Hardee's, Carl's Jr. follow BK's humane-buying lead

Nation's Restaurant News,  Oct 8, 2007  

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CARPINTERIA, CALIF. -- CKE Restaurants Inc., parent of the Hardee's and Carl's Jr. brands, has pledged to begin buying eggs and pork from suppliers that meet certain standards for the humane treatment of animals.

CKE officials said the move stems from an agreement reached with suppliers and the group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, or PETA. CKE pledged to immediately begin purchasing 15 percent of its pork from suppliers that do not use so-called gestation crates. The company plans to increase that rate to 25 percent by 2009. In addition, 2 percent of the eggs CKE purchases will come from cage-free hens by next July, it said. CKE also plans to favor poultry suppliers that test more humane slaughtering methods.

Miami-based Burger King set similar goals earlier this year.

Carpinteria-based CKE and its franchisees and licensees operate 1,111 Carl's Jr. and 1,909 Hardee's restaurants in 42 states and 13 countries.

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