---
title: "Hardees, Carls Jr., and franchisees launch Stars for Heroes"
url: https://burnaze.com/article/e527fabe-6af3-44ef-9968-4ad861c6728c
source: "Franchise Magazine USA"
original_url: https://franchisemagazineusa.com/hardees-carls-jr-stars-for-heroes/
author: "David Gibb"
category: "Burger"
industry: "Restaurants"
segment: "Burger"
published: 2026-05-26T18:10:48.000Z
modified: 2026-11-01T00:53:15.063Z
image: https://franchisemagazineusa.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/7j3jy-b7ykx.jpg
---

# Hardees, Carls Jr., and franchisees launch Stars for Heroes

**TL;DR:** CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc. has launched the 15th annual Stars for Heroes fundraising campaign to support military families and veterans. The campaign has raised over $13 million for USA Cares and other charities over the last 14 years.

*By David Gibb, originally published in Franchise Magazine USA on 2026-05-26. [Read the original](https://franchisemagazineusa.com/hardees-carls-jr-stars-for-heroes/).*

## Story

Memorial Day may be in the rearview mirror, but one restaurant franchisor is just getting started giving back to servicepeople and their families.

CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc., the parent company of both the Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s chains of quick service restaurants, has announced the launch of their 15th annual Stars for Heroes fundraising campaign. Over the last 14 years, Stars for Heroes has raised more than $13 million for USA Cares and other charities focused on supporting military families.

“Veterans are an integral part of our communities, and Stars for Heroes is our small token of appreciation for their service and sacrifice,” said Tony D’Amico, brand president of Hardee’s. “Through this campaign, our team members, guests and franchisees unite to support USA Cares and local non-profits to ensure our communities have the resources they need when it matters most.”

The six-week fundraising window for the campaign officially began on Memorial Day and will run through August 2. During that time, guests at either restaurant can make a donation of $1 or more at the register to support post-9/11 veterans, active-duty service members, and their families.

“We’re grateful for CKE Restaurants’ continued partnership through Stars for Heroes,” said Matt Castor, president and CEO of USA Cares. “For the last 15 years, their generosity has helped USA Cares provide critical support to veterans and military families facing real challenges. Partnerships like this show what’s possible when businesses and communities come together with a shared purpose. Together, we’re helping veterans and their families find stability when they need it most.”

Stars for Heroes enables local Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s franchisees to have an impact on military families in their communities. Local operators are key partners in the effort and can select active-duty military and veteran’s charities in their communities to receive funding.

“At CKE Restaurants, we believe supporting our military heroes is both a privilege and a responsibility,” said Iwona Alter, brand president of Carl’s Jr. “We’re grateful for our guests and franchisees who make this initiative possible and together, we get to make a tangible difference in the lives of those who have sacrificed so much.”

## Entities

- QSR (sector)
- Franchise Magazine USA (publication)
- charity partnership (topic)
- David Gibb (person)
- Carl's Jr. (company)
- fundraising campaign (topic)
- Hardee's (company)
- CKE Restaurants (company)
- military support (topic)
- franchisee involvement (topic)
- Iwona Alter (person)
- qsr giving back (topic)

---
Originally reported by David Gibb, Franchise Magazine USA (https://franchisemagazineusa.com/hardees-carls-jr-stars-for-heroes/). Summarized by Burnaze (https://burnaze.com/article/e527fabe-6af3-44ef-9968-4ad861c6728c).