More Carl’s Jr. Eateries Announced

CKE Restaurants Inc. said it plans to open 25 to 30 Carl’s Jr. fast-food restaurants next year. CKE, through its Carl Karcher Enterprises Inc. and Boston Pacific Inc. divisions, operates about 692 Carl’s Jr. and Rally’s fast-food restaurants.

CKE plans to open 15 to 17 other restaurants this year, the company said at a conference with analysts in New York. In addition to Carl’s Jr. and Carl’s Jr./Green Burrito combination restaurants, CKE operates about 27 Boston Chickens, 80 J.B.’s Restaurants, six Galaxy Diners and 16 HomeTown Buffet restaurants.

The Anaheim company also said Wednesday it has asked a federal court to block the proposed merger of HomeTown Buffet Inc. and Buffets Inc. CKE previously filed a lawsuit alleging that the companies have conspired illegally to prevent CKE’s Summit Family Restaurants unit from developing additional HomeTown Buffet restaurants in its exclusive territory. Summit operates 16 HomeTown Buffet outlets.

CKE said it is seeking an injunction in federal court in Utah, as well as a hearing before Sept. 19, the date HomeTown Buffet stockholders are scheduled to vote on the transaction.