The “Pink Star” fundraising campaign raises $1M for the National Breast Cancer Foundation

www.nbcf.comSep 21 2009

CKE Restaurants, Inc. today announced it has reached its goal of raising $1 million for breast cancer programs and awareness through its “Pink Star” fundraising campaign. During the three-week, in-store fundraiser that began in April, 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^® 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 to represent 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 official check presentation ceremony will be held Monday, Sept. 21, at 2:30 p.m. at Union Station in St. Louis, Mo. 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 $1 million check to Janelle Hail, CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. The check from this year’s event will represent the single largest one-time gift given to the NBCF. The donation is slated to fund the NBCF’s National Mammography Program. This program currently impacts 43 states across the country by providing free mammograms to underserved women nationwide through medical facilities within the network.

“Despite our country’s economic situation, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s loyal customers gave generously in support of breast cancer awareness and the National Breast Cancer Foundation,” said Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:CKR), parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. “It is truly a testament to the generosity of our customers, the dedication of our employees and the commitment of our franchisees. We are very proud of all of our restaurants, both company and franchise, whose enthusiasm over the past five years made it possible to reach for and achieve our $1 million fundraising goal.”

The “Pink Star” program was initiated in 2005 by the Carl’s Jr. franchise body, the Star Franchise Association and raised $175,000. Within five years, the total amount raised is now over $3.1 million. This year’s tremendous donation was made possible by the efforts of more than 3,100 Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s franchise- and company-operated restaurants across the country.

“CKE Restaurants, Inc. and their Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant locations gave us their best effort this year and succeeded in reaching their $1 million goal,” said Janelle Hail, CEO of the National Breast Cancer Foundation. “Since the ‘Pink Star’ campaign began, CKE Restaurants has significantly contributed to NBCF's mission to save lives by increasing awareness of breast cancer through education and by providing mammograms for those in need. Thank you so much to CKE, Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s for their continued support.”