CKE Restaurants has announced a return to profit for the first time since fiscal 1999.

In the year ended 31 January 2005 the company made a net income of $18.0m compared with the previous year’s loss of $53.2m. Total revenue was $1.52bn compared with $1.41bn in the previous year.

Same-store sales increased 7.7% and 7.0% at company-operated Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s restaurants, respectively.

“We are very pleased with our 2005 results, said president and CEO Andrew F. Puzder. “Both Carl’s Jr. and Hardee’s finished the year with very strong same-store sales and margin performance, which contributed to our first profitable fiscal year and fourth quarter in six years.”