CKE Restaurants Inc. announced two franchise agreements that will bring an additional 31 Carl’s Jr. restaurants to Texas over the next nine years. Frontera Star Foods committed to opening 20 units in the Laredo, Brownsville, McAllen, and Harlingen areas in Southeast Texas. The second franchisee, Burger Barons, agreed to open 11 units throughout the Waco, Killeen, Temple, College Station, and Bryan, Texas, communities. Both franchisees are new members of the Carl’s Jr. franchise community.

“Texas continues to be a priority for CKE’s expansion and we are proud to have two strong franchise entities join us in the Lone Star state,” says Andrew F. Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants Inc. “As our unit count in Texas grows, so does the demand for our big, delicious burgers. In fact, the November opening in Leon Valley, Texas, was the highest grossing first week in the history of the company. I hope we see that record change hands a few more times this year.”

Carl’s Jr. has seen significant expansion in Texas over the past year for both the franchise community and the company. There are currently 34 Carl’s Jr. restaurants open in Texas (27 franchised, 7 company-owned), with an additional 352 units (252 franchise, 100 company) planned over the coming decade. On average, a new Carl’s Jr. restaurant employs 70 full- and part-time crew members, translating to more than 24,000 new jobs.

Based in Tampico, Mexico, Frontera Star Foods is owned by Juan Alvarado, Juan Garza, and Gonzalo Ruiz. They bring a background in construction and retail development.

Burger Barons, based in Austin, Texas, is owned by Monica and Mark von Waaden and Keith Isbell. They are current franchisees of 10 Panera Bread restaurants in Houston.

“Burger Barons is proud to be joining the Carl’s Jr. brand,” says Mark von Waaden. “We feel their legacy of great burgers will resonate well with the great state of Texas.”