Carl’s Jr. Joins Burger Toy War

The holiday fast-food toy war getting the most attention is the face-off between Burger King, which has launched a merchandise promotion tied to “Pokemon: The First Movie,” and McDonald’s, which is planning a big promotion tied to “Toy Story 2.”

But Anaheim-based CKE Restaurants is also getting into the act with a promotional tie-in to the film “The Nuttiest Nutcracker” at 3,700 of its Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants.

The film, which will be released straight to video around Thanksgiving, is computer-generated 3D animation using a collection of talking nuts and fruits to tell the classic Christmas tale. The Columbia TriStar Home Video release features the voices of Phyllis Diller, James Belushi and Cheech Marin.

From Nov. 17 through Dec. 21, the restaurants’ kids meals--”Cool Combos for Kids”--will include one of four toys based on characters from the film.

Although Carl’s Jr. has been including more recognizable licensed toy characters with its meals for kids in recent years, “we don’t compete and can’t compete with the toys McDonald’s and Burger King have,” said spokeswoman Suzi Brown.