National Carl Day and a Different Carl

Today is National Carl Day.

Not Carl’s Jr. Day. Not National Cheeseburger Day. Not National Fast Food Day.

Just National Carl Day.

Naturally, that immediately raised an important question.

If there’s a National Carl Day, does Carl’s Jr. get to celebrate too?

I have no idea whether the people behind National Carl Day intended any connection whatsoever to the fast-food chain. My guess is they probably didn’t. But once the thought crossed my mind, there was really only one direction this was going to go.

So today’s photograph features a trio of Carl’s Jr. burgers from my FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND series.

Carl’s Jr. has always occupied an interesting place in fast-food history. The chain built a reputation around large burgers, unapologetic indulgence, and advertising campaigns that often generated as much discussion as the food itself. Beginning in 2005, a series of very sexy commercials featuring celebrities such as Paris Hilton helped make Carl’s Jr. one of the most talked-about names in fast food.

What makes today’s National Carl Day connection even more amusing for me is that years ago I actually had dinner with Carl, yes, that Carl, and his wife as guests in their home in Anaheim, California. He was a very interesting man, and both Carl and his wife were genuinely warm and welcoming people. At the time I certainly wasn’t thinking that someday there would be a National Carl Day, or that I would be photographing Carl’s Jr. burgers for a food photography project.

The burgers themselves were never subtle. Bigger portions, bigger flavors, and plenty of melted cheese were usually part of the formula. Looking at this photograph, it’s easy to see why Carl’s Jr. developed a reputation for building burgers that demanded attention.

So while National Carl Day almost certainly has nothing to do with Carl’s Jr., it seemed like a good excuse to revisit a brand that has been part of the American fast-food landscape for generations.

Then again, if your name is Carl, perhaps today belongs to you.

And if your name happens to be Carl’s Jr., maybe it does too.

You can see more from my FOOD FROM BAG TO BACKGROUND series, along with aviation photography, collections, and other projects at https://www.secondfocus.com Chances are you’ll find something unexpected waiting there.