CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR – News) announced today that Carl’s Jr., one of its subsidiary hamburger chains, has opened a restaurant in Pago Pago, American Samoa, making it the 100th Carl’s Jr. restaurant to open internationally. International franchise development is a strategic focus for CKE Restaurants, Inc. and the company currently operates 271 franchised restaurants in 13 countries. In the current fiscal year, CKE Restaurants, Inc. will open more than 40 international restaurants, the highest one year total in the company’s history.

The South Pacific Island is an unincorporated Territory of the United States. The franchised restaurant opened on Monday, December 3 and is the first Carl’s Jr. restaurant for franchisee, Forsgren Foods Inc.

“We are very excited to see Forsgren Foods open their Carl’s Jr. franchise restaurant in Pago Pago. This is a unique market with a strong appetite for great-tasting food, and the premium hamburgers offered at Carl’s Jr. will be a perfect fit,” says Ned Lyerly, senior vice president of global franchise development for CKE Restaurants, Inc. “American Samoa was actually not on our radar screens for development but one visit to the island and a meeting with the Forsgren’s was all it took to understand that Carl’s Jr. was sure to be successful here!” said Mike Woida, vice president–international for CKE Restaurants, Inc.

“The people of American Samoa have been craving a premium product for a long time and we are proud that we can finally deliver a delicious, big, juicy charbroiled Carl’s Jr. burger to them,” says Barry Forsgren CEO of Forsgren Foods Inc. “We want to make Carl’s Jr. the destination of choice for consumers on the island and set the standard for foodservice, food quality, and a great dining experience.”