Fast Food Chain Carl's Jr. To Debut In New York City Next Year

MIDTOWN MANHATTAN, NY — Carl's Jr., a chain probably best known for its objectifying and sexually suggestive advertisements, will become the latest fast food giant to set up shop in New York City. The company announced Thursday that it will open its first New York City location in Midtown Manhattan early next year.

The Midtown Carl's Jr. will be located just a block away from Penn Station on the corner of Seventh Avenue and West 33rd Street, according to a press release. With two floors of dining space, the chain hopes to become "the shining star for quick service food in the city and a refuge for New Yorker City commuters."

The menu will feature new additions such as a $5 meal option as well as the chain's staples including "thickburgers," chicken tenders and shakes, according to a press release.

New Yorkers may recognize Carl's Jr. for its ads featuring bikini models brandishing comically large sandwiches or its former chief executive Andrew Puzder. Puzder was nominated by Donald Trump to serve as the United States Secretary of Labor, but eventually withdrew from consideration after losing the support of many Republican Senators, the New York Times reported.

But the company is now in the midst of a rebranding. It's ditched the bikinis and tanning oil in an effort to bring focus back on the food. Whether that helps the chain succeed in New York City remains to be seen.

"We’re excited to open the first Carl’s Jr. in Manhattan in early 2018," chief marketing officer Jeff Jenkins said in a statement. "We know New Yorkers are a tough burger crowd, but we’re confident that the Happy Star will outshine the competition. We're looking forward to becoming a proud member of the NYC community, so keep your eyes open in the new year — we’re coming in hot."

Rendering courtesy Carl's Jr.