Carl’s Jr. Trademarks
Please note: Gerben IP does not represent Carl’s Jr.. This page is provided for informational purposes and reflects information available in public USPTO records.
September 21, 2023
Carl’s Jr. is an operator of a chain of fast-food restaurants and its headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee. Carl’s Jr.offers breakfast, lunch, sides, dessert, and dinner options through its franchisees. The company’s top menu item is the charbroiled burger, which has made it one of the favorite restaurants for residents on the West Coast.
Carl’s Jr. has steadily grown to cover more than 1,000 locations across the United States. It also serves 28 other countries globally. Let’s look at the company’s history and its trademarks.
Carl’s Jr.’s History
Carl Karcher, a truck driver, founded Carl’s Jr.in 1941. He and his wife, Margaret, took out a $311 loan (about $5,730 today) on their Plymouth vehicle, combined it with $15 (about $276 today) in savings, and purchased a hotdog cart. They used this cart to open their first food business at the corner of Florence and Central in Los Angeles.
Using their newly-purchased cart, the couple sold hotdogs, tamales, and chill dogs for a dime (which is approximately $2 today) and a nickel for a soda (approximately $1 today). The business steadily grew, and within a few years, they’d expanded to own and operate four hotdog stands in Los Angeles.
In 1945, the Karchers opened their first full-service restaurant, Carl’s Drive-In Barbecue, in Anaheim, California. The couple added hamburgers to their menu for the first time in 1946.
The Karcher’s opened the first two Carl’s Jr. restaurants in 1956. One was opened locally in Anaheim and the other in Brea. The restaurants were named Carl’s Jr. because they were smaller versions of Carl’s Drive-In Barbecue restaurant.
While Carl’s Jr.’s current corporate headquarters are located in Franklin, Tennessee, headquarters were originally located in Anaheim, next to the former flagship location. In 2003, corporate moved 500 feet down the road. Fifteen years later corporate headquarters would move across the country to Tennesse.
After the first two Carl’s Jr. locations opened in 1956, two more locations would be added in Orange County, California by the end of the decade. Donald F. Karcher, Carl’s younger brother, would become the chain’s new supervisor during this time as well. He would later climb the corporate ladder to become the company’s president.
By the 1960s, Carl’s Jr. had expanded to 24 locations in Southern California. In 1966, the business was incorporated as Carl Karcher Enterprises Inc. Two years later, the company started an aggressive expansion drive. The Karchers quickly realized that the menu had to be limited to facilitate faster service. Therefore, it only featured charbroiled hamburgers, fries, hotdogs, and malts.
Carl’s Jr. could be found in over 100 locations in Southern California by 1975. The company then began to focus its expansion in the northern part of the state. In 1976, Carl’s Jr. built its Anaheim Corporate headquarters to celebrate its success. In 1977, it became the first fast food/quick service restaurant chain to offer salad bars in all 200 of its locations.
In 1979, Carl’s Jr.opened its first out-of-state restaurant, located in Las Vegas, Nevada. By the end of the 1970s, the company was making over $100 million in sales. In 1981, the parent company, Carl Karcher Enterprises became publicly held and the chain was operating 300 locations. In 1984, Carl’s Jr signed its first franchising deal.
The 1980s would see the expansion of the Carl’s Jr. menu. The expanded menu, included breakfast items, the Western Bacon Cheeseburger, self-service soda fountains, and charbroiled chicken sandwiches.
At the end of the ’80s, the company claimed over $480 million in sales across its 534 locations. The company also opened its first international location on Pacific Rim by the end of the decade.
Carl’s Jr.’s International Footprint
Carl’s Jr. has enjoyed rapid expansion since it first opened in 1945. In 2015, the company opened its 200th restaurant in Mexico. The brand first entered the Mexican market in 1991.
The quick service restaurant company opened its first location in India in 2016. The location, which opened in August could be found at Saket’s Select Citywalk Mall in Delhi. As of 2017, the company had 3,665 franchised or company-operated restaurants spread across 44 states and U.S. territories, as well as 39 foreign countries.
Carl’s Jr. Trademarks
Carl’s Jr. has sought or obtained a federal registration for over 50 trademarks. These include “SUNRISE SANDWICH,” “FRENCH TOAST DIPS,” “THE BIG CARL,” and “THE REALLY BIG CARL.”
