Carl’s Jr. opens in Sahuarita

If you’ve been hankering for a Famous Star hamburger, you’re in luck.

Carl’s Jr. Restaurant opened last week in Sahuarita, at 18700 S. Nogales Highway in the Madera Marketplace, and was welcomed by the Green Valley-Sahuarita Chamber of Commerce at a ribbon-cutting ceremony, Friday.

The fast food-chain has proved to be a success at its Tucson, Nogales and Sierra Vista locations, said Jason LeVecke, CEO of the company’s Arizona franchise and the grandson of founder Carl Karcher.

“This is a great area, and we’re just happy to be a part of this growing community,” he said.

Sahuarita is home to several fast-food restaurants, including the newly opened Arby’s, though Popeye’s Chicken, located just up the street from the new restaurant, closed earlier this year and remains vacant.

Carl’s Jr. offers more than 18 types of hamburgers, according to its Web site, including the Low Carb Six Dollar Burger, the Jalapeno Burger, and the new Chili-Cheese Burger. It also offers a breakfast, salad and desert menu.

Karcher, who passed away in January at the age of 90, got his start in 1941 in Los Angeles “with a tamale and hot dog stand,” said LeVecke.

“Now we’re the sixth largest burger chain in America; we’re very proud of that fact,” he said.

Carl’s Jr. is open 6 a.m. to midnight, Monday through Friday. Contact: (520)-648-5500.

jrichardson@gvnews.com | 547-9726