EXHIBIT 31.1

CERTIFICATION

I, Andrew F. Puzder, certify that:

1. I have reviewed this Amendment No. 1 to the Annual Report on Form 10-K of CKE Restaurants, Inc.; and

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report.

/s/ ANDREW F. PUZDER

Andrew F. Puzder

Chief Executive Officer

(Principal Executive Officer)

Date: May 4, 2012