CKE Restaurants Inc., parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant chains, raised more than $750,000 for military families and communities through its three-week Stars for Heroes in-store fundraising campaign.

The company also plans to continue fundraising efforts online and through regional and national promotions throughout the remainder of the year.

Funds raised during this year’s campaign will assist military families through national charity partnerships with The Mission Continues and USA Cares, as well as through select regional charities with the same mission and ties to Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant communities.

The Stars for Heroes fundraising campaign kicked off in stores in late April, running for three weeks. To participate, restaurant guests donated $1 in support of military charities.

For each $1 donation, guests received a commemorative star-shaped cutout to personalize and place on display in the restaurant. They also received restaurant coupons valued at more than $10 to use toward future purchases.

While the 2012 in-store fundraiser concluded in May, consumers are able to continue donating through a FundRazr donation page, which will be housed on the Stars for Heroes Facebook page and promoted via Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s social media channels.

Additionally, the chains hope to encourage additional support through a special eBay auction. Customers will have the opportunity to bid on two of the official movie posters for Columbia Pictures’ release, “The Amazing Spider-Man,” autographed by Spider-Man creator, Stan Lee. A certificate of authenticity is included with each and 100 percent of the winning bids will be donated to Stars for Heroes national beneficiaries, The Mission Continues, and USA Cares.

“The generosity of our loyal customers and company employees is evident through the patriotic stars that filled our restaurant walls during the in-store fundraising campaign,” says Bryan Haas, president of the Independent Hardee’s Franchise Association (IHFA).

“We are excited to see the patriotic support of Stars for Heroes continue with the addition of an online donation element, harnessing the power of social networking—and the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. Facebook fan communities—for a good cause.”

Charitable Giving, News, Carl's Jr., Hardee's