Carl Karcher, 90; entrepreneur turned hot dog stand into a fast-food empire

Los Angeles Times ^ | January 11, 2008 | Eric Malnic

[americanophile]

Carl Karcher, who parlayed a single hot dog pushcart into a chain of more than 1,000 fast-food restaurants bearing his name, died Friday. He was 90.

The affable, burly entrepreneur, known to millions as the jovial television pitchman for the Carl's Jr. chain, died of complications from Parkinson's-related pneumonia at St. Jude Medical Center in Fullerton, according to Beth Mansfield, a spokeswoman for parent company CKE Restaurants. A stalwart Orange County Republican, Karcher worked tirelessly for the party and its candidates, still finding time for active and enthusiastic involvement in local causes, including United Way of Orange County, Orangewood Children's Home, the Roman Catholic Knights of Malta, Right to Life League and South Coast Repertory Theater.

The paneled library of his 6,500-square-foot home in Anaheim was adorned with photos of Karcher with the famous, powerful and influential, including Presidents Reagan and Nixon, Soviet President Mikhail Gorbachev, entertainer Bob Hope and Pope John Paul II.

[RichInOC]

"Man, it is really hot in here...Mom! [fweet!] Yo, Mom! You're not wolfin' down jalapeños again, are ya? Yeah, 'cause let me tell you about my friend, Ned. His momma ate nothin' but spicy foods?...Homeboy came out red, Ma. Bright red. So if you keep crammin' those peppers down your neck, I might just bust out of here early...grab something on the way out, take it with me."

--Carl's Jr. commercial, 2005

[mylife]

Carl’s is a bit eclectic. Hardee’s is just midwest burgers

[ErnBatavia]

And I live in L.A, the land of In N Out Burger.

We've got one just down the road in Indio...it was the only place open after Christmas Eve services two years ago, so that's where we had some mighty fine succulence that year:

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

That’s because it is subpar. Used to be good years ago, like most things these days.

That would be kind of hard for In and Out as they’re only in 3 states, Ca, Nev, and Az.

Did I go to the wrong ones? I wasn’t impressed.

[ErnBatavia]

Reading, I see that he had Parkinson's and got pneumonia...same scenario as my 94 year old father, four months ago.

Apparently, Parkinson's can affect the swallowing mechanism, resulting in "aspirational pneumonia"; the sufferer ends up getting liquid in the lungs.

It killed Dad, too.

[mylife]

Its just fast food, but Carl Made a pretty good burger for a fast food joint

[tertiary01]

I bought a Carl’s buy one get one free, wonderful mushroom and cheese burger just last Tues. While waiting I looked at the pictures posted around the restaurant of a young Carl standing in front of his first stand which appeared to be about 12x12 and then a few years later after it was remodeled. Looked a little bigger with a paint job. RIP Carl

[MinorityRepublican]

WOW, I wish they’ll expand that chain to over here on the East Coast.

[mylife]

The western star cheeseburger rocks.

I think Carl was the first fast food guy to mix it up.

They all try to do it now. ciabatta rolls and all that, but Carl was the man.

I’m not a fast food kinda guy, but I have to admit The western star is a pretty good burger

[upsdriver]

I went and looked at their website. Looks pretty regional. I have been in about half those states but I guess I wasn’t looking for fast food so it didn’t register with me. Did Hardee’s rip him off for their six dollar hamburgers?

[mylife]

I dunno. I used the eat are both places, when I was in the area.

Last time I ate there Hardee’s was like a mid western charbroiled kind if place, nothin fancy, just filling and tasty.

Carls wasnt to pretentious either, but was a a place that pushed the limits a bit.
Carl was the first to push the burger of identity. Not a plain ol burger, but one that had a particular flavor and soul.

I liked that. Love the western star

[mylife]

Just saw that Carl was from Sandusky Oh.

[mylife]

http://www.carlsjr.com/company/karcher

[thefactor]

i wonder how many times he ate at his places in the last, say, 50 years. my guess...almost never.

i wonder if sam walton shops at walmart or neiman marcus.

[mylife]

[irishjuggler]

Does anyone remember the french fries that Carl’s Jr had in the early ‘80s? They were sort of a golden brown, crinkle-cut style? Man, I miss those fries.

[EDINVA]

used to be a regular at a Carl’s in Newport Beach when I lived there in the 70’s. Sorry we don’t have ‘em back East.

He did brilliantly throughout his life .. may he rest in peace.

[lexington minuteman 1775]

Great American Entreprenuer. RIP Carl.When I was young in LA area it was either Carls’s Juniors or In-n-Out for burgers.

[JRios1968]

I guess he’s now all over the place

[Tolerance Sucks Rocks]

RIP, Carl. Your half-pound burgers are good.