About Margaret Karcher
Lived 1915 – 2006 (aged 91). Margaret Karcher was an American entrepreneur.
Margaret Magdalen Heinz Karcher (March 2, 1915 – June 6, 2006) was an American fast-food pioneer who co-founded the Carl's Jr. hamburger chain with her husband Carl Karcher, which today is owned by parent company CKE Restaurants.
Karcher and her husband started their first business, a hot dog stand, on July 17, 1941, in Los Angeles, California, when they borrowed $311 against their Plymouth automobile and added $15 from Margaret's purse. The stand initially sold hot dogs and Mexican tamales. On January 16, 1945, they opened their first restaurant, Carl's Drive-In Barbecue in Anaheim, California. They also opened Carl's Jr.
Their restaurant quickly grew and they opened several more restaurants, numbering 100 by 1974 and more than 300 by 1981.
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Frequently asked questions
Who was Margaret Karcher?
American businessman (1915-2006)
When was Margaret Karcher born?
Margaret Karcher was born on 2 March 1915 in Big River.
When did Margaret Karcher die?
Margaret Karcher died on 6 June 2006 in Scottsdale.
What was Margaret Karcher's occupation?
Margaret Karcher was an entrepreneur.
What nationality was Margaret Karcher?
Margaret Karcher was American.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Margaret Karcher. https://biography.guide/margaret-karcher/
MLA: "Margaret Karcher." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/margaret-karcher/.
Chicago: "Margaret Karcher." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/margaret-karcher/.
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