• by Teresa Buyikian , Yesterday

CKE Restaurant Holdings, parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s, is kicking off Memorial Day weekend with a fitting campaign to benefit military personnel, veterans and their families in need.

The brands’ 14^th annual six-week fundraising effort Stars for Heroes runs through June 4at participating locations.

The campaign prompts customers to donate $1 or more at the register, with all proceeds benefiting USA Cares, a nonprofit  “focused on providing veterans and their families with financial assistance and skill training for future stability” and several other local charities selected by individual franchisees.

"Veterans are an important part of our community at Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, and this initiative is an opportunity for our guests to come together and make a difference in the lives of those who have served our country," said CKE Restaurants CMO Jennifer Tate in a release.

The annual program, which went on hiatus during the COVID pandemic, has raised over $12 million to provide essential support services by USA Cares and other local charities.

Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. will promote the Stars for Heroes campaign in-store as well as across its social media platforms.

The privately held Franklin, TN-based CKE Restaurants Holdings runs and operates more than 3,600 Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurants in the U.S. and in 35 international markets. The company also owns and operates the Green Burrito, with approximately 600 locations in the U.S.