CKE Restaurants says buyout to close Monday

Carpinteria, Calif. CKE Restaurants, which runs the Carl's Jr. and Hardee's chains, said its acquisition by a private equity firm will be completed Monday.

The company agreed to a $694 million offer in May from Columbia Lake Acquisition Holdings, an affiliate of Apollo Management VII LP.

That amounts to $12.55 per share. On Wednesday company shares were flat at $12.53.

The fast-food industry and CKE have had a difficult time pulling in consumers during the recession, with so many people eating at home or out of work.

CKE Restaurants operates and franchises 3,141 restaurants in 42 states.