Boston-based Private equity firm Thomas H. Lee Partners' bid of nearly $920 million to buy CKE Restaurants Inc in Carpinteria finally got a nod from the target company on Friday.

The acquirer would pay CKE Restaurants $619 million in cash and it would assume a total debt of $309 million for full settlement. The deal, however, has created a little hush among market analysts who were expecting the target company to wait for at least one more upwardly revised offer from the PE firm.

CKE Restaurants Inc. will now be acquired by private equity investment firm Thomas H. Lee Partners. Both the companies announced today that they have entered into a definitive merger agreement under which Thomas H. Lee will acquire CKE for approximately $928 million, including the assumption of approximately $309 million of net debt. CKE is the owner of Carl's Jr. and Hardee's quick service restaurant chains, and Thomas H. Lee Partners is one of the oldest and most successful private equity investment firms in the United States.