CKE Restaurants, Inc. Announces Anticipated Closing Date of Merger with Affiliates of Apollo Management

CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) announced that it expects to close the merger providing for its acquisition by Columbia Lake Acquisition Holdings, Inc., an affiliate of Apollo Management VII, L.P., on or about July 12, 2010.

The consummation of the merger remains subject to the satisfaction or waiver of certain closing conditions set forth in the merger agreement and discussed in detail in the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission by CKE on June 3, 2010.