In Memory of Our Founders
Carl N. Karcher
1917-2008
Margaret M. Karcher
1915-2006

On July 17, 1941, Carl N. Karcher and his wife, Margaret, borrowed $311 against their Plymouth Super Deluxe to buy a hot dog cart at the corner of Florence and Central Avenues in Los Angeles.

One cart grew to four, and in less than five years, Carl’s Drive-In Barbeque opened with hamburgers on the menu. Founded and built on the principles of quality and service, Carl’s Jr. continues to grow today with the same commitment to its customers that Carl and Margaret had when they bought that first hot dog cart.

“THE AMERICAN DREAM IS ALIVE AND WELL IN THIS COUNTRY OF OURS. I KNOW. I LIVED IT.”
Carl N. Karcher