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This new sandwich is made with a buttermilk hand-breaded chicken fillet, lightly coated and fried. It includes two strips of Cherrywood-smoked bacon, melted American cheese, onion rings, and Western barbecue sauce, all served on a seeded bun.

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Carl's Jr. has a strong presence in the United States, with more than 1,000 restaurants spread across different states. The brand has established itself as one of the leading fast-food chains in the burger segment, especially on the West Coast, where it has a higher concentration of locations.

Hot Honey Chicken Menu

Carl's Jr.'s menu is known for offering large burgers, chicken options, sides, and desserts. Some of the most representative items include:

It's the company's loyalty program. Members earn stars for every dollar spent, which can be redeemed for free food. Upon signing up, you'll get access to exclusive offers and promotions. Plus, you'll receive a free welcome item (including a Western Bacon Cheeseburger, a Famous Star, or a Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich) with any purchase of $1 or more.

You can start unlocking rewards once you reach 150 stars, with even more options available at 300 and 500 stars. To redeem your Stars, place an order through the app or website, add an eligible menu item to your cart, and select the reward you want to redeem before checking out.

Western Bacon Cheeseburger

Carl's Jr. began in 1941, when Carl and Margaret Karcher bought a small hot dog cart in Los Angeles. Thanks to their entrepreneurial spirit, they expanded to four hot dog stands within a few years. In 1956, they took a major step by opening the first two Carl's Jr. restaurants.

During its first 15 years, the brand was known as Carl's Jr. Drive-In Barbecue, and its visual identity reflected the mid-20th-century aesthetic. The original logo was a vertical sign featuring the brand's name topped with a large star.

This monochrome, triple-outlined star sat above a black banner displaying "Carl's" in all caps. Beneath that, a second, trapezoid-shaped sign read "Drive-In Barbecue" in white letters. In 1956, the name was simplified to Carl's Jr., marking the beginning of a long visual evolution. Over the years, the logo underwent several updates, leading to the modern and recognizable brand image we know today.

in all caps. Beneath that, a second, trapezoid-shaped sign read

Why this lands now

Dining rooms change slowly and then all at once: a new chef, a refurbishment, a shift in the neighbourhood, and suddenly the place has a different identity.

At a glance

  • Carl's Jr. has a strong presence in the United States, with more than 1,000 restaurants spread across different states
  • Carl's Jr.'s menu is known for offering large burgers, chicken options, sides, and desserts
  • During its first 15 years, the brand was known as Carl's Jr

The numbers worth knowing

  • You'll receive a free welcome item (including a Western Bacon Cheeseburger, a Famous Star, or a Hand-Breaded Chicken Sandwich) with any purchase of $1 or more
  • Carl's Jr. began in 1941, when Carl and Margaret Karcher bought a small hot dog cart in Los Angeles
  • In 1956, they took a major step by opening the first two Carl's Jr. restaurants
  • In 1956, the name was simplified to Carl's Jr., marking the beginning of a long visual evolution

The bottom line

Whether this marks the start of something larger or simply reflects the moment, it is a fair indication of the direction things are heading.