<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>                               162,093
<CGS>                                          115,088
<TOTAL-COSTS>                                  150,590
<OTHER-EXPENSES>                                 (514)
<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>                                      .18
<EPS-DILUTED>                                      .17