Carl Karcher, Founder of Carl's Jr. Dies

In 1976 I got a job at a small fast foot restaurant near my home in West Covina, California. It was called Carl's Jr. It was my first real job and I worked a grand total of about 6 hours a week for $1.75 an hour. I stayed at Carl's Jr. for five years, eventually becoming a training store manager. Yesterday, Carl Karcher, founder of the chain died of pneumonia. He was 90 years old. The Los Angeles Times ran a nice obituary today. Midway through there was mention of the company's growth and expansion. "The focus of his energies was the restaurant chain, which continued to flourish. Sales topped $100 million in 1979, when Karcher opened his first restaurant outside California, in Las Vegas." I was one of the managers who opened that store in Las Vegas June 5, 1979. That was when I met Carl. As we were talking I managed to drop a steak sandwich onto his nice clean off white Palm Beach suit. It was a mess but he was very gracious and we were both able to laugh about it. Carl's story is one of the great success stories of America. He was hard working, dedicated to his family, and a man of God. He will be missed by many. Sign the Orange County Register Guest Book