Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s Introduce Another Fast-Food First: The New Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich

Sports Illustrated swimsuit model Nina Agdal makes a splash in TV spot for the new charbroiled fish sandwich

CARPINTERIA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Carl’s Jr.^® and Hardee’s^® today announced a flavorful new fast-food first with the addition of the Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich to their menus. The sister brands are the first national fast-food chains to offer a charbroiled fish sandwich - not battered and deep fried - on the menu. At only 420 calories, the new sandwich offers guests a healthy and delicious meal option. The Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich is available now at all Carl’s Jr. restaurants and at all Hardee’s locations starting Monday, February 4.

“For almost half-a-century, whenever fast food customers wanted to get a fish sandwich during Lent, they had one choice; fried”

The Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich features a charbroiled Atlantic cod fillet, creamy tartar sauce, sliced tomato and lettuce, all served on a honey wheat bun.

“For almost half-a-century, whenever fast food customers wanted to get a fish sandwich during Lent, they had one choice; fried,” said Brad Haley, chief marketing officer for Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. “With our new Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich, we’ve changed all that. For the first time in the industry, our guests can get a premium-quality fish sandwich that tastes great and is lower in calories because we charbroil it just like we do our burgers. As we found when we introduced the first line of Charbroiled Turkey Burgers more than two years ago, people are ready for lighter fare as long as they don’t have to sacrifice flavor and the new Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich delivers both in a big way.”

The Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich is available for $3.99 or as a combo meal with fries and a drink for $6.49. Dual-branded Carl’s Jr./Green Burrito^® and Hardee’s/Red Burrito^® locations are also offering a Charbroiled Cod Fish Taco for $2.39. Prices may vary by location.

Swimsuit model Nina Agdal stars in the alluring new Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich TV commercial, which premiers during the Super Bowl broadcast on February 3 in many markets. Created by Los Angeles- and Amsterdam-based creative agency 72andSunny, the ad is titled “Sun Tan” and features a bikini-clad Nina enjoying her Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich on a tropical beach. When she is interrupted by a sunburned admirer, Nina’s thoughts on the crimson-skinned man echo her thoughts about her fish sandwich: sometimes, you just don’t want to get fried.

Following in the footsteps of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s spokesmodel and 2012 Sports Illustrated cover girl Kate Upton, Nina was named the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition 2012 “Rookie of the Year” last year and is contending for the cover of the 2013 swimsuit issue. Both Kate and Nina’s commercials for Carl’s Jr./Hardee’s were directed by Chris Applebaum, who is highly regarded for his commercial and music video work.

"Nina was a casting no-brainer,” according to Glenn Cole, 72andSunny creative director/partner. “We have a healthy product, we're at the beach, we're in SI Swimsuit season. And it didn't hurt that she is very accustomed to being hit on by dubious sunburned guys."

Exclusive behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with Nina on the set of the Charbroiled Atlantic Cod Fish Sandwich commercial shoot can be viewed on the brands’ YouTube channels (www.youtube.com/carlsjr and www.youtube.com/hardees). Both the :30 version and a longer online-only director’s cut of the ad will be available on Super Bowl Sunday.

Stay tuned to Facebook (www.facebook.com/carlsjr and www.facebook.com/hardees) and Twitter (www.twitter.com/carlsjr and www.twitter.com/hardees) for the latest product news.

CKE Restaurants, Inc.

CKE Restaurants, Inc. is a privately held company headquartered in Carpinteria, Calif. As of the end of the third quarter of fiscal 2013, the Company, through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,292 franchised or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and 27 foreign countries, including 1,349 Carl's Jr. restaurants and 1,936 Hardee's restaurants. For more information about CKE Restaurants, please visit www.ckr.com or its brand sites at www.carlsjr.com and www.hardees.com.