<P> Carl Karcher ( 1917 -- 2008 ) and his wife Margaret ( 1915 -- 2006 ) founded the predecessor of Carl 's Jr. in 1941 , starting as a hot - dog cart in Los Angeles . In 1945 , the Karchers moved to Anaheim , California , and opened their first full - service restaurant , Carl 's Drive - In Barbecue . As the restaurant became successful , Carl expanded his business by opening the first two Carl 's Jr. restaurants in Anaheim and nearby Brea in 1956 . They were so named because they were smaller versions of Carl 's original drive - in restaurant . That same year , the chain was officially renamed Carl 's Jr. and the fast - food chain took off . </P>
<P> Carl Karcher ( 1917 -- 2008 ) and his wife Margaret ( 1915 -- 2006 ) founded the predecessor of Carl 's Jr. in 1941 , starting as a hot - dog cart in Los Angeles . In 1945 , the Karchers moved to Anaheim , California , and opened their first full - service restaurant , Carl 's Drive - In Barbecue . As the restaurant became successful , Carl expanded his business by opening the first two Carl 's Jr. restaurants in Anaheim and nearby Brea in 1956 . They were so named because they were smaller versions of Carl 's original drive - in restaurant . That same year , the chain was officially renamed Carl 's Jr. and the fast - food chain took off . </P>
when was the first carl 's jr opened
when was the first carl 's jr opened
1956
1956