Carl’s Jr

Carl’s Jr. was launched in 1956 by fast food pioneer Karl Karcher of Anaheim, California. After a visit to the McDonald’s operation in San Bernardino, California, Karcher decided to develop a fast food chain of his own. Initially, two outlets were opened in Anaheim and nearby La Brea. Because they were “mini” versions of Carl’s, a restaurant Karcher already owned, he called them Carl’s Jr. Within ten years, the company had twenty-four outlets in southern California. To supply its franchisees, Carl’s Jr. began purchasing ingredients, processing them and delivering them to outlets.