CARPINTERIA Calif. CKE Restaurants Inc. said it has sold 18 company-operated units of its Hardee’s burger chain to a new franchisee, Westar Foods, as part of a refranchising program that began in April.
Terms were not disclosed, but Westar has agreed to open five units during the next two years as part of the deal, CKE said. The stores sold to Westar are located in Des Moines and Cedar Rapids, Iowa, where the new units would also be developed.
CKE, which is also the parent of the Carl’s Jr. chain, said it has sold 46 of the 200 Hardee’s units in the Midwest and Southeast that it intends to divest to franchisees.
CKE operates or franchises 1,905 Hardee’s restaurants and 1,101 Carl’s Jr. outlets. It recently completed the sale of the La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill chain.