CKE Restaurants, Inc. Reports Third Quarter Net Income of $5.4 Million, or $0.10 Per Diluted Share

Third Quarter Highlights

• Third quarter income before income taxes and discontinued operations was $9.2 million versus $12.9 million in the prior year quarter. This year's results include $4.9 million of interest expense to mark-to-market our interest rate swap agreements versus a $1.8 million expense in the prior year quarter. Absent these mark-to-market adjustments, third quarter income before taxes and discontinued operations would have been $14.1 million versus $14.7 million in the prior year quarter.

• Third quarter net income was $5.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, versus $6.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Income from continuing operations was $5.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share, versus $7.5 million, or $0.13 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter. Absent the additional interest expense related to our interest rate swap agreements, income from continuing operations would have been $8.3 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, versus income from continuing operations of $8.6 million, or $0.15 per diluted share, in the prior year quarter.

• Blended company-operated same-store sales for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 increased 0.9 percent. Same-store sales increased 0.5 percent and 1.3 percent at Carl's Jr.(R) and Hardee's(R) company-operated restaurants, respectively.

• Blended average unit volume for the trailing-13 periods was $1,221,000 at company-operated restaurants. Average unit volumes for the trailing-13 periods increased to $1,529,000 and $982,000 at company-operated Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants, respectively.

• Consolidated restaurant operating costs increased 50 basis points to 82.1 percent of company-operated restaurants revenue. Occupancy and other costs increased 130 basis points, primarily due to higher utility costs and depreciation expense increases mainly related to our remodel program at both brands. These increases more than offset a reduction in payroll and employee benefits costs (70 basis points). Food and packaging costs were 10 basis points below the prior year quarter.

• Restaurant operating costs at Carl's Jr. company-operated restaurants increased 120 basis points, compared to the prior year quarter, to 80.0 percent of company-operated restaurants revenue. The increase was primarily attributable to higher utility costs (50 basis points) and rent (30 basis points) and increased depreciation expense (40 basis points) mainly related to our ongoing remodel program. Food and packaging costs increased 20 basis points over the prior year quarter.

• Restaurant operating costs at Hardee's company-operated restaurants increased 40 basis points, compared to the prior year quarter, to 84.7 percent of company-operated restaurants revenue. An increase in asset disposal charges (60 basis points) mainly related to rebuilding two restaurants and higher depreciation expense (90 basis points) primarily related to our remodel program more than offset lower payroll and employee benefits expense (130 basis points). Food and packaging costs were 20 basis points lower than the prior year quarter.

• Consolidated revenue for the current year quarter was $336.6 million, a 4.3 percent decrease from the prior year quarter. Company-operated restaurants revenue for the current year quarter was $255.5 million, a 6.5 percent decrease from the prior year quarter, reflecting the refranchising of 118 Hardee's restaurants partially offset by the opening of 25 new company-operated restaurants over the trailing-13 periods and positive same-store sales over the prior year quarter.

• For the twelve weeks ended Nov. 3, 2008, the Company generated earnings before interest, income taxes, depreciation and amortization, facility action charges and share-based compensation expense ('Adjusted EBITDA') of $37.3 million, versus $36.7 million in the prior year quarter.

• For the forty weeks ended Nov. 3, 2008, the Company generated Adjusted EBITDA of $132.9 million, versus $129.4 million in the comparable prior year period. For the trailing-13 periods ended Nov. 3, 2008, the Company generated Adjusted EBITDA of $168.5 million.

• Fully diluted shares outstanding for both the twelve and forty weeks ended Nov. 3, 2008, were 54.3 million.

Executive Commentary

Andrew F. Puzder, president and chief executive officer, said:

'Net income for the third quarter of fiscal 2009 was $5.4 million, or $0.10 per diluted share versus $6.2 million, or $0.11 per diluted share in the prior year quarter. Income from continuing operations in the prior year quarter was $7.5 million, or $0.13 per diluted share. The decrease in net income and diluted earnings per share is in part attributable to the impact of refranchising 118 Hardee's restaurants over the past year and a $3.1 million increase in interest expense resulting from higher mark-to-market adjustments related to our interest rate swap agreements.'

'The ongoing financial crisis continues to place unprecedented pressure on consumers. Despite this challenging environment, we were able to increase blended same-store sales 0.9 percent during the third quarter on top of a 1.7 percent increase in the prior year quarter. On a consolidated basis, restaurant-level operating expenses increased 50 basis points versus the prior year quarter due primarily to higher utility costs and increased depreciation expense related to our ongoing remodel program. The menu initiatives and price increases we have taken over the past year allowed us to keep food costs relatively flat during the third quarter. General and administrative expense decreased by $1.5 million and remained flat as a percentage of revenue despite a $15 million reduction in total revenue primarily attributable to our Hardee's refranchising program.'

