Jason Marker, CKE Restaurants
Jason Marker has been named c.e.o. of CKE Restaurant Holdings.

FRANKLIN, TENN. — Jason Marker has been named chief executive officer of CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc., the parent company of Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s. Mr. Marker was most recently president of KFC U.S. at Yum! Brands, Inc. He will succeed Andy Puzder, who has served as c.e.o. of CKE Restaurant Holdings since 2000 and who, tapped by President Donald J. Trump for Secretary of Labor, recently withdrew his nomination.

Mr. Marker brings to CKE Restaurants experience from a number of senior leadership roles at KFC U.S., KFC International and Unilever, and is expected to begin in his new role in April.

Andy Puzder
Andy Puzder

“Jason has tremendous experience in franchising, in the Q.S.R. sector, and in positioning and growing iconic brands,” Mr. Puzder said. “I expressed my desire to have CKE plan for succession approximately a year ago, and I could not be more pleased to have Jason Marker selected to be the company’s next leader. He is an outstanding executive who will continue to build the Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. brands both internationally and domestically.”

As president of KFC U.S., Mr. Marker oversaw a business with more than $4.2 billion in system sales, 4,200 restaurants and 450 franchisees. His efforts contributed to three consecutive years of same-store sales and transaction growth and doubling operating margins.

“I am honored to have been selected as CKE’s next c.e.o.,” Mr. Marker said. “It is a privilege to lead an organization that has pioneered the quick-service restaurant space for more than 75 years. I would like to thank Andy and his team for the amazing progress they’ve made with Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s over the past 16 years.

“As c.e.o., I will do my best to serve our customers, employees and franchisees, continuing the company’s strong history of innovation, quality and value.”

Kevin Hochman, KFC
Kevin Hochman, new president of KFC U.S.

In a separate statement, it was announced Kevin Hochman, previously chief marketing officer of KFC U.S., will succeed Mr. Marker as president of KFC U.S.

CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc. is privately held with headquarters in Franklin, Tenn. Its subsidiaries Carl’s Jr. Restaurants L.L.C. and Hardee’s Restaurants L.L.C. own, operate and franchise more than 3,800 restaurants in 44 states and 41 countries and U.S. territories.