<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 YEAR ENDED JANUARY 26, 1998 AND IS QUALIFIED IN ITS
ENTIRETY BY REFERENCE TO SUCH FORM 10-K FOR THE YEAR ENDED JANUARY 26, 1998.
</LEGEND>
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
                             
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   YEAR
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          JAN-26-1998
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-28-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               JAN-26-1998
<CASH>                                          30,382
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                   47,276
<ALLOWANCES>                                         0
<INVENTORY>                                     17,024
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                                92,156
<PP&E>                                         797,222
<DEPRECIATION>                                 170,196
<TOTAL-ASSETS>                                 957,368
<CURRENT-LIABILITIES>                          176,484
<BONDS>                                              0
<PREFERRED-MANDATORY>                                0
<PREFERRED>                                          0
<COMMON>                                           465
<OTHER-SE>                                     498,047
<TOTAL-LIABILITY-AND-EQUITY>                   957,368
<SALES>                                      1,022,453
<TOTAL-REVENUES>                             1,149,659
<CGS>                                          832,460
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                1,063,468
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                               (7,363)
<LOSS-PROVISION>                                     0
<INTEREST-EXPENSE>                              16,914
<INCOME-PRETAX>                                 76,640
<INCOME-TAX>                                    29,883
<INCOME-CONTINUING>                             46,757
<DISCONTINUED>                                       0
<EXTRAORDINARY>                                      0
<CHANGES>                                            0
<NET-INCOME>                                    46,757
<EPS-PRIMARY>                                     1.10
<EPS-DILUTED>                                     1.07