CKE Restaurants, Inc. Announces Transition to Zero Trans Fat, 100 Percent Canola Cooking Oil

CARPINTERIA, Calif., June 6  /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CKE Restaurants, Inc.  announced today that its Carl's Jr.(R) and Hardee's(R) restaurant chains will transition to a zero trans fat cooking oil by January 2008.  The new zero trans fat, 100 percent canola oil has the lowest saturated fat levels among the new zero trans fat alternatives and has a high level of heart-healthy, omega-9, monounsaturated fat.  Canola oil has recently received approval for a qualified health claim from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.  Carl's Jr. and Hardee's are believed to be the first and only major quick-service chains to commit to the use of 100 percent Omega-9 canola cooking oil throughout their system.

"We are very pleased to announce our conversion to zero trans fat, 100 percent canola cooking oil in our restaurants by January of next year," said Andrew F. Puzder, president and chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants, Inc.  "We have evaluated many zero trans fat cooking oil alternatives in an effort to offer our guests the ideal oil option from a heath and nutrition standpoint while, at the same time, not adversely effecting the taste and flavor of the premium quality menu items that Carl's Jr. and Hardee's customers have come to know and love. Our decision to move to a 100 percent canola cooking oil satisfied both criteria."

As of the fourth fiscal quarter ended Jan. 29, 2007, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,105 franchised or company- operated restaurants in 43 states and in 13 countries, including 1,087 Carl's Jr. restaurants, 1,906 Hardee's restaurants. 

CKE Restaurants, Inc.


CONTACT:  Anne Hallock, Manager, Public Relations of CKE Restaurants,
Inc., +1-805-745-7741, ahallock@ckr.com



Web site:  http://www.ckr.com/