The company obtained a federal trademark registration for “SUNRISE SANDWICH” in August 1983 and uses the trademark for its sandwiches consumed on and off the premises.
Carl’s Jr. also received a federal trademark registration for “FRENCH TOAST DIPS” in 1988. The company uses the trademark for its fast-food restaurant services.
In September 2021, Carl’s Jr. applied to register “THE REALLY BIG CARL” as a federal trademark. The company intends to use the trademark for its hamburger sandwiches.
Please note: While we make every effort to ensure that the information provided is accurate and up-to-date, we cannot be held responsible for its accuracy or completeness. If you have any questions regarding a specific entity in Gerben's Trademark Library®, please contact us and we will work with you to provide the information you need.
- FAMOUS FOR A REASON
- CARL'S JR.
- CARL'S JR.
- THE REALLY BIG CARL
- SUPER STAR
- SUPER STAR
- STAR PALS
- HARDEE'S
- CARL'S JR.
- Logo #1
- STAR PALS
- HARDEE'S
- HARDEE'S
- CARL'S JR.
- CARL'S JR.
- Logo #2
- Logo #3
- HARDEE'S
- HARDEE'S
- PIONEERS OF THE GREAT AMERICAN BURGER
- REAL MEXICAN. REAL BIG.
- GREEN BURRITO
- RED BURRITO
- HARDEE'S CHARBROILED THICKBURGERS
- GB
- HARDEE'S
- GREEN BURRITO
- THE WESTERN BACON SIX DOLLAR BURGER
- Logo #4
- GREEN BURRITO
- DOUBLE WESTERN BACON CHEESEBURGER
- THE BIG CARL
- THE FOOD IS THE FRANCHISE
- EAT LIKE YOU MEAN IT
- CARL'S CLASSICS
- SUNRISE CROISSANT
- FAMOUS STAR
- BACON SWISS CRISPY CHICKEN
- GREEN BURRITO
- CARL'S JR. CHARBROILED BURGERS
- CARL'S JR. CHARBROILED BURGERS
- CARL'S JR. CHARBROILED BURGERS
- COOL KIDS COMBOS
- Logo #5
- Logo #6
- WESTERN BACON CHEESEBURGER
- FRENCH TOAST DIPS
- CARL'S JR.
- Logo #7
- WESTERN BACON CHEESEBURGER
- Logo #8
- SUNRISE SANDWICH
- Logo #9
- SUPER STAR
- CARL'S JR.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Online retail store services featuring virtual goods in the nature of, food, and beverages, authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs); Digital retail store services featuring downloadable and non-downloadable virtual goods in the nature of food items and beverages authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs); Retail store services featuring virtual goods in the nature of access tokens for use in online virtual worlds; Conducting a loyalty incentive program whereby individuals can earn real world and virtual rewards to use toward the purchase of real and virtual foods and beverages; Administration of a rewards program featuring virtual rewards that can be redeemed in the real or virtual world to promote the sale of foods and beverages; Online retail store services featuring virtual foods and beverages authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S Providing temporary use of non-downloadable software that gives users the ability to upload, modify and share virtual reality content, augmented reality content, mixed reality content, information, experiences and data; Providing temporary use of non-downloadable software offering virtual food and beverage products authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs); Providing online non-downloadable software for storage of multimedia files containing artwork, text, audio, and video files authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs); Providing online non-downloadable computer software for facilitating commercial transactions authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs).
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Virtual restaurants, namely, providing online restaurant services featuring food and drink available for home delivery; operating a virtual restaurant online featuring home delivery.
IC 009. US 021 038 026 023 036. G & S Downloadable multimedia files containing artwork, text, audio, and video relating to restaurants, foods, and drinks authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs); Downloadable virtual goods, namely, downloadable image files of and computer programs featuring foods and drinks authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs) and digital tokens; Downloadable virtual goods, namely, image files of and computer programs featuring virtual foods and drinks for use in online virtual worlds, authenticated by non-fungible tokens (NFTs); Downloadable software for viewing non-fungible tokens (NFTs); Downloadable software for use in electronically storing, sending, receiving, accepting and transmitting non-fungible tokens (NFTs); Downloadable software for providing access to virtual restaurants, foods and drinks.
