Carl’s Jr. is a fast food restaurant chain that specializes in charbroiled hamburgers. The company was founded in 1941 by Carl Karcher in Los Angeles, California. What started as a hot dog cart soon grew into a full-service drive-in restaurant known as Carl’s Drive-In Barbecue. By the end of the 1950s, there were four Carl’s Jr. restaurants in operation.
In 1966, the company opened its first two smaller format units branded Carl’s Jr. The smaller restaurants proved popular and soon more began opening across California. Over the next few decades, Carl’s Jr. continued expanding by acquring other chains and opening new locations on the West Coast. Menu items focused on hamburgers, french fries, and milkshakes. Marketing emphasized the charbroiled burgers as a point of differentiation from competitors.
In the 2000s, Carl’s Jr. spread further across the U.S. with over 1,500 locations in operation by 2010. International expansion also began with openings in Mexico, Canada, China and other countries. The menu expanded with new items like salads, chicken sandwiches, and breakfast offerings being added. However, charbroiled burgers remained the core part of the menu.
Today, Carl’s Jr. positions itself as a more adult-focused fast food chain than competitors. Advertisements often emphasize big burgers with international flare like the French Dip Thickburger and El Diablo Thickburger. Other speciality options include the Bacon Truffle Angus Burger, Crisscut Fries, and hand-scooped milkshakes. Beyond burgers, Carl’s Jr. is also known for specialty breakfast sandwiches and coffees.
While menu options vary a bit by region, most locations offer some form of charbroiled burgers, chicken sandwiches, fries, and shakes. Menu prices are generally considered affordable though slightly higher than a value-focused chain like McDonald’s. Restaurant interiors focus on a red, black, and white color scheme with a somewhat sleek modern look.
As of 2022, Carl’s Jr. has over 3,800 restaurant locations with its parent company CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. It continues evolving with the times by adding new technology, testing innovative menu approaches, and reimaging locations. However, the core focus around big, charbroiled burgers remains steady nearly 80 years later. Carl’s Jr. has cemented itself as a go-to for burger lovers across the West Coast and United States.