CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin and Andy Puzder.
This morning I spoke with Joe Kernen on CNBC’s Squawk Box who seemed just as puzzled as I am about why the Administration doesn’t understand that government policies don’t create jobs. Businesses create jobs. We also discussed how most people use minimum wage jobs as a stepping stone for the next opportunity. Many may be surprised to know that the vast majority (approximately 95 percent) of our Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurant employees older than 22 (out of high school and college) earn more than the federal minimum wage. Even fewer people consider that besides wages, many companies provide benefits that add to an employee’s earnings. For example, at company-operated Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants, we provide up to $10,000 toward college expenses to crew members who have worked for us for at least one year and maintain a “C” average. That can be a substantial addition to their earnings. We do this because we know the value of engaged, striving, ambitious employees. Their success is our success.
And, speaking of success, CNBC’s Andrew Ross Sorkin also asked me how Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s differentiates itself from the competition in a crowded marketplace. It’s simple. We stay laser focused on offering premium, restaurant-quality food, with fast food convenience, at a fast food price for our target audience of young, hungry guys and those who aspire to be young.
We are always striving to sell burgers, grow our business and provide jobs. While government certainly has a role to play, at the moment, it just needs to stay out of the way.