Hardee's Celebrates 41 Years of Service

Hardee's Food Systems, Inc. will observe May 3 as Founder's Day, to honor Wilbur Hardee's opening of the first Hardee's Restaurant in Greenville, N.C. and the 41-year anniversary of the quick-service restaurant chain.

To celebrate Founder's Day, Hardee's corporate officers will trade their business suits and brief cases for aprons and spatulas to serve guests alongside restaurant crew members. In addition, Hardee's will mark its 41st anniversary by offering the Big Burger at a discounted price of 41 cents from 4pm until 8pm at participating restaurants on May 3.

"Founder's Day celebrates Hardee's commitment to serving its customers with great food for over 40 years," said Andy Puzder, president and CEO of CKE Restaurants, the parent company of Hardee's. "This will provide an excellent opportunity for corporate personnel to participate in the day-to-day operations of our restaurant business."

In May of 1961, Leonard Rawls Jr. and Jim Gardner opened the first company-owned, red-and-white tiled Hardee's in Rocky Mount, N.C. The original menu featured charco-broiled hamburgers (15 cents), cheeseburgers (20 cents), soft drinks (10 cents), and coffee (10 cents). All were served with Hardee's "Jet Service," part of the original ad campaign.

Hardee's Food Systems, Inc., headquartered in St. Louis, is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. of Santa Barbara, Calif. CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR), through its subsidiaries, franchisees and licensees, operates more than 3,400 restaurants, including 2,358 Hardee's restaurants; 971 Carl's Jr. restaurants; 95 La Salsa Fresh Mexican Grills; 34 Green Burrito restaurants; and 27 Timber Lodge Steakhouses, in 44 states and 15 foreign countries.