Carl N. Karcher, Founder of Carl's Jr., Dies at 90

Posted by Adam Kuban, January 14, 2008 at 3:45 PM

The California man took turned a $325 investment in a hot dog cart into one of the largest burger chains in the Western U.S.:

Mr. Karcher, a deeply religious father of 12, was famous in the fast-food industry for his rags-to-riches story — a tale that was tainted in later years by an insider trading scandal and feuds with his board that led to his eventual demise as chief executive.

Mr. Karcher was working as a bread-truck driver in South Los Angeles when he noticed the large number of hot dog stands in the neighborhood and saw a business opportunity.

He borrowed $311 on the 1941 Plymouth Super Deluxe he owned with his new wife, Margaret, added the rest in cash and bought his first pushcart hot dog stand.

CKE Restaurants, which owns Carl's Jr., has a Karcher tribute on its site.

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Tags: Carl's Jr., chain burgers, obituaries