CKE Restaurants Inc. announced the appointment of Daniel E. Ponder Jr., of Donalsonville, Jerold H. Rubinstein and C. Thomas Thompson to its board of directors on Aug. 16.

Ponder served as a director of CKE from 2001 until his resignation earlier this year pursuant to the terms of CKE’s recently completed merger with affiliates of Apollo Management VII, L.P. (“Apollo”). He currently is the president and chairman of the board of Ponder Enterprises Inc., a franchisee of Hardee’s restaurants since 1984. He has been a member of the board of directors of the Independent Hardee’s Franchise Association since its inception in 1997.

Ponder was formerly a member of the Georgia State House of Representatives and a 2003 recipient of the John F. Kennedy Profiles in Courage Award.

“Mr. Ponder brings to the board considerable experience in the quick-service restaurant industry, both as a significant and well respected franchisee for over 25 years and as a director of CKE for over nine years,” said Peter Copses, CKE’s chairman of the board. “As a franchisee, Mr. Ponder brings specialized knowledge and a unique perspective with respect to franchisee relations, operations, marketing, product development, business strategies and franchising of the Hardee’s brand.”

Commenting on the appointments, CKE CEO Andrew F. Puzder said: “I have known and worked with Dan, Jerry and Tom for many years and they are excellent additions to our board. Their knowledge, experience and perspectives on our business will be extremely valuable for both our board and our management team. In particular, we strive to be a franchise-friendly company. The addition of Dan and Tom to our board is a testament to our continuing commitment to work with, support and grow our franchise community.”

Ponder Enterprises Inc. opened their first restaurant in Donalsonville 26 years ago. Owned by brothers, Dan and Ernest Ponder, the company employs almost 900 people in 24 restaurant locations in Georgia, Florida and Alabama.

In 2009, the company was honored with two top awards from CKE Restaurants Inc., parent company to both Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.

The Founders Award was given to Ponder Enterprises for best exemplifying the entrepreneurial spirit, vision, dedication, leadership, teamwork, community involvement and ideals set by Hardee’s founder, Wilber Hardee.

The second award was the CKE Restaurants Star of Excellence Award for showing an extreme dedication to the brand and a continued commitment to excellence. All brands of CKE restaurants, including Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr., both domestic and international were eligible for this award, encompassing more than 3,000 restaurants.