---
title: Carl's Jr. and Hardee's Enter $4 Fast Food Meal Fray
description: The fast-food burger chains join competitors like Wendy's and Burger King who already offer $4 meal specials.
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published: '2016-01-21T20:38:30.000Z'
modified: '2024-05-16T10:50:43.000Z'
section: Business
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![A Carl's Junior restaurant is shown in Santa Clara, California, on October 26, 2015.](https://img.money.com/2016/01/160121_em_carlsjr.jpg)

Fast food chains, take note: Carl's Jr. and Hardee's have joined the frenzy to bring in customers with $4 meal deals.

The burger joints announced Thursday they will offer a special called the Real Deal, which includes a charbroiled Double Cheeseburger and a spicy chicken sandwich, served with fries and a drink.

Carl's Jr. and Hardee's—which are both owned by parent company CKE Restaurants—are the latest in a string of fast food eateries to join the meal deal fray. Wendy's launched its 4 for $4 deal in October, offering a junior bacon cheeseburger, chicken nuggets, fries and a drink. In response, [Burger King](https://money.com/cheap-fast-food-deals-burger-king-mcdonalds/) announced it would offer a five-item meal for $4, which includes a bacon cheeseburger, small french fries, small drink, 4-piece chicken nuggets and a chocolate chip cookie. McDonald's, Pizza Hut and Dairy Queen also have recently announced meal specials.

“The fast food industry hasn't seen this kind of a price war since the '90s, but other chains are now trying to fight the fight by promoting small amounts of food for a small amount of money," said Brad Haley, chief marketing officer for Carl’s Jr. and Hardee's. "But just because something’s cheap doesn't mean it's a great deal."

The deals mark a shift in the fast food industry from dollar-menu items, which helped drive foot traffic, but also caused chains like Wendy's and McDonald's to worry about losing revenue.

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