USA Food Menu

What Is the Difference Between Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.?

Mainly geography and breakfast. Both are owned by CKE Restaurants and share the star logo and many burgers, but Hardee’s is in the South and Midwest and is known for scratch made biscuits.

Same parent companySame star logoHardee’s South and MidwestCarl’s Jr. West

By Jahanzaib · · 2 min read

Short answer: Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. are sister chains owned by CKE Restaurants. They share the smiling star logo and many burgers, such as the Thickburgers. The main differences are where they operate, with Carl’s Jr. in the West and Hardee’s in the South and Midwest, and breakfast, where Hardee’s leans on biscuits made from scratch every morning.

Side by side

Hardee’s Carl’s Jr.
Founded 1960 in Greenville, North Carolina 1941 hot dog cart in Los Angeles
Main region South, Midwest and East West and Southwest
Breakfast Made from scratch biscuits Breakfast burgers and burritos
Signature item Biscuits and Thickburgers Western Bacon Cheeseburger
Owner CKE Restaurants CKE Restaurants

Why there are two names

CKE, the company founded by Carl Karcher, bought Hardee’s in 1997. Instead of renaming thousands of restaurants with a strong local following, CKE kept the Hardee’s name and rolled out the Carl’s Jr. star logo and much of its menu across both chains.

Compare prices

See the Hardee’s menu and the Carl’s Jr. menu for current prices.

Related Questions

Are Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. the same company?

Yes. Both are owned by CKE Restaurants.

Do Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. have the same menu?

Many burgers are the same, but Hardee’s has its own biscuit breakfast menu and some regional items.

Why does Hardee’s use the Carl’s Jr. star?

CKE gave Hardee’s the star logo after it bought the chain in 1997.

Which is older, Hardee’s or Carl’s Jr.?

Carl’s Jr. traces back to 1941, while Hardee’s opened in 1960.

Does Carl’s Jr. have biscuits?

Carl’s Jr. breakfast focuses on breakfast burgers and burritos, while scratch made biscuits are a Hardee’s specialty.

Where are Hardee’s restaurants?

Mainly in the South, Midwest and parts of the East Coast.

More on Hardee’s

Hardee’s menuCarl’s Jr. menuWho owns Hardee’s?All Menus

About this guide. USA Food Menu is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with Hardee’s or CKE Restaurants. Details come from public sources and were checked in October 2026. See current prices on the Hardee’s menu.

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