Carl’s Jr. Customers Should Relish This

ANAHEIM — Hot dogs gave Carl Karcher his start in business half a century ago. And on the 50th anniversary of the founding of his fast-food empire, Karcher plans to say thanks to his customers--with free hot dogs.

Carl Karcher Enterprises, the Anaheim-based parent firm of the Carl’s Jr. hamburger chain, has purchased advertisements in four California newspapers that will include free coupons for hot dogs, which usually sell for $1.89. The coupons will be good through the end of the year, a company spokeswoman said Monday.

The ads will appear in Wednesday’s editions of the Los Angeles Times, Orange County Register, Fresno Bee and Sacramento Bee. Carl’s Jr.’s giveaway could get a bit expensive for the corporation. But spokeswoman Patty Parks said the company is “not expecting all those (coupons) to come in.”

Karcher sold his first hot dog from a stand at Florence and Central avenues in Los Angeles. The first customer, the advertisement notes, was a man who ordered a hot dog with mustard and relish, hold the onions.

The coupon giveaway “is a cute way to thank people,” Parks said.