CKE Restaurants, Inc. CEO and President Andrew F. Puzder Named Spokesperson of the Year

CKE Restaurants, Inc. CEO and President Andrew F. Puzder Named Spokesperson of the Year

Puzder Honored in TV/Radio Category by PR News and CommCore Consulting

CARPINTERIA, Calif., Dec. 8 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE:CKR) announced today that CEO and president Andrew F. Puzder has been selected Spokesperson of the Year for Television and Radio by PR News and CommCore Consulting Group. The award was announced last night during the first annual event honoring finalists and winners in New York.

"After 20 years of preparing CEOs, government officials, and non-profit spokespersons, we know that it takes skill, confidence and experience to succeed in media interviews," said Andrew Gilman, CommCore president and chief executive officer. "This award is important because it sets an industry standard for excellence in print, broadcast and crisis media communications."

A blue-chip panel of judges in the communications field selected finalists by category and according to specific criteria. Puzder was recognized for successfully delivering the key messages of his company's Monster Thickburger campaign at Hardee's and for his unapologetically bold defense of a controversial commercial featuring Paris Hilton. Said Puzder, "It is truly a privilege to be recognized as the PR News and CommCore Consulting Spokesperson of the Year in the TV/Radio category. Our Carl's Jr. and Hardee's restaurant chains generated tremendous publicity, including coverage of product introductions such as the Hardee's Monster Thickburger; widespread interest in our financial results, which were exceptional; and an avalanche of inquiries about our controversial advertising featuring Paris Hilton eating a Carl's Jr. burger while washing a Bentley. I believe that the key to effective communication in the broadcast media is to thoroughly know your company; know your customers; know who is interviewing you; and remember to keep a sense of humor."

The distinguished field of finalists included the American Red Cross of the National Capital Area, Microsoft Corporation, Southwest Airlines, and Visa USA. Winners were also recognized in the categories of print spokesperson and crisis spokesperson (print/broadcast). Other winners included Robert Elek of Verizon Communications and Will Cross of Novo Nordisk Inc.

About PR News

Now in its 61st year, PR News is the most trusted, executive level, reader-supported publication that helps enhance the business impact of PR. Each week, PR News provides action-oriented feature stories, behind-the-scenes case studies and unparalleled access to communications-related market research, metrics and data. The PR News family of products includes the weekly newsletter, awards programs, webinars, guidebooks and a Web site, www.prnewsonline.com.

About CommCore Consulting Group

CommCore Consulting Group is a privately held specialty communications firm serving businesses, government agencies, and non-profit organizations around the world. For the past 20 years, the company has specialized in communications training, message development, communications strategy, and crisis planning and response services. CommCore is led by its president and CEO, Andrew D. Gilman -- a lawyer, award-winning journalist, and co-author of the best-selling book Get To The Point. CommCore is headquartered in Washington, D.C., and has offices in New York City and Los Angeles. More information about the company is available at www.commcoreconsulting.com

As of the second fiscal quarter ended Aug. 15, 2005, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,159 franchised or company-owned restaurants in 43 states and in 13 countries, including 1,032 Carl's Jr. restaurants, 2,011 Hardee's restaurants and 100 La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grill restaurants.

Source: CKE Restaurants, Inc.

CONTACT: Anne Hallock of Carl's Jr., +1-805-745-7741, ahallock@ckr.com;
or Kate Greenberg of Weber Shandwick, +1-310-854-8264,
kgreenberg@webershandwick.com, for CKE Restaurants, Inc.

Web site: http://www.prnewsonline.com/
http://www.commcoreconsulting.com/

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