New Hardee's in Saudi Arabia

CKE Restaurants Inc. (NYSE: CKR - News) opened a new Hardee's restaurant in Saudi Arabia, bringing its international unit count to 300. The restaurant, located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, is operated by Kuwait Food Company, S.A.K. Americana, the second largest Hardee's franchisee and most active developer in the CKE system.

"The opening of CKE Restaurants' 300th international unit is an impressive milestone in our worldwide expansion effort," says Andrew F. Puzder, president and chief executive officer of CKE Restaurants. "Combined with our recently announced commitments in China and Pakistan, the opening of our 300th restaurant abroad serves to emphasize our company's continued commitment to international growth and development."

In June, CKE Restaurants announced the signing of franchise development agreements for 100 Carl's Jr. restaurants in China over the next eight years, as well as 25 new Hardee's restaurants in Pakistan in the coming five years. CKE has units in the Middle East, Mexico, Russia, Southeast Asia, and American Samoa.

CKE Restaurants' development plans call for the doubling of its international presence to more than 600 restaurants within the next five years. In its most recent fiscal year ended January 28, 2008, the company opened 50 new international franchise restaurants; the highest one-year total in the company's history.