Hardee’s Introduces Grass-fed Beef Burger, Joins Carl's Jr.
CARPINTERIA, Calif. – CKE Restaurants, franchisor to Carl's Jr. and Hardee's brands, announced today that it is rolling out a burger at Hardee's restaurants that is a grass-fed, free-range beef with no added hormones, antibiotics, or steroids. With the "All-Natural" burger first introduced at sister chain Carl's Jr. last December, CKE says it is the first major burger chain to roll out such a healthy burger.
The Hardee's All-Natural Burger will feature a charbroiled, all-natural beef patty topped with a slice of natural cheddar cheese, fresh tomatoes, red onion, lettuce, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise and dill pickles, all served on the brand's signature Fresh Baked Buns.
Brad Haley, chief marketing officer of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's, says that the natural burger seems to have brought back old customers. "They simply couldn't get food like this," he says of his major burger competitors.
"Carl's Jr. had great success with the industry-first, All-Natural Burger that launched late last year," says Brad Haley, chief marketing officer of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's.
In fact, the commercial received buzz. AdWeek had rated Carl's Jr. "All-Natural" commercial with model and actress Charlotte McKinney as one of the top three social media winners of football's Super Bowl back in February.
"Given its tremendous popularity, the 'Au Naturel' ad campaign starring the pop culture phenomenon Charlotte McKinney will be coming back. Not to be outdone, the ad campaign for Carl's Jr. new Mushroom & Swiss All-Natural Burger will reveal a hot new way to go 'au naturel'," Haley adds.
In conjuction with Hardee's roll out of the natural grass-fed beef burger, Carl's Jr. will add a Mushroom burger to the line. Featuring sautéed mushrooms, natural Swiss cheese, charbroiled all-natural beef patty as the original, vine-ripened tomatoes, mayonnaise, lettuce and red onion on a fresh baked bun. Its new menu offering will be supported with a provocative new ad campaign titled "Natural Beauties." Created by Los Angeles-, New York- and Amsterdam-based advertising agency, 72andSunny, the TV spot will debut on July 27, featuring the smooth curves of the newest, not-yet-revealed, Carl's Jr. advertising star.
"Our own research has found that Millennials, as well as Gen Z and Gen Y customers, love mushrooms because of their natural, meaty flavor and are looking for menu items that incorporate better-for-you ingredients that taste great--especially in this segment," says Bart Minor, president and CEO of the Mushroom Council. "Mushrooms are the perfect pairing and the 'natural' choice for this all-natural burger," adds Minor.
The new All-Natural Burger at Hardee's is available at participating franchises as a single burger for $4.49, or as a double patty for $6.99. The new Mushroom & Swiss All-Natural Burger is available as a single patty for $5.39, or as a double for $7.89. Guests may also substitute the all-natural patty on any burger on the menu for an additional charge
