Carl's Jr.® Opens First Restaurant in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

The restaurants in Vietnam will be operated by Mesa Asia Pacific Trading Services Company Limited, whose parent is a successful holding company specializing in consumer goods distribution, restaurant operations, media and real estate development.

“The growth in the Vietnamese consumer market is truly remarkable and we wanted to take this opportunity along with the Mesa Group to employee a ‘first-mover’ strategy in our segment. In this regard, we are happy to introduce real, American-style charbroiled burgers to the market.”

CKE’s entry into the Vietnam market is part of a strategic plan to accelerate franchise development in international markets and grow our system as a whole. The 25 restaurant development deal is part of a greater development plan that CKE Restaurants has for Asia. In addition to existing operations in China, Singapore, Malaysia, American Samoa and Vietnam, CKE plans to enter Indonesia later this year after recently signing a commitment agreement with PT Fortune Foods Limited to open 25 Carl’s Jr. restaurants in Jakarta, Indonesia. CKE continues to expand its presence in the region and is actively seeking new franchisees.

”We are very pleased to welcome Mesa Group Inc. as a part of the CKE team. The strength of our brand matched with Mesa’s expertise and knowledge of the Vietnamese market gives us confidence that we will have a bright future in the market,” said Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc. “The growth in the Vietnamese consumer market is truly remarkable and we wanted to take this opportunity along with the Mesa Group to employee a ‘first-mover’ strategy in our segment. In this regard, we are happy to introduce real, American-style charbroiled burgers to the market.”

"We are very excited to launch Carl’s Jr. in Vietnam with our great partner CKE Restaurants. We are determined to make Carl’s Jr. the leading QSR brand in Vietnam by providing premium, high-quality menu items, premium facilities, and exceptional customer service,” said Ms. Luu Tuyet Mai, CEO of Mesa Group. “We have aggressive growth plans for Vietnam, and plan to bring Carl’s Jr. to major cities over the next few years. We hope to make Carl’s Jr. the destination of choice for hungry Vietnamese consumers.”

Currently, CKE franchises 342 international restaurants between both its Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s^® brands. The company has strategic development plans to double its International presence within the next five years.

About CKE Restaurants, Inc.

Headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif., CKE Restaurants, Inc. is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol “CKR.” As of the end of fiscal year 2010, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,147 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 14 countries, including 1,221 Carl's Jr. restaurants and 1,913 Hardee's restaurants.