IC 041. US 107 100 101. G & S Entertainment services, namely, providing online virtual worlds featuring restaurants, food, and drink for recreational, leisure or entertainment purposes.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Hamburger sandwiches. FIRST USE: 20191009. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20191009.
IC 030. US 046. G & S hamburger sandwiches. FIRST USE: 19750618. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19750618.
IC 029. US 046. G & S hamburger patties. FIRST USE: 19750618. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19750618.
IC 029. US 046. G & S Combination meal consisting primarily of a meat or chicken-based entrée, a side dish, dessert, and a beverage for consumption on or off the premises; food and beverage items for consumption on or off the premises, namely, chicken tenders, chicken pieces, French fries, onion rings, fried zucchini, milk, shakes. FIRST USE: 20180627. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180627.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Food and beverage items for consumption on or off the premises, namely, hamburger sandwiches, cheeseburger sandwiches, sandwiches, bakery desserts. FIRST USE: 20180627. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180627.
IC 032. US 045 046 048. G & S Food and beverage items for consumption on or off the premises, namely, carbonated non-alcoholic drinks, fruit juice. FIRST USE: 20180627. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180627.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20180430. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180430.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20180430. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180430.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20180410. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180410.
IC 029. US 046. G & S Combination meal consisting primarily of a meat or chicken-based entrée, a side dish, dessert, and a beverage for consumption on or off the premises. FIRST USE: 20180627. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180627.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Food and beverage items for consumption on or off the premises, namely, hamburgers, cheeseburgers, sandwiches, chicken tenders, chicken pieces, French fries, onion rings, fried zucchini, carbonated beverages, milk, juice, shakes and desserts. FIRST USE: 20180627. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20180627.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170615. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170615.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170615. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170615.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170615. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170615.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170615. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170615.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170626. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170626.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170626. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170626.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170415. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170415.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170415. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170415.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20170426. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20170426.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20161012. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20161012.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Food items for consumption on or off the premises, namely, tortas, chile relleno, chile verde, grilled fish, grilled shrimp, tortilla soup, menudo, shredded beef known as carne asada, shredded pork known as carnitas, grilled chicken, steak, ground beef, burritos, tacos, nachos, quesadillas, chips, guacamole, and grilled or barbecued meats wrapped in a tortilla alone or in combination with other fruits, vegetables, cheese, and/or salsas. FIRST USE: 20110420. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110420.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20110420. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110420.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services featuring Mexican cuisine. FIRST USE: 20050915. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20050915.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20030000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20030000.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20110420. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20110420.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20080721. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20080721.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 19890100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19890100.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Specially prepared sandwiches, namely, restaurant-style hamburgers and cheeseburgers sold at a quick service restaurant outlet at a quick service restaurant price. FIRST USE: 20030703. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20030703.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant Services. FIRST USE: 20020811. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20020811.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant Services. FIRST USE: 20020811. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20020811.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Food items, namely, sandwiches for consumption on or off the premises. FIRST USE: 19820400. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19820400.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Food items, namely, sandwiches for consumption on or off the premises. FIRST USE: 20090819. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20090819.
IC 035. US 100 101 102. G & S Franchise and franchising services, namely, offering technical, business management, consultation, organization, and promotion assistance in the establishment and operation of restaurants. FIRST USE: 20061200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20061200.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20060501. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20060501.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20071114. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20071114.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Sandwiches for consumption on and off the premises. FIRST USE: 20050500. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20050500.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Food items, namely, sandwiches for consumption on or off the premises. FIRST USE: 19721231. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19721231.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Food items, namely, sandwiches for consumption on or off the premises. FIRST USE: 19961230. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19961230.
IC 029. US 046. G & S Food items for consumption on or off the premises, namely, [ chile relleno, chile verde, grilled fish, grilled shrimp, tortilla soup, menudo, ] shredded beef known as carne asada [, shredded pork known as carnitas, ] and grilled chicken. FIRST USE: 19800000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19800000.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Food items for consumption on or off the premises, namely, burritos, tacos, [ tostadas, ]quesadillas, [ tamales, chimichangas, enchiladas, fajitas, Mexican style meat pies known as tortas, ] nachos, taquitos, [ flautas, ] rice, corn chips, flour-based chips, taco chips, hard taco shells, tortilla chips, [ gorditas, churros, flan, corn cakes, ] salsa [, cheese sauces, ] tomato-based sauces [ and seasonings ]. FIRST USE: 19800000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19800000.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20070100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070100.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20070100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20070100.
