Fast food is now in the government regulation headlights and they are going to follow manufacturing off shore.
Fast food CEO: How govt regulation is driving us aboard
"It's difficult to open in the U.S., but we love the U.S. and continue to fight the good fight to open restaurants and create jobs," Puzder said. "It's just that the government is making it hard for us to build those restaurants."
Over the last three years, Hardee's and Carl's Jr. opened more restaurants internationally than in their own backyardsa first, he added. CKE now operates restaurants in 30 foreign countries.
(Read more: McDonald's removes worker site after fast food flap)
On a percentage basis, the growth rate is striking. During this period, the company increased its restaurant count domestically by 2 percent. Meanwhile international locations jumped by 53 percent as CKE filled in "white space" or areas where it currently doesn't have restaurants.
Easier to open in Siberia than California
"Under the current U.S. business climate, regulatory and tax restrictions tend to curb otherwise dynamic entrepreneurial energy," Puzder said. "We'd love to see more growth in domestic markets. Unfortunately, it's easier for our franchisees to open a restaurant in Siberia than in California."
Fast food CEO: How govt regulation is driving us aboard
"It's difficult to open in the U.S., but we love the U.S. and continue to fight the good fight to open restaurants and create jobs," Puzder said. "It's just that the government is making it hard for us to build those restaurants."
Over the last three years, Hardee's and Carl's Jr. opened more restaurants internationally than in their own backyardsa first, he added. CKE now operates restaurants in 30 foreign countries.
(Read more: McDonald's removes worker site after fast food flap)
On a percentage basis, the growth rate is striking. During this period, the company increased its restaurant count domestically by 2 percent. Meanwhile international locations jumped by 53 percent as CKE filled in "white space" or areas where it currently doesn't have restaurants.
Easier to open in Siberia than California
"Under the current U.S. business climate, regulatory and tax restrictions tend to curb otherwise dynamic entrepreneurial energy," Puzder said. "We'd love to see more growth in domestic markets. Unfortunately, it's easier for our franchisees to open a restaurant in Siberia than in California."