Are you a fan of Hardee’s food? Then we’ve got bad news for you! The popular fast-food chain could be closing dozens of its restaurants across the United States. Here’s why it might happen and where the affected locations are—so you can check if one near you is on the list.
Why is Hardee’s closing restaurants?
The closures stem from a legal dispute. Paradigm Investment Group has filed a lawsuit against Hardee’s, accusing the company of using aggressive tactics to break franchise agreements and take over profitable locations.
The conflict arose when Hardee’s demanded that a New York franchisee keep its restaurants open past 2 p.m.—a move Paradigm claims is unsustainable. The group says it has invested over $173 million in its restaurants and paid more than $87 million in royalties, yet now faces being pushed out for refusing to adopt digital tools like online ordering, third-party delivery, and loyalty programs. Many of their restaurants close early, which Hardee’s considers a violation of the franchise agreement and grounds for termination.
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How many Hardee’s restaurants could close?
The dispute could lead to the closure of 76 restaurants located in:
- Alabama
- Mississippi
- Tennessee
- Florida
A brief history of Hardee’s
Hardee’s began its journey in 1960, when founder Wilbur Hardee opened the first restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina. Thanks to a varied and appealing menu—highlighted by its signature “Huskee” burger—the chain experienced rapid growth through franchising and, to a lesser extent, through acquiring other restaurant brands. The first franchised store opened in May 1961 in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, founded by Jim Leonard Gardner and Rawls. Rocky Mount remained the company’s headquarters until 2001.
In the 1960s, original Hardee’s locations stood out for their distinctive architecture, often built in a hexagonal shape with pointed roofs. Reflecting this theme, some burgers—especially quarter-pounders—were also served in a hexagonal shape. By 1965, franchisees could choose from several types of outdoor signs, including the well-known “Home of the Huskee” slogan. Others promoted “Jet Service” and “Charcoal Broiled” burgers.
By the 1970s, the menu featured standout items like the Big Twin—a double patty burger with a unique sauce—and the Big Deluxe, a quarter-pound burger with tangy mayonnaise. In 1972, Hardee’s acquired Sandy’s, a smaller chain, but continued to focus on franchise expansion and menu appeal. During this time, the burgers were cooked on special grills that allowed fat to drip and ignite, giving the meat a flame-grilled taste. This method was discontinued in the ’80s and ’90s but returned in 2001 with the introduction of Thickburgers.
Advertising played a major role in the chain’s rise. In the 1970s, animated characters like “Giddyup Gilbert” and his nemesis “Speedy McGreedy” featured in commercials. Even singer Mama Cass Elliot recorded radio jingles before her death, urging people to try Hardee’s flame-grilled burgers.
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The 1980s brought challenges. A new management team, aiming to cut costs, changed the burger recipe, leading to a noticeable drop in quality and, eventually, in sales. The Big Twin and Big Deluxe were removed from the menu. Though Hardee’s had over 4,000 locations by 1992, its reputation suffered, and closures followed.
In the early 1990s, the chain tried to diversify by offering fried chicken using a recipe from Roy Rogers, claiming in ads that it beat KFC in taste tests. KFC quickly responded with counter-campaigns, and the chicken was later phased out in many locations. Still, some franchisees continue to serve it, with promotions including Texas Pete hot sauce available as late as 2006.
In 1997, Hardee’s was acquired by CKE Restaurants, parent company of Carl’s Jr. While the chain once operated over 4,000 locations, its U.S. presence has since shrunk to fewer than 2,000 outlets.
