CARPINTERIA, Calif. – A partnership between CKE Restaurants and Restaurant Brands New Zealand Limited has been forged to build and operate Carl’s Jr. restaurants in New Zealand. Restaurant Brands plans to open its first Carl’s Jr. restaurant by mid-year 2012 with additional restaurant openings targeted by the end of its next financial year.

Restaurant Brands has the exclusive development rights to build restaurants in New Zealand, complementing the existing franchisee Forsgren NZ Limited’s development rights to build a limited number of restaurants in Auckland, under the terms of the development agreement with CKE.

“Achieving scale and growth within a country is a key to success, so we are very pleased to partner with experienced operators like Restaurant Brands,” said Andy Puzder, CEO of CKE Restaurants. “They understand the value of building strong brands, and have a track record to prove it.”