Hardee’s is an American fast-food restaurant chain founded by Wilber Hardee in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, in 1960. The chain operates primarily in the Southern and Midwestern United States and is known for its charbroiled burgers, breakfast biscuits, and thick milkshakes. Since 1997, Hardee’s has been owned by CKE Restaurants Holdings, Inc., which also owns Carl’s Jr. The restaurant chain has undergone several significant transformations throughout its history. In the 1980s, Hardee’s acquired other regional chains like Sandy’s and Burger Chef, expanding its footprint across the United States. In the early 2000s, Hardee’s repositioned itself to focus on premium, higher-quality menu items, introducing the Thickburger line and targeting a young male demographic. Hardee’s operates through a franchise model, with both company-owned and franchised locations. The brand shares many menu items and marketing strategies with Carl’s Jr., particularly in regions where the two chains’ territories overlap. As of 2023, Hardee’s operates over 1,800 locations across the United States and internationally through franchising agreements. The chain maintains its distinctive star logo and red-and-white color scheme, though its brand identity has evolved to align more closely with Carl’s Jr. in recent years.