CPP Enterprises to Replace Carl's Jr. with Original Burger Concept

New in-house burger restaurant to open on campus in fall 2026 after student feedback

Mar. 24, 2026 at 7:40am

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Cal Poly Pomona Enterprises will replace the on-campus Carl's Jr. with a new, original burger concept for fall 2026. The decision comes after a 2024 student survey that received about 2,000 responses, with many students commenting they wanted good food at an affordable price and quick service. The new in-house burger restaurant will focus on faster service and keeping prices low, with the goal of offering a burger, fries, and drink for $10 or less.

Why it matters

This change highlights CPP Enterprises' commitment to responding to student needs and preferences, moving away from a national fast-food chain in favor of an original concept developed based on direct student feedback. It also reflects a broader trend of colleges and universities seeking to provide more affordable, high-quality dining options that cater to the specific tastes and budgets of their student populations.

The details

To make way for the new restaurant, which will offer burgers, chicken tenders and other dietary food options, the Carl's Jr. location will officially close at the end of the 2026 spring semester. Enterprises has been monitoring the CPP subreddit for the last two years, quietly addressing rising food costs and less-than fortunate customer experiences. By keeping dining options in-house, production costs and menu prices can stay low.

  • The Carl's Jr. location will officially close at the end of the 2026 spring semester.
  • The new original burger concept is set to open in fall 2026.

The players

CPP Enterprises

The organization that manages dining and other services on the Cal Poly Pomona campus.

Thomas Sekayan

The interim CEO of CPP Enterprises.

David Corral

The Dining Director for CPP Enterprises.

Diego Reyes

A criminology student at Cal Poly Pomona.

Elsa Zheng

A computer science student at Cal Poly Pomona.

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What they’re saying

“We felt that with Carl's Jr., it was time to retire that brand and refresh it. We are in the business to serve, and if we are not hearing and addressing student needs, then we are not serving and failing our mission as an organization.”

— Thomas Sekayan, Interim CEO, CPP Enterprises

“Just simplifying the menu and concentrating on the burger or the tender will speed up the service.”

— David Corral, Dining Director, CPP Enterprises

“Affordability would also be a big thing to consider because there's a lot of places that will charge like $20 or $25 for an overpriced burger.”

— Diego Reyes, Criminology Student

“I'm not that picky. I just want cheeseburgers that are quick and edible, and somewhere on the levels of Carl's Jr. and McDonald's.”

— Elsa Zheng, Computer Science Student

What’s next

CPP Enterprises will host a sampling session of the new burgers later this semester to gather more student feedback before finalizing the menu and opening the new restaurant in fall 2026.

The takeaway

This change reflects CPP Enterprises' commitment to responding to direct student input and providing affordable, high-quality dining options that cater to the specific needs and preferences of the campus community, moving away from a national fast-food chain in favor of an original concept developed with students in mind.