Howdy folks, and welcome back to HHR. Today, we’re taking a look at the final standing Carl’s Jr. location in our area, note “final standing”, not final operating, because this restaurant was short-lived. The restaurant located at 5410 Grand Pkwy, Richmond, TX 77407, only made it about a year and a half before shutting down. Those who remember Carl’s Jr. in Houston might recall that the chain started pretty on top of things. Good food, fast service, and down-to-earth pricing. This, however, would not last, and it seemed like, within a couple of years of opening, the first locations were already going downhill. Carl’s Jr has been in Texas since 1983, and was planning a grand expansion. While they had experimented with opening locations across San Antonio and Austin, most of these had ended up closed. Since the 80s, Carl’s Jr. has also merged with Hardee’s. These experiences put the new company’s focus straight onto Houston and DFW. With a willing franchisee (RWJP Star Enterprises), Carl’s Jr made plans to build hundreds of restaurants across East Texas starting in 2009. They began their initial push from DFW, Houston, and Beaumont with plans to “meet in the middle.” With a grand plan in mind, a willing partner, and what seemed like a receptive market, Carl’s Jr’s ambitious goals were beginning to become reality.
However, in late 2013, their plan would begin to unravel. In a mystery I still cannot solve, RWJP Star Enterprises went under that year. It’s unclear if they went financially bust or if it was strictly a business move, but the restaurants came under corporate control right around this time. Down, but not out, Carl’s Jr continued to build planned locations, all while juggling new franchisees into the mix. The stores were new, the market was receptive, and unfortunately, CJ’s judgment at this time may have been a bit clouded. As someone who enjoyed Carl’s Jr, I first noticed a change in the restaurants around this time. The quality didn’t immediately drop, but it became inconsistent. Also, wait times and prices began to rise. Other franchisees took over some stores, and some, like today’s location, permanently closed. Carl’s Jr’s prospects in Houston started to look quite grim around 2018 when a majority of stores closed. The final locations in the Houston area opened in 2019 but shut down before the end of the year. In the months before they closed, employees were seen picketing at various locations to protest what they felt were unfair conditions. As the locations closed, some sat vacant while others were immediately redeveloped. Taco Bueno, Dunkin/Baskin Robbins, and Slim Chicken’s have taken the lion’s share of locations, while some stores have tried out different concepts until they found one compatible. The location from today’s post, however, has not seen a tenant since 2015. Why this location sits empty is a mystery to me, but maybe one day we’ll see this building reused.
The former Carl’s in Clear Lake is now a Popeye’s – this is definitely a trade up.
I grew up in NC eating at Hardee’s; for some reason Carl’s just never measured up.
I always enjoyed Carl’s Jr when it was operating here. My local location here in Conroe was always fast, accurate, and friendly. The location is now a Taco Bueno, who is in their second attempt in Conroe after having closed their previous location a couple of years ago. I’m not a fan.
I went to the one at Hwy 6 at West Rd a few years back. The quality was ‘meh’ and the service was apathetic at best. The atmosphere could best be described as a hospice room. That location is now a Charlie’s Cheesesteaks and better off for it.
I visited the Highway 6 & West location a few times over the years. It was a busy place when it first opened around 2011 or so. The place was packed like an In-n-Out. As time went on, it certainly became less packed. I never found Carl’s Jr. to be especially deficient, but it seemed similar to Burger King but with smaller portion sizes for the same price. With that in mind, and with there being a number of other Burger Kings along that stretch of Highway 6/FM 1960 W, it isn’t a surprise that it closed.
One nice thing Carl’s Jr. had around here is that they had Cherry Coke available on their fountains. I have not seen that at the other major fast food burger places.
as for 2013
Carl’s was a huge success in California for many years in the 1960’s – 1990’s. But just like the Sizzler chain, huge disappointment when Carl’s could not make a go of it after opening in Houston with long lines and eager customer anticipation. Management is likely to blame in both instances. The first Carl’s and probably the last were in the Dallas area. Long way to go for a Carl’s Super Star burger with cheese, not tomato or onions.
I grew up going to Carl’s Jr. (really Hardee’s) in SC and I miss it! There is, however, still one in the Houston area!! It’s in Angleton attached to a Love’s. I believe the sign for one is still standing off of 290 and 610 area or was recently taken down finally? I think the restaurant was torn down for sure. Here’s the address for the Angleton one:
2301 FM-523
Angleton, TX 77515
United States