Check out Carl's Jr.'s ambitious plans to unveil 300 stores
That's within the next 10-15 years.
With news about the arrival of one of the world’s famous burger chains, many have been curious about Carl's Jr, as they enter the Australian QSR industry.
Below is a Q&A with the CEO of Carl's Jr, Andy Puzder, as he gives insight on the brand and its plans for Carl’s Jr. Australia.
QSR Media: What is your plan for Australia?
Andy: Carl's Jr. has an ambitious strategy to crack the Australian market, with a goal of opening 300 stores in the next 10-15 years. Our expansion plans could create over 7,500 jobs and play a key role in doubling our international presence to more than 1,000 restaurants in the next five years.
QSR Media: Have you partnered with anyone?
Andy: We are in the process of meeting with potential franchisee partners. The response from potential partners has been incredibly positive in Australia so far.
QSR Media: What are your goals for the year?
Andy: Our goal in Australia this year is to confirm a franchise partner to help us launch our offering here.
QSR Media: What makes you unique?
Andy: Carl's Jr. is the leader in offering premium quality sit down restaurant style burgers at the taste, price and convenience of fast food. We are committed to providing a best in class menu offering across all products lines … for example, our line of 100% Black Angus Beef Thickburgers, our hand breaded Chicken Tender line and our Hand Scooped Milk Shakes. Despite the recession, we’ve made a conscious decision not to compete for the low price, low-quality, value menu market since we think it is inconsistent with our premium-quality positioning. We deliver value to Carl’s Jr. guests by being the taste, quality and innovation leader in our segment.
QSR media: What would you like to tell the Australian QSR industry?
Andy: Australia is a highly attractive market for Carl’s Jr and we encourage anyone interested in joining us a franchise partner to get in touch. We're very excited about bringing our offering to Australia and hope to emulate the success here that we've seen in New Zealand, where we've smashed our sales records and opened eight stores in the last 18 months.
QSR Media: How do you think it will translate to the Australian palette?
Andy: We believe that there's a real appetite for Carl's Jr. in Australia. We focus upon delivering premium quality products, such as our wide variety of fresh, big and delicious charbroiled burgers that lead the industry in taste, quality and innovation. Our research shows there's a real desire for these products in the Australian market.
QSR Media: How would you describe Carl Jr's the brand?
Andy: Our brand is targeted at the 18 – 34 year old male audience, or as we call them, ‘young hungry guys,’ but also everyone in Australia who aspires to be young. Our target audience reflects our brand – young, innovative and aspirational. We are the ultimate destination for big, juicy delicious premium quality burgers.
QSR Media: Will you be franchising, if so what is an indicative cost for potential franchise partners?
Andy: We are very interested in finding the right franchisee partners in Australia. We're looking for partners interested in opening a minimum of 3 stores, and the costs are dependant on the number of stores our partners are looking to open.
QSR Media: Tell us a bit about what's happening in NZ?
Andy: Our offering in NZ has been incredibly successful – we've smashed our sales records and opened eight stores in the past 18 months. There was a real opening in the market there for high quality, premium products in a fast food setting and we believe that there is a similar opening in Australia.
