<ARTICLE> 5
<LEGEND>
THIS SCHEDULE CONTAINS SUMMARY FINANCIAL INFORMATION EXTRACTED FROM CKE
RESTAURANTS, INC. CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS AND CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF
INCOME AS OF AND FOR THE TWELVE WEEKS ENDED NOVEMBER 4, 1996. AND IS QUALIFIED
IN ITS ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-Q FOR THE QUARTERLY PERIOD ENDED
NOVEMBER 4, 1996.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   3-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-27-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-30-1996
<PERIOD-END>                               NOV-04-1996
<CASH>                                          15,614
<SECURITIES>                                     2,512
<RECEIVABLES>                                   15,434
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                      8,996
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                53,203
<PP&E>                                         465,846
<DEPRECIATION>                                 250,444
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 363,687
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          100,872
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           193
<OTHER-SE>                                     129,239
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   363,687
<SALES>                                        143,456
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                               162,291
<CGS>                                          116,439
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  151,573
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                (1,299)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                               2,759
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                  9,258
<INCOME-TAX>                                     3,670
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                              5,588
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                     5,588
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                      .28
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .28