Carl's Jr. to open first North Jersey location

Carl's Jr. popular piled-high burgers and shakes are coming to North Bergen in April, when the first North Jersey franchise of this primarily Southwestern and Western company is slated to open on Tonnelle Avenue.

Currently, the only Carl's Jr. franchise in the Garden State is in Somerset (659 Somerset St.). Andy Patel, general manager of the Somerset location, says that 18 more locations are being planned for New Jersey.

"We're building in North Bergen from the ground up," he said. Why North Bergen? "It's a random location," he said. "We want to bring the West Coast concept to the East Coast."

Carl's Jr., which offers made-from-scratch biscuits, thick charbroiled burgers and fries, in 2014 was the first major fast-food chain to offer an all-natural beef patty. The North Bergen franchise is scheduled to open on April 6, Patel said, in the same complex that houses Target at 7101 Tonnelle Avenue.

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