"We are pleased to announce the opening of our first restaurant inPakistanand are pleased to welcomeMDS Foods Private Limitedto the CKE family,” saidAndy Puzder, CEO ofCKE Restaurants, Inc.“We have a solid base of Hardee’s restaurants in theMiddle East, strong brand awareness in the region, and are excited about introducing the Hardee’s brand toPakistan. Many Pakistani people have experienced the great tasting food of Hardee’s during their travels to the US and throughout theMiddle East. With our strong presence in the region combined with the local talent of MDS, we are confident that we will have a bright future in the market.”
“It is a great honor to bring Hardee’s to thePakistanmarket,” addedSohail Yousaf,CEO MDS Foods Private Limited. “We strongly feel that there is a growing demand for quality dining experiences and are confident that Hardee’s will raise the bar of QSR dining inPakistan. Our premium products, excellent service standards, premium facility and premium location will deliver an ultimate dining experience to guests, and give us a competitive edge in the quick-serve restaurant market. We look forward to opening additional restaurants inLahoreover the next 12 months and have plans to open 15 Hardee’s restaurants across the north region in the next five years.”
CKE Restaurants’ entry intoPakistanis an extension of its international expansion strategy and the company sees a high demand for premium quick service restaurants in the region. Hardee’s has operated franchised restaurants in theMiddle Eastsince 1980 and currently operates 205 Hardee’s restaurants inEgypt,Lebanon,Jordan,Kuwait,Saudi Arabia,United Arab Emirates,Bahrain,Qatar,Oman, and nowPakistan.
Currently, CKE franchises 338 international restaurants between both its Carl’s Jr.®and Hardee’s brands. The company has strategic development plans to double its International presence within the next five years.
In addition to thePakistanopening, the company would also like to announce the execution of a development agreement for three Hardee’s restaurants in the RepublicofYemen.
