Franchise of The Day: This Savory Restaurant's Best Known for Its Midwestern Comfort FoodIts options range from biscuits, burgers and chicken.
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Founded in 1960, Hardee's was opened by Wilber Hardee in Greenville, N.C. In just five months, he had his first franchisee.
The company was acquired by another entity -- California-based CKE Restaurants Inc., franchisor of Carl's Jr. Restaurants -- in 1997.
The fast-acting business man, along with his roots and acquisition played a big part in why Hardee's is ranked asNo. 12 in Entrepreneur's Franchise 500 list.
