CKE Restaurants controversies
Controversies tied to this brand in public sources. A listing is not a finding of fault.
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2019
Criticism of hypersexualized advertising
CKE's long-running Carl's Jr. and Hardee's advertising style drew criticism from advocacy groups and viewers who considered the imagery sexist or offensive. Research cited in the reference material found substantial viewer offense toward one Carl's Jr. commercial.
2018
Age-discrimination lawsuit involving CKE management
A former marketing employee sued CKE, alleging that senior management displayed hostility toward older employees and replaced older officials with younger personnel during a period of relocation and organizational change. The allegations were claims in litigation.
2017
Controversy surrounding Andrew Puzder's Labor nomination
Andrew Puzder withdrew from consideration for U.S. Secretary of Labor after public controversy involving his admission that he had employed an undocumented domestic worker without proper authorization, tax issues, and labor-related allegations concerning his companies. He resigned as CKE chief executive in March 2017.