CKE Restaurants, Inc. Responds to Ramius LLC Letter

CARPINTERIA, Calif., June 17 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- The following
communication was sent from CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) to Ramius LLC in
response to a letter received earlier in the day:
Mr. Robert M. Kaynor
Mr. Jeffrey C. Smith
Ramius LLC
599 Lexington Avenue
New York, New York 10022

Dear Messrs. Kaynor and Smith,

Thank you for your letter dated today, June 17th, 2008. As you know from
our frequent discussions, we take the concerns of our shareholders very
seriously and we are always open to addressing shareholder concerns. We have
done so many times with Ramius and others and will continue doing so in the
future. However, such conversations and communications must be subject to the
applicable rules and regulations governing the disclosure of material
non-public information.
As you also know, our Shareholders' Meeting is in two days time, on
Thursday, June 19th; our quarterly results are due to be released on
Wednesday, June 25th; and our Q1 '09 earnings conference call will take place
on Thursday, June 26th.
We have previously informed you that we are constrained in our dialogue
with respect to the issues raised in your letter until we make certain
disclosures according to the above timetable and applicable rules and
regulations but that we would welcome a more thorough dialogue thereafter. At
that time, everyone will be in a position to have a more informed and, I hope,
more productive conversation. Thanks again for your interest in CKE.

Sincerely,

Andrew F. Puzder
President and CEO
CKE Restaurants, Inc.

About CKE Restaurants, Inc.
Headquartered in Carpinteria, California, CKE Restaurants, Inc. is
publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol "CKR". As of
its fiscal 2008 fourth quarter ended Jan. 28, 2008, CKE Restaurants, Inc.,
through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,067 franchised, licensed or
company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 13 countries, including 1,141
Carl's Jr. restaurants and 1,926 Hardee's restaurants. For more information
about CKE Restaurants, please go to http://www.ckr.com
Safe Harbor Disclosure
Matters discussed in this news release contain forward-looking statements
relating to future plans and developments, financial goals and operating
performance that are based on management's current beliefs and assumptions.
Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties that are often
difficult to predict, are beyond the Company's control and which may cause
results to differ materially from expectations. Factors that could cause the
Company's results to differ materially from those described include, but are
not limited to, whether or not restaurants will be closed and the number of
restaurant closures, consumers' concerns or adverse publicity regarding the
Company's products, the effectiveness of operating initiatives and advertising
and promotional efforts (particularly at the Hardee's brand), changes in
economic conditions or prevailing interest rates, changes in the price or
availability of commodities, availability and cost of energy, workers'
compensation and general liability premiums and claims experience, changes in
the Company's suppliers' ability to provide quality and timely products to the
Company, delays in opening new restaurants or completing remodels, severe
weather conditions, the operational and financial success of the Company's
franchisees, franchisees' willingness to participate in the Company's
strategies, the availability of financing for the Company and its franchisees,
unfavorable outcomes in litigation, changes in accounting policies and
practices, effectiveness of internal controls over financial reporting, new
legislation or government regulation (including environmental laws), the
availability of suitable locations and terms for the sites designated for
development, and other factors as discussed in the Company's filings with the
Securities and Exchange Commission.
Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made. The
Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any
forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, future
events or otherwise, except as required by law or the rules of the New York
Stock Exchange.
SOURCE CKE Restaurants, Inc.

Beth Mansfield, Public Relations of CKE Restaurants, Inc., +1-805-745-7741,
bmansfield@ckr.com