8-K

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 8-K

CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported)                                                                   January 8, 2009

CKE RESTAURANTS, INC.

__________________________________________

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware	1-11313	33-0602639
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation)	(Commission File Number)	(IRS Employer Identification No.)

6307 Carpinteria Ave., Ste. A, Carpinteria, California	93013
(Address of principal executive offices)	(Zip Code)

Registrant’s telephone number, including area code:                          (805) 745-7500

Not Applicable

_____________________________________________

Former name or former address, if changed since last report

Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

[  ] Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)

[  ] Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))

[  ] Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

Item 5.02  Departure of Directors or Certain Officers; Election of Directors; Appointment of Certain Officers; Compensatory Arrangements of Certain Officers.

(c)

On January 8, 2009, CKE Restaurants, Inc. (the "Company") announced that E. Michael Murphy, the Company’s current Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, has been promoted to President and Chief Legal Officer, effective January 27, 2009.  Andrew F. Puzder shall remain the Chief Executive Officer.  

Mr. Murphy joined the Company in 1998 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.  In 2000, he was named as the Company's Corporate Counsel and Executive Vice President of Franchising and in 2006, he was appointed as the Company's Chief Administrative Officer. He received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and a law degree from Saint Louis University.

As part of Mr. Murphy's promotion, the Company will be amending his current employment agreement effective as of January 27, 2009 to include a $75,000 increase to his base salary and a 10% increase to the maximum annual bonus attainable by him, depending on the Company's performance.  The full text of the amendment to his employement agreement will be filed as an exhibit to the Company’s next periodic report.

Mr. Murphy is not a party to any transaction requiring disclosure under Item 404(a) of Regulation S-K.

A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 to this Current Report on Form 8-K.

Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

(d)

Exhibits

 99.1 Press release, dated January 8, 2009, issued by CKE Restaurants, Inc.

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.

	CKE Restaurants, Inc.
January 8, 2009	By:	/s/ Theodore Abajian
		Name: Theodore Abajian
		Title: Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer

Exhibit No.	Description
99.1	Press release, dated January 8, 2009, issued by CKE Restaurants, Inc.

EX-99.1

EXHIBIT 99.1

Contact:                 John Beisler

Vice President – Investor Relations

CKE Restaurants, Inc.

805-745-7750

CKE RESTAURANTS, INC. ANNOUNCES EXECUTIVE PROMOTIONS

CARPINTERIA, Calif. – Jan. 8, 2009 – CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) announced today that E. Michael Murphy, the Company’s current Chief Administrative Officer and General Counsel, has been promoted to President and Chief Legal Officer, effective January 27, 2009.  Andrew F. Puzder shall remain the Chief Executive Officer.

“Over the past ten years, our Board has watched Mr. Murphy assume increasing responsibility as our Company stabilized financially and then began to grow,” stated Byron Allumbaugh, the Chairman of the Board of Directors.  “He has earned this position, and is a very strong and capable second in command behind Mr. Puzder.”

“Mike has the respect and confidence of our Board, our management team, employees and the franchise communities for both of our brands” stated Mr. Puzder.  “Mike and I have worked together for over 30 years starting out as law clerks in St. Louis in 1976.  One of the first things I did when I became CEO of this Company was to promote Mike to a position of expanded responsibility.  He has been my right hand man for the past eight years and I couldn’t be more pleased with his promotion to President.  As we expand both domestically and internationally, his contribution will be essential to our success.”

Mr. Murphy joined the Company in 1998 as Senior Vice President and General Counsel for Hardee’s Food Systems, Inc.  In 2000, he was named as the Company's Corporate Counsel and Executive Vice President of Franchising and in 2006, he was appointed as the Company's Chief Administrative Officer. Mr. Murphy received his bachelor’s degree from the University of Missouri and a law degree from Saint Louis University.

The Company also announced that Frank P. Willey has been named Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors, effective Dec. 10, 2008. Mr. Willey has served as a member of the Board of Directors since 1994.

“Mr. Willey’s long tenure on this Board as well as his financial and business experience made him the ideal person to fill the Vice-Chairman role,” said Mr. Allumbaugh.  “He has indicated a desire to become more involved in Board matters and we welcome his expanded involvement.”

As of the end of its fiscal 2009 third quarter, CKE Restaurants, Inc., through its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,110 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and in 14 countries, including 1,185 Carl's Jr. restaurants and 1,912 Hardee’s restaurants.