IC 043. US 100 101. G & S Restaurant services. FIRST USE: 20071114. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20071114.
IC 030. US 046. G & S MEAL CONSISTING OF A SPECIALTY SANDWICH SERVED WITH FRENCH FRIED POTATOES AND A SOFT DRINK FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR OFF THE PREMISES. FIRST USE: 20020100. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 20020100.
IC 042. US 100 101. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19971000. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19971000.
IC 032. US 045 046 048. G & S beer, soft drinks and fruit juices, for consumption on or off the premises. FIRST USE: 19780206. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19780206.
IC 030. US 046. G & S SPECIALLY PREPARED HAMBURGER SANDWICH COMPRISED OF A BEEF PATTY WITH BACON, CHEESE, FRIED ONION RINGS, AND HICKORY BARBEQUE SAUCE FOR CONSUMPTION ON OR OFF THE PREMISES. FIRST USE: 19820720. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19820720.
IC 042. US 100. G & S FAST FOOD RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19840514. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19840514.
IC 016. US 002 037. G & S PAPER NAPKINS, PAPER BAGS, FOOD WRAPPERS, AND PAPER PLACE MATS. FIRST USE: 19640200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19790607.
IC 020. US 002 013 022 025 032 050. G & S [ DRINKING STRAWS ]. FIRST USE: 19640200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19790607.
IC 021. US 002. G & S DISPOSABLE COFFEE CUPS, PAPER CUPS, AND DISPOSABLE FOOD CONTAINERS. FIRST USE: 19640200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19790607.
IC 016. US 037. G & S PAPER NAPKINS, PAPER BAGS, FOOD WRAPPERS, AND PAPER PLACE MATS. FIRST USE: 19780206. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19790607.
IC 020. US 002 013 022 025 032 050. G & S [ DRINKING STRAWS ]. FIRST USE: 19780206. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19790607.
IC 021. US 002. G & S DISPOSABLE COFFEE CUPS, PAPER CUPS, AND DISPOSABLE FOOD CONTAINERS. FIRST USE: 19780206. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19790607.
IC 042. US 100. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19820720. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19820720.
IC 029. US 046. G & S French Fried Onion Rings, French Fried Potatoes, Hash Browned Potatoes, [ Specially Prepared Baked Potatoes, ] Cooked Sausage, Cooked Bacon, Soups, Chili Con Carne with Beans, Specially Cooked Eggs and Omelettes, Milk, Fruit Jellies and Jams, Salad Dressings, for Consumption On or Off the Premises. FIRST USE: 19780206. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19780206.
IC 030. US 046. G & S Specially Prepared Sandwiches-Namely, Hamburger Sandwiches, Steak Sandwiches, Roast Beef Sandwiches, Chicken Sandwiches, Fish Sandwiches, Specially Prepared Breakfast Sandwiches Consisting of Sausage or Bacon and Eggs, Hot Dog Sandwiches, Specially Prepared Meat Burritos, Milk Shakes, Pancakes, Toasted Breads, English Muffins, Mustard, Ketchup, Sugar, Coffee, Hot Cocoa, and Tea, for Consumption On or Off the Premises. FIRST USE: 19780206. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19780206.
IC 031. US 001 046. G & S [ Fresh Fruits and Fresh Vegetables for Consumption On or Off the Premises ]. FIRST USE: 19780206. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19780206.
IC 030. US 049. G & S Sandwiches, for Consumption On and Off the Premises. FIRST USE: 19730800. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19730800.
IC 042. US 100. G & S Restaurant Services. FIRST USE: 19780206. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19780206.
IC 042. US 100. G & S PREPARING AND SERVING HAMBURGERS AS PART OF RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19750618. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19750618.
IC . US 100. G & S RESTAURANT SERVICES. FIRST USE: 19640200. FIRST USE IN COMMERCE: 19640200.