Fan-favourite burger chain enters into administration

The dream of a classic burger joint Down Under has hit a snag as the burger chain Carl’s Jr has entered voluntary administration in Australia.

The chain, which once had plans to open a whopping 300 stores across the nation, has now left hundreds of employees facing uncertainty.



Carl’s Jr, which began in the United States and is known for its charbroiled burgers and indulgent menu, has become a casualty in the fast-food industry, with 24 stores affected by the administration.

KPMG, stepping in to manage the crisis, appointed David Hardy, George Georges, and Emily Seeckts as administrators to oversee the process.


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Burger chain Carl’s Jr entered into voluntary administration. Credit: @carlsjrau / Instagram


The impact of this decision is far-reaching, with the majority of the Australian franchise located in regional areas of New South Wales, Queensland, and Victoria.

The CJ’s Group, which independently owns and operates 24 restaurants, is also the master licensee for an additional 25 locations run by third-party sub-licensees.

David Hardy from KPMG Australia’s restructuring services has stated that their initial efforts will be to ‘stabilise' the group’s operations.

‘We will be conducting an immediate sale process of the existing store network and operations,’ he said.

‘We will be working with all stakeholders, including employees, suppliers and landlords, to maximise the outcome for all parties.’



Stakeholders are expected to be contacted within days, and a creditors meeting has been scheduled for 7 August.

The future of the stores hangs in the balance, with only four expected to remain open under the CJ’s Group, while 20 will face immediate closure.

However, there is a silver lining for some, as the appointment of administrators does not include the 25 restaurants independently owned and operated by third-party sub-licensees.

These restaurants will transition to a direct licensed relationship with CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. (CKE) and are expected to experience minimal change.



The administration of Carl’s Jr's Australian stores is a standalone issue and will not affect the chain's locations overseas.

Carl’s Jr has a global presence in more than 30 countries, continuing to serve up its signature burgers elsewhere.

The chain's foray into the Australian market began in 2016, with the first store opening in Bateau Bay on the NSW Central Coast.

Positioned as a higher-end fast-food restaurant, Carl’s Jr's pricing was steeper compared to its competitors.

Unfortunately, the brand couldn't withstand the downturn in spending on take-out food, which has been exacerbated by the rising cost-of-living crisis.
Key Takeaways
  • US burger chain Carl's Jr. has entered voluntary administration in Australia, affecting 24 owned stores and hundreds of employees.
  • Operational stabilisation is the immediate focus of KPMG's appointed administrators, who are also conducting a sale process of the store network.
  • Stakeholders, including employees, suppliers, and landlords, are to be involved in maximising outcomes with a creditors meeting scheduled for 7 August.
  • While 20 stores will close immediately under the CJ's Group, the administration will not affect the independently operated stores under third-party sub-licensees, which will transition to a direct licensed relationship with CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc.
Have you been affected by the Carl’s Jr closures? Do you have fond memories of dining at their restaurants? Let us know in the comments below!
 
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Fan Favourite Burger chain !!! I have never heard of them and just ask my kids who know every burger place around and they have never heard of them.

Maybe that's the problem ...no one has heard of them
It says that they are predominantly in Regional places, maybe if they had opened a couple of places in busier places they might not be in this spot of trouble. Just a thought.
 
I didn't care for them the 1st time I tried them but when Hungry Jacks started charging me for mustard instead of mayo, I tried Carl's Jr, they made it the way I like them. I started going to them every time I felt like a burger. I for one will be sorry to see them go. I won't eat at Macas and Hungry Jacks has really gone downhill for some time. I guess I will just have to make them at home when I feel like a burger.
 
Carl's Jnr promotes heavily on Major League Baseball, competing with Jack in the Box, so when Carl's Jnr opened in SA with heavy discounts, I tried them out. Signature burger exactly like a whopper, but crisper and fresher. Fries larger and crisper than competitors. Bottomless drinks. Fair enough experience although pricy if not discounted. Good range or other burgers, all good quality. Place well spaced out, large outdoor area, very clean.
That was a year or so ago. When I tried again, with another promotion, the chain was in a death dive. Less staff, one server doing dine in and drive through, long waits, orders mixed up, burgers poorly presented, wrapping not folded correctly, lettuce hanging out, store untidy. Shame, since Hungry Jacks probably needs more competition cause their burgers are appalling at every level and their stores are pigsties.
 
Tried them a couple of times, not a bad burger - a bit reminiscent of the old fashioned burger joints before Macca etc came to the fore. Sadly the location on Gold Coast was not really convenient to main stream and coupled with lack of advertising, unfortunately they have suffered the death knell. Shame as it is difficult to find a good burger place (& fish n chips).
 
Only tried them in America where all burgers were covered in cheese as seems to be common over there. It’s a shame they’re closing here because last time we went to maccas (at night in Ceduna) the whopper burgers would fit in the palm of my small hand and cost a fortune.
 
When they came to Queensland I thought to myself why do we need another American Burger chain here. They are the helping with the death of the fish and chip shops that have proper burgers. I never tried them personally but I don't go to Maccas or Hungry Jacks either. I will continue going to the fish and chip shop when I don't make my own. I have only seen 3 here in Queensland but I don't look for them either
 
We stopped eating regularly at these places a while ago. We do get McDonalds very occasionally but I don't eat the bun. They all cook their stuff in canola oil which is poison. All seed oils are bad for. your health if you use them regularly. Our population can't support all of these companies and the local take away shops. Just make stuff at home. I bought a 3 hard boiled eggs on a bed of lettuce at a travel centre/petrol station and it cost just under $6. Better nutrition and better buy than $10 for a burger, chips and drink which are all junk
 

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