CARPINTERIA, Calif. – CKE Restaurants Inc. has reached a development agreement with AML Foods Limited to build Carl’s Jr. restaurants in the Bahamas over the next five years. The first restaurant is scheduled to open in late 2012.

Possessing vast experience in food services, retail and club store operations, AML is a well-known Bahamian company, according to CKE.

“The Bahamas is an attractive quick-service restaurant market and AML’s strong track record in consumer retailing and the food services industry makes them an ideal partner for us,” said Ned Lyerly, executive vice president of Global Franchise Development for CKE Restaurants.

Carl’s Jr. is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurant Inc. Through its subsidiaries, CKE operates 3,219 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 23 countries, including 1,292 Carl’s Jr. restaurants and 1,917 Hardee’s restaurants.