Consumer >> CEO Interviews >> May 31, 2004
ANDREW F. PUZDER was named President and Chief Executive Officer of CKE
Restaurants, Inc., in September 2000. Mr. Puzder joined the company in
1997 as Executive Vice President, General Counsel, overseeing
franchising at Carl's Jr. and, in 1998, began overseeing franchising at
Hardee's as well. In June 2000, he was appointed President and Chief
Executive Officer of Hardee's Food Systems, Inc., before moving on to
his current position as President and CEO of the parent company. Prior
to joining CKE Restaurants, Inc., Mr. Puzder served as Executive Vice
President, General Counsel for Fidelity National Financial, Inc., and
Chief Executive Officer of Santa Barbara Restaurant Group, Inc. He was
formerly a Partner with the law firm Stradling, Yocca, Carlson & Rauth.
Mr. Puzder received his Juris Doctorate in 1978 from Washington
University School of Law in St. Louis and is a member of the California,
Nevada and Missouri Bar Associations. Profile
TWST: Would you start us off with a brief historical sketch of CKERestaurants and a picture of what is most important at the present time?
Mr. Puzder: Our company has two principal brands.