Carl's Jr. and Hardee's Raise More Than $900,000 to Fight Breast Cancer
"Pink Star" restaurant donation program raised breast cancer awareness and funds.
(Vocus) July 9, 2008
Carpinteria, Calif. (Vocus) July 9, 2008 – CKE Restaurants, Inc. today announced it has raised more than $900,000 through its "Pink Star" fundraising campaign for breast cancer awareness. During the three-week, in-store fundraiser in May, guests at Carl's Jr.® and Hardee's® restaurants across the United States donated to the campaign, in support of the National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF).
For each $1 donation, restaurant guests received a commemorative pink Happy Star™ cutout to personalize and place on a restaurant lobby display. This leave-behind piece combined the icon for both the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurant chains with the color pink represents hope and awareness for the plight of those fighting breast cancer. Guests also received coupons to use toward future visits. SynqSolutions, Inc. of Atlanta donated the cost of all printed materials related to the Pink Star program.
The check presentation ceremony is slated for Wed., July 9 at 5 p. m. at CKE Restaurants corporate headquarters in Carpinteria, Calif. Executives from CKE Restaurants along with board members from both the Star Franchise Association (of Carl's Jr.) and the Independent Hardee's Franchise Association will present the $900,000 check to Janelle Hail, CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The donation will help the NBCF's ongoing program to offer free mammogram and treatment programs at hospitals and clinics in 25 states.
"The outpouring of support and the generosity of our guests is quite simply breathtaking and very humbling indeed," said Andrew Puzder, president and CEO for CKE Restaurants. "We are also extremely proud of all of our restaurants, both company and franchise, whose enthusiasm allow us to grow this program with each passing year. Every pink Happy Star that stood proudly on our walls showed one person's pledge and our companyÂ’s commitment to supporting worthy organizations and causes, like those championed by the NBCF."
The "Pink Star" program was initiated in 2005 by the Carl's Jr. franchise body, the Star Franchise Association and raised $175,000. Within three years, the total amount raised has increased more than five-fold to $900,000. This year's donation was made possible by generous guests at more than 3,200 Carl's Jr. and Hardee's franchise - and company-operated restaurants across the country.
"Support from CKE Restaurants, Inc. and their Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurant locations is invaluable to the National Breast Cancer Foundation, and subsequently, to those women whose lives will be saved as a result of this campaign," said NBCF CEO Janelle Hail. "Because of 'Pink Star', we can grow our educational programs and have a broader reach for our message of early detection. Not only that, but we can provide even more women in lower-income brackets or without access to adequate insurance mammograms - truly one of the best early detection methods we have. Thank you so much to CKE, Carl's Jr. and Hardee's for their heroic efforts."
About National Breast Cancer Foundation, Inc. (NBCF):
The National Breast Cancer Foundation extends womenÂ’s lives through education about breast cancer and early detection. The organization provides hope to women and families affected by breast cancer through a community of caring support and encouragement that enables those diagnosed with breast cancer to have fulfilling lives during their treatment and afterward. Learn more at www. nbcf. com.
About CKE Restaurants, Inc.:
As of its fiscal first quarter ended May 19, 2008, CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR), through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,101 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 13 countries, including 1,162 CarlÂ’s Jr. restaurants and 1,923 HardeeÂ’s restaurants. For more information, or to find a CarlÂ’s Jr. or HardeeÂ’s near you, go to www. ckr. com, www. carlsjr. com or www. hardees. com.
Contact:
Jenna Petroff
CKE Restaurants, Inc.
314-259-6277
Jpetroff @ ckr. com
###
