Carl's Jr.

A bankrupt Carl's Jr. franchisee blames its financial problems on California's $20 wage

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 08, 2026

Sun Gir, which operates 59 of the fast-food operator’s locations in Southern California, said the higher wage and the brand’s own struggles combined to put the company into Chapter 11.

Financing

A big Carl's Jr. franchisee has filed for bankruptcy

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 06, 2026

A group of companies owned by Friendly Franchisees Corporation, which operates 67 locations of the burger chain in California, has declared Chapter 11 bankruptcy.

Premium

Financing

Dave's Hot Chicken provides Roark Capital with some needed growth

By Jonathan Maze on Jun. 04, 2025

The Bottom Line: More than half of the private-equity firm’s restaurant chains shrunk last year, including Arby’s, Subway and Sonic. And only six of its chains, not counting Dave’s, grew more than average.

Leadership

Joe Guith named CEO of Hardee's and Carl's Jr. owner CKE Restaurants

By Jonathan Maze on Mar. 06, 2025

The former Church’s Texas Chicken chief executive will take over leadership of the struggling, Roark Capital-owned burger chains.

Leadership

Carl's Jr. gets a new brand president as its parent company restructures

By Jonathan Maze on Apr. 03, 2024

CKE Restaurants, which also owns the burger chain Hardee’s, has separated its two fast-food brands and its international development under a trio of executives.

Leadership