AS IF AMERICANS WERE NOT FAT ENOUGH

This from CNN.com
November 15, 2004: 6:42 PM EST

Hardee’s unveils new ‘Monster’
Fast-food chain’s new burger — with 1,400 calories and 107 grams of fat — will cost you $5.49.

NEW YORK (CNN/Money) – Fans of Hardee’s new “Monster Thickburger” may end up making “Big Mac” lovers look like waif-like supermodels. Hardee’s rolls out its new “Monster Thickburger,” which contains two 1/3-pound slabs of Angus beef, four strips of bacon, three slices of cheese and mayonnaise on a buttered sesame seed bun. As many fast-food restaurants cut back the fat and calories in their offerings, Hardee’s Food Systems Inc. is betting that Americans are ready to sink their teeth into its new and improved “Monster” burger.

St. Louis-based Hardee’s said its new burger boasts two 1/3-pound slabs of Angus beef, four strips of bacon, three slices of American cheese and some mayonnaise — all on a buttered, toasted, sesame seed bun.

The “Monster Thickburger” will cost about $5.49, Hardee’s said. But chowing down on the 1,420-calorie burger, which contains 107 grams of fat, will cost around $7 with fries and a soda. “The (original) ‘Monster Burger’ was one of our most popular menu items,” Brad Haley, executive vice president of marketing for Hardee’s, said in a statement. “(But) it’s now a ‘Thickburger.'”

Many fast-food chains, including McDonald’s (Research) and Wendy’s International (Research), have tried to offer healthier menu items to cater to Americans on low-fat, low-carb diets. But Hardee’s said the “Monster Thickburger” is not all it has to offer on its menu.

“In about 30 days, we will be introducing a BBQ chicken sandwich that would only have 4 grams of fat and 300 calories. We just have a wide range of selections for everybody,” Haley said.