T.G.I. Friday’s Sues CKE to Block Carl’s Jr. Ads

T.G.I. Friday’s, a casual-dining restaurant chain, sued CKE Restaurants Inc.’s Carl’s Jr. to stop the fast-food operator’s “six-dollar burger” advertising campaign.

Friday’s claims that Carl’s Jr.’s advertisements are false, misleading and unfair competition, according to the lawsuit filed in U.S. District Court in Los Angeles. One of the Carl’s Jr.’s posters states that the fast-food chain’s $3.95 burger is “like the burger I just paid about $6.25 for at Friday’s.”

Dallas-based Friday’s seeks a court order to stop the ads and wants compensation for damages the campaign has allegedly caused.

CKE executives did not immediately return a call for comment.

Friday’s said the Carl’s Jr. campaign is hurting the pub-style restaurant’s own new ad campaign touting all-natural, 100% Angus beef burgers. A news release introducing the new burger was issued Monday.

“Defendant’s claims of product parity are false and misleading because Friday’s burgers are made with 100% natural Angus beef, while Carl’s Jr.’s burgers are made with conventional hamburger meat,” the nine-page lawsuit said.

Friday’s, owned by closely held Carlson Restaurants Worldwide Inc., has more than 700 restaurants in the U.S. Carl’s Jr. operates 969 stores in 12 Western states.

Shares of CKE Restaurants, which also operates the Hardee’s hamburger chain, fell 8 cents Friday to $3.92 on the New York Stock Exchange.