Support NeoGAF

[XiaNaphryz]

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/20...jr-betting-quality-re-enters-japanese-market/

With its return to Japan Friday after 19 years, U.S.-based hamburger chain Carl’s Jr. says it is confident it can penetrate the market amid increasing demand for better burgers.

“We’re extremely confident about our brand and our business. We have a best-in-class menu platform that really positions us well against our competitors,” Ned Lyerly, president of parent CKE Restaurant Holdings Inc.’s international business, said at its Akihabara store in Tokyo on Wednesday ahead of its launch.

He said Carl’s Jr.’s food is freshly made, with 100 percent Angus beef used in its chargrilled Thickburger series.

Lyerly said the company aimed to open 150 stores in Japan in 10 years, with its local unit, Carl’s Jr. Japan, flagging more stores in other areas of Tokyo this year.

Masato Watanabe, who heads Carl’s Jr. Japan, said the price range of ¥490 to about ¥1,200 accommodated customers both seeking cheaper and more premium burgers.

Carl’s Jr. first entered the Japanese market in 1989 but withdrew in 1997.

Lyerly said now was a good time to re-enter the market. “The better burger business has really expanded and people’s demand for better, higher quality burgers has expanded here in Tokyo and globally,” he said. “. . . We are perfectly positioned for that.”

Looks like the first location opened in Akihabara.

 

[Reversed]

A weapon to surpass ドナルドさん.

 

[vern]

Carl's Jr. in China is the best American fast food chain. Expensive though. When I get sick of Chinese food this is usually my go to burger place. If this is equally as good I'll maybe eat there next time I'm in Japan when I'm tired of Japanese food. Funny I don't think I've ate at a Carl's Jr. in the States in like 10+ years. Sucks that that pure Japanese culture is getting Americanized though

 

[Angry Grimace]

I remember when the Six Dollar Burger was supposed to be indicative of quality as opposed to a straight-forward description of the product.

Although I assume it would be the 700 Yen Burger there.

 

[SalvaPot]

Carls Jr is so good, the Western Bacon Cheeseburger is my go-to comfort food.

 

[Noema]

Carl's Jr. went from not having any presence in Mexico to being the dominant fast food chain in 8 years. They opened over 200 restaurants in that time period. So I believe they could work their magic in other countries.

 

[univariate]

Everything is cooler in Japan .

 

[A Fish Aficionado]

Waifu?

 

[ReAxion]

I bet they do well.

 

[BobTheFork]

I don't think I've ever eaten at CJ's
In my mind they are still Hardee's

 

[Reversed]

Carl's Jr. went from not having any presence in Mexico to being the dominant fast food chain in 8 years. They opened over 200 restaurants in that time period. So I believe they could work their magic in other countries.

McDonalds had to end up opening ice cream stores because their burgers aren't selling shit.

Does Japan have Little Caesars? Their stores grew up fast in here, too.

 

[AlexMeloche]

And here in Canada there are still none in my province.

 

[sfedai0]

How bout you come to the east coast first

 

[FyreWulff]

I don't think I've ever eaten at CJ's
In my mind they are still Hardee's

They still are Hardee's in the Midwest. I wonder if they'll eventually consolidate the naming

 

[LogicStep]

Is Hardee's any good? Never been.

 

[BananasWithGuns]

Is Hardee's any good? Never been.

In terms of fast food, yeah, it's great. Even better if you can find one with a Red Burrito. Grab a burger and some tacos.

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

Is Hardee's any good? Never been.

It's a slightly better version of Burger King.

 

[ReAxion]

They still are Hardee's in the Midwest. I wonder if they'll eventually consolidate the naming

They are slowly converting Hardee's to Carl's Jr since CJ bought Hardee's.

 

[DigtialT]

I thought Carl Jr was a person and was wondering why he stayed away so long.

 

[FyreWulff]

They are slowly converting Hardee's to Carl's Jr since CJ bought Hardee's.

