CKE Restaurants Names Ned Lyerly as New International Division President

CKE Restaurants Holdings Inc, parent company to major franchise brands Carl’s Jr. on the West Coast and Hardee’s on the East Coast, is making a change to its executive structure. This week the Carpinteria, CA-based fast food franchising company announced that it is promoting executive Ned Lyerly to the role of International Division President.

Lyerly has been with CKE for decades, with the last few years devoted specifically to overseeing the company’s international franchise growth. In 2006, Lyerly was promoted to Senior Vice President of Global Franchise Development; in 2012, he rose to Executive VP of the brand’s International Division.

In this role, he was able to help CKE’s chains gain footholds in markets like South America, Asia, and the Middle East – over the past year alone, CKE opened 100 new locations around the world and is now operating in 31 countries, and on July 1 the company celebrated the opening of its 600th international restaurant. Lyerly’s success in this capacity has made him a prime candidate for his newest leadership role.

“Demonstrating equal parts diplomacy, business savvy and sheer determination, Ned personifies our company’s commitment to our franchise partners and the growth of our system,” said CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc. CEO, Andrew F. Puzder, in a statement released by the company. “Under Ned’s leadership, the international division has doubled in the past five years and, for the past three years, 63 percent of our new restaurant development has occurred in international markets. Over the past 30 years, Ned’s contribution to the success of CKE’s international business has provided a distinctive and superior level of satisfaction to franchisees, guests and stakeholders around the world.”