'We also continued to execute our Capital Plan without incurring additional debt. We opened eight new company-operated restaurants during third quarter, including our first two Carl's Jr. restaurants in San Antonio, TX. Our franchisees opened 14 domestic and 10 international units, and currently operate 310 units internationally. For the fiscal year to date, we completed 50 Carl's Jr. and 80 Hardee's remodels and 13 Green Burrito and 26 Red Burrito dual-branded conversions.'

'Since the beginning of the year, we have reduced our bank and other long-term debt by $32.6 million. At the end of third quarter, our total debt to Adjusted EBITDA ratio ('leverage ratio') was 2.1, well below the 3.0 maximum leverage ratio allowed by the covenants contained in our credit facility. Our credit facility is in place until March 2012 with very favorable terms, including minimal required principal payments on our term loan through 2011 and interest rates on our term loan and revolver that could not be obtained in today's credit markets. As of the end of third quarter, we had nearly $100 million available under the revolving portion of our credit facility.'

'With respect to our individual brands:

Carl's Jr.

'Same-store sales at company-operated Carl's Jr. restaurants increased 0.5 percent during the third quarter. On a two-year cumulative basis, same-store sales at Carl's Jr. were up 1.2 percent for the third quarter. Year to date through the end of third quarter, same-store sales at Carl's Jr. have increased 2.9 percent. Revenues at company-operated Carl's Jr. restaurants increased $4.5 million, or 3.3 percent, over the prior year quarter due to the same-store sales gains and the addition of 18 company-operated restaurants over the past year,' continued Puzder. 'Carl's Jr. promoted the Prime Rib Burger and Guacamole Bacon burgers during the quarter. Carl's Jr. also featured the latest flavor of its Hand-Scooped Ice Cream Shakes and Malts(TM) - Banana Cream Pie. Average unit volume at company-operated Carl's Jr. restaurants increased to $1,529,000, a $36,000 increase since the end of fiscal 2008, and an all-time high for the brand.'

'Restaurant operating costs at company-operated Carl's Jr. restaurants increased by 120 basis points as compared with the prior year quarter, to 80.0 percent of company-operated restaurants revenue. Occupancy and other expense increased 70 basis points due primarily to higher depreciation expense related to our ongoing remodel program and higher rent expense due primarily to consumer price index adjustments. Food and packaging costs increased 20 basis points over the prior year quarter, due to higher prices for commodities including beef, cheese, potatoes and oil.'

Hardee's

'Same-store sales at company-operated Hardee's restaurants increased 1.3 percent during the third quarter. On a two-year cumulative basis, Hardee's same-store sales were up 4.0 percent for the third quarter. Year to date through the end of third quarter, same-store sales at Hardee's have increased 1.1 percent,' added Puzder. 'Revenue from company-operated Hardee's restaurants decreased $22.2 million, or 16.2 percent, from the prior year quarter due primarily to the refranchising of 118 Hardee's restaurants partially offset by the opening of seven new company-operated restaurants over the trailing-13 periods and positive same-store sales over the prior year quarter. During third quarter, Hardee's introduced Little Thickburgers - a quarter-pound version of the traditional one-third pound, 100 percent Black Angus, charbroiled beef patty. Hardee's also debuted the Pork Chop 'N' Gravy Biscuit during the breakfast daypart. Hardee's company-operated restaurants average unit volume increased to $982,000, a $28,000 increase since the end of fiscal 2008 and the highest average unit volume for the brand as far back as we can check.'

'Hardee's restaurant operating costs at its company-operated restaurants increased 40 basis points as compared with the prior year quarter, to 84.7 percent of company-operated restaurants revenue. Occupancy and other expense increased 190 basis points due to our ongoing remodel program as well as certain asset disposal charges related to rebuilding two restaurants. This more than offset lower payroll and employee benefits costs of 130 basis points. Food and packaging costs were 20 basis points lower than the prior year quarter.'

"We continue to believe that our brands are well-positioned to endure the current macroeconomic situation. Going forward, the combination of our premium product strategy, cutting-edge advertising, and remodeled and dual-branded restaurants should allow us to continue growing our average unit volumes as well as maintain, if not improve, our restaurant operating costs as demonstrated through the first three quarters of this year. We will also continue to aggressively manage our costs at the corporate level as well,' Puzder concluded.

As of the end of its fiscal 2009 third quarter, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,110 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 14 countries, including 1,185 Carl's Jr. restaurants and 1,912 Hardee's restaurants.

Logos, product and company names mentioned are the property of their respective owners.

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