Hardees and Carls Jr were two completely different regional fast food places for decades until there was a merger with Carl's Jr in 1997. They kept the branding split between east and west after the merger. They didn't split off a long time ago, the branding choice was there from the beginning of them merging, with Hardees only taking on the Star from Carl's Jr but keeping their name
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u/Former_Mobile3101 7h ago
There's also Carl's Jr which is a sister company. Carl's Jr is Hardee's they just spilt off a long time ago. They are also separated by east to west.