Carl's Jr.

Carl's Jr. is a fast food restaurant chain located in the western United States. They are owned by CKE Restaurants, which also owns Hardee's and La Salsa.

After finding success with a series of hot dog stands, Carl Karcher opened the first Carl's Drive-In Barbecue in Anaheim, California, in 1941. The company expanded over the following decades and went public in 1981. Karcher died in January 2008. Since his death CKE Restaurants has announced plans to expand Carl's Jr. to several more U.S. States. The chain has nearly 4,000 locations.

Since the late 20th century, Carl's Jr. has aired a series of controversial advertisements. In 2005, a scantily-clad Paris Hilton appeared in a commercial eating a "Spicy BBQ Six Dollar Burger" while climbing on and around a car. The spot instigated protests from several groups advocating family values on television. In 2006, several feminist groups were angered at a commercial where Dr. 90210 recommends breast enlargement to a chicken.

On December 21, 2009 the latest advertising campaign premiered with curvy Kim Kardashian in a sexy salad ad. In the commercial Kardashian enjoys a salad in her bed before slipping into a bubble bath.