NEWS >> FOOD SERVICE, HOSPITALITY
US burger chain in NZ franchise deal
Date: 14 Dec 2011
Restaurant Brands New Zealand will roll out a chain of Carl's Jr Restaurants after striking a franchise deal with US owner CKE Restaurants, adding to its existing KFC, Pizza Hut and Starbucks Coffee brands.
Restaurant Brands will be the second franchisee for Carl's Jr, which operates two of the restaurants in Auckland. Carl's Jr is strong in the western and south-western states of the US, offering a combination of burgers, burrito-style wraps, and KFC-like chicken options.
It focuses on "partial table service, a 'made-to-order' menu, all-you-can-drink beverage bars, and a strong breakfast offering," the company said in a statement today.
No financial details of the agreement with CKE were given in the statement and company executives weren't immediately available to comment.
Restaurant Brands expects to open the first restaurant by the middle of 2012.
Separately today, Restaurant Brands said sales in the third quarter fell 3.1 per cent to $71.9 million, mainly reflecting store closures in Christchurch following the earthquake, and the sale of Pizza Hut outlets.
KFC, the company's strongest performer, lifted sales in the 12 weeks ended December 5 by 0.9 per cent to $55.1 million though same-store sales fell 1.6 per cent.
More at NZ Herald.