That was a long time ago, and ours was recently renovated and kept the name

https://goo.gl/maps/VpNdndUZMHx

 

[Caja 117]

How bout you come to the east coast first

Yes, I have always wanted to try them.

 

[inner-G]

Is Hardee's any good? Never been.

Better for breakfast than their burgers, imo

Their bacon, egg and cheese biscuit is god-tier

 

[TheSeks]

How bout you come to the east coast first

Uh... what is Hardee's?

In any case, these lines for Fast Food in Japan always blow my mind.

 

[studyguy]

That girl in the middle with the burger is staring into my soul or something, stare looks weird for some reason.

 

[Ballistik]

I remember when the Six Dollar Burger was supposed to be indicative of quality as opposed to a straight-forward description of the product.

Although I assume it would be the 700 Yen Burger there.

I stopped by this week and got the 1/2lb original six dollar burger medium combo, paid about $10.25. Was still really good.

 

[jstripes]

And here in Canada there are still none in my province.

They opened a couple in Toronto. They didn't even last half a year.

I went inside one to check it out, but I didn't wanna pay $8.99 for a burger.

 

[Reversed]

Uh... what is Hardee's?

In any case, these lines for Fast Food in Japan always blow my mind.

Considering sushi conveyor belts are a thing there, why don't western chain foods follow suit and apply it in their restaurants?

 

[fredrancour]

all this international expansion yet i still don't have one here in MA

 

[kewlmyc]

Why are all the signs in English?

 

[Man God]

That's some bold expansion plan.

 

[FStop7]

But Carl's Jr. is digusting

 

[LiK]

Time for Japan to get fat.

 

[Starfish Hero]

It's a slightly better version of Burger King.

Hardees dumps on Burger King.

Everything dumps on Burger King.

 

[B-Dex]

They are slowly expanding in BC. Love me some Carl's Jr.

 

[Clegg]

Any relation to Jack Sjunior?

 

[BobTheFork]

They still are Hardee's in the Midwest. I wonder if they'll eventually consolidate the naming

Really? I had no idea they still had locations. I grew up in Illinois where they had Hardee's but everything in Colorado is a Carl's Jr

 

[Tubobutts]

If I wasn't trying to lose weight , I'd be eating way more El Diablo Burgers.

 

[BocoDragon]

Why are all the signs in English?

Why is there Japanese writing all over a ramen menu in America?

 

[XiaNaphryz]

Vlog of someone visiting the new Carl's Jr in Akihabara:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa29eqw_z1E

"It's exactly like back home, but more expensive!"

 

[orochi91]

Those burgers are massive!

 

[Rootbeer]

"Taste of California"

really?

Well, they look SLIGHTLY better than the local Carl's I've been to in the last year. The interior is very nice though.

The prices don't seem that inflated either.

I would trust a Japanese fast food Carl's way more than a local one too, that's for sure. The employees at fast food joints in the states literally don't give a flying shit about anything. You can't blame them with the pay/benefits. But with the way the entire culture is in Japan, the overall experience is probably decent.

 

[Dominican Power]

This high demand for meat is causing an environmental disaster and completely unsustainable.

 

[Blablurn]

Welcome back Carl

 

[Technosteve]

No shake shack in japan?

 

[PsychBat!]

Hell yeah

I love the Double Western Bacon Cheeseburger, there's no other sauce that tastes the same imo.

 

[Premium Quality]

Japan has no idea what they are in for. Those burgers are huge.
Right now, I like their big chicken breast sandwich.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

No shake shack in japan?

It's mentioned in the rest of the article I linked to in the OP.

 

[sprsk]

i fucking new the lines would be crazy. Damn't

 

[Branduil]

It's too hard to get a good burger here.

 

[XiaNaphryz]

i fucking new the lines would be crazy. Damn't

So you didn't wait in line to vlog the festivities?