“IT'S CALLED GOSSIP AND OF COURSE IT'S AN OBSESSION OF MINE -ANDY WARHOL

Andy Puzder isn't afraid of fat. The president-CEO of Hardee's and Carl's Jr. has made a name for his chains -- and boosted same-store sales -- by bragging about the caloric and fat content of products such as the Monster Thickburger and unabashedly championing meat. Sexy ads haven't hurt, either. Mr. Puzder credits the infamous Paris Hilton car-washing commercial with much of Carl's Jr.'s brand awareness outside of the Western U.S. Last year, a TV spot featuring a comely schoolmarm raised the hackles of a teachers union, and Carl's Jr. pulled the spot. Mr. Puzder, an attorney, said it would have been better to use a librarian.

-AdAge
July 25 2008