restaurants, Inc. subsidiarychains Carl's Jr. and Hardee's(R) is a focus for the company, andinternational restaurant presence currently exceeds 255 restaurants in 14countries. There are approximately 3,022 franchise- and company-ownedrestaurants between the two chains system wide. "Our goal is to take a leadership position in the quick casual diningsegment by offering premium burgers that emphasize quality, hospitableservice with excellent ambience," said Mason Tan, chief executive officerof Aspac F&B SDN. BHD. "After a successful launch of the Carl's Jr. brandin Singapore in 2005, it became clear that Carl's Jr.'s unique market andbranding positioning combined with its focus on product innovation make itstand out from the rest of the F&B players in Malaysia. We are certaincustomers will enjoy our value proposition centered around great tasting,premium products that are built for taste. We look forward to many morerestaurant openings and success in the future." Carl's Jr. is celebrating more than 65 years in the quick-serviceindustry. What began as a lone hot dog cart in Los Angeles, Calif. in 1941is today an international organization that employs nearly 30,000 peopleworldwide. Carl's Jr. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc.(NYSE: CKR) of Carpinteria, Calif. As of the first fiscal quarter ended May21, 2007, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of3,022 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 43 states and in 14countries, including 1,101 Carl's Jr. restaurants, 1,905 Hardee's(R)restaurants. For more information, or to find a Carl's Jr. near you, go tohttp://www.ckr.com or http://www.carlsjr.com. Safe Harbor Disclosure Matters discussed in this news release contain forward-lookingstatements relating to future plans and developments, financial goals andoperating performance that are based on management's current beliefs andassumptions. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties thatare often difficult to predict, are beyond the Company's control and whichmay cause results to differ materially from expectations. Factors thatcould cause the Company's results to differ materially from those describedinclude, but are not limited to, whether or not restaurants will be closedand the number of restaurant closures, consumers' concerns or adversepublicity regarding the Company's products, the effectiveness of operatinginitiatives and advertising and promotional efforts (particularly at theHardee's brand), changes in economic conditions or prevailing interestrates, changes in the price or availability of commodities, availabilityand cost of energy, workers' compensation and general liability premiumsand claims experience, changes in the Company's suppliers' ability toprovide quality and timely products to the Company, delays in opening newrestaurants or completing remodels, severe weather conditions, theoperational and financial success of the Company's franchisees,franchisees' willingness to participate in the Company's strategies, theavailability of financing for the Company and its franchisees, unfavorableoutcomes in litigation, changes in accounting policies and practices,effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, newlegislation or government regulation (including environmental laws), theavailability of suitable locations and terms for the sites designated fordevelopment, and other factors as discussed in the Company's filings withthe Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. TheCompany undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise anyforward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, futureevents or otherwise, except as required by law or the rules of the New YorkStock Exchange.
