Carl’s Jr Cambodia opens first drive-through

Cambodia has its first quick-service drive-through restaurant with the opening of a Carl’s Jr burger outlet in Phnom Penh, being run by TH F&B Co.

Carl’s Jr Cambodia has been franchised by California-based CKE Restaurants Holdings, the parent company of Carl’s Jr and Hardee’s.

“We’ve been experiencing phenomenal international growth this year,” says CKE international president Ned Lyerly. “In fact, Cambodia comes on the heels of successful openings in Australia, Japan and Kenya, and marks the 40th country CKE International has entered.

“This is an important market for our overall expansion strategy, and we plan to open 15 restaurants in Cambodia.”

As well as burgers, the Carl’s Jr brand offers chicken sandwiches, all made fresh to order. Its burgers feature chargrilled Australian beef. Also on the menus are ice-cream shakes.

“We’re confident that Cambodia, with its large youthful population and increased awareness and desire for western brands, is going to love having this global burger chain,” says TH F&B MD Hav Norm.

On the corner of Street 51 and Street 310 in Phnom Penh, the restaurant is open 12 hours daily, offering partial table service, an “all you can drink” beverage bar and complimentary Wi-Fi.

A privately held company headquartered in Carpinteria, California, CKE had its beginnings with Carl Karcher’s hot-dog cart in the 1940s. It now has 3729 franchised or company-run Carl’s Jr Restaurants and Hardee’s outlets in 44 states and 40 countries.

Awarded with the master franchise and the exclusive rights to run Carl’s Jr in Cambodia, TH F&B Co has a portfolio including Cold Stone Creamery and Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ.