Background
Born on a farm near Upper Sandusky, Ohio, Karcher was the son of Ohio natives Leo and Anna Maria (Kuntz) Karcher.
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Carl Karcher
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Career
Leo Karcher"s grandparents immigrated from Belgium. Anna Maria Kuntz was of German ancestry. The stand initially sold hot dogs and Mexican tamales.
On his 28th birthday, January 16, 1945, they opened their first restaurant, Carl"s Drive-In Barbecue, in Anaheim.
Their restaurant quickly expanded, with the restaurants numbering 100 by 1974 and over 300 by 1981. Karcher served for a time as Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the company until his own company removed him from the position for his desire to take the company private.
Karcher died on January 11, 2008, from complications of Parkinson"s Disease, only 5 days before his 91st birthday. Karcher was a lifelong supporter of Conservative causes.
In 1978, he contributed United States$1 million to California"s Proposition 6 initiative, also known as the Briggs Initiative.
He was the initiative"s biggest financial supporter.
Achievements
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Carl Karcher received numerous awards for his philanthropy, including, in 1979, the Horatio Alger Award "for his distinction in accomplishments through individual initiative, hard work and adherence to traditional ideals." On January 16, 2007, which was his 90th birthday, Karcher and his deceased wife Margaret were recognized with the placement of a star on the Anaheim/Orange County Walk of Stars.
Membership
Karcher was an early supporter of John Schmitz, a Republican and member of the John Birch Society, who represented Orange County in the California State Senate and later Congress.
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Born
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Died
January 11, 2008 (aged 90) -
Political Party
Republican party
Awards
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Horatio Alger Award; Character Award Carl Karcher received numerous awards for his philanthropy, including, in 1979, the Horatio Alger Award "for his distinction in accomplishments through individual initiative, hard work and adherence to traditional ideals." On January 16, 2007, which was his 90th birthday, Karcher and his deceased wife Margaret were recognized with the placement of a star on the Anaheim/Orange County Walk of Stars.Horatio Alger Award; Character Award Carl Karcher received numerous awards for his philanthropy, including, in 1979, the Horatio Alger Award "for his distinction in accomplishments through individual initiative, hard work and adherence to traditional ideals." On January 16, 2007, which was his 90th birthday, Karcher and his deceased wife Margaret were recognized with the placement of a star on the Anaheim/Orange County Walk of Stars.