You might enjoy a stop at Hardee’s for lunch or dinner, but that could become more difficult with some locations closing.
The restaurant chain shut down almost 40 locations in 2023 when one of its major franchisees filed for bankruptcy. Closures this year haven’t been as dramatic, but there are still several locations that have shuttered their doors so far.
You may be able to save money on dining out if your local Hardee’s shuts down, but it can still be a disappointment if your favorite spot is on this list.
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1. Illinois
Illinois took a big hit, with locations closing across the state in 2024.
At the beginning of the year, locations in southern Illinois, Carterville, and Du Quoin were shut down, while five stores in central Illinois were also closed. Hardee’s closures affected residents in the central Illinois cities of Champaign, Chatham, Monticello, Springfield, and Virden.
Most of those cities lost their only Hardee’s location, but Springfield residents can still visit four locations in their city to get their fill of Hardee’s favorites.
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2. Missouri
Joplin, Missouri, took a hit with five Hardee’s locations in the area closing in 2023 and 2024.
However, there’s some hope for residents who miss having a restaurant nearby. Several Hardee’s locations that closed last year are expected to reopen at some point at Beef-a-Roo restaurants.
Beef-a-Roo, which is headquartered in nearby Illinois, is known for roast beef sandwiches and cheese fries among its menu options.
3. Tennessee
Hardee’s shut down its Spring Hill location in January, with workers offered positions at other locations in the area.
The closing in Spring Hill hit close to home.CKE Restaurant Holdings, the owner of Hardee’s, is headquartered in nearby Franklin, Tennessee.
CKE Restaurant Holdings has more than 3,600 Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. locations under its umbrella, either as locations it owns or as locations operated by franchisees.
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Store closures in 2023
This year's store closings aren’t alone, as Hardee’s also shut down locations in 2023.
The restaurant chain closed its doors for locations in states like Kansas, Missouri, Georgia, and South Carolina during rounds of shutdowns that affected Hardee’s customers.
Franchise locations affected by bankruptcy
One of the biggest issues for Hardee’s locations last year was the bankruptcy of Summit Restaurant Holdings.
The company filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy last year, which resulted in 39 Hardee’s locations in its portfolio being shut down permanently in states such as Alabama, Florida, Montana, Wyoming, and more.
Other locations were saved from bankruptcy filing
Not all Hardee’s locations in Summit Restaurant Holdings’ portfolio had to say goodbye to customers.
High Bluff Capital Partners bought 81 locations from Summit Restaurants to add to its restaurant portfolio. The company also owns Taco Del Mar, Quiznos, and Church’s Texas Chicken locations.
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Hardee’s has faced struggles in recent year
Like other fast-food retailers, Hardee's has had to deal with struggles in the restaurant industry in recent years, such as inflation affecting prices.
The company also has problems unique to Hardee’s, such as low ratings for its drive-thru service, bad reviews, and racy ads that have turned customers off from shopping the brand.
Other chains are also struggling
Hardee’s isn’t the only restaurant chain that has closed locations in the U.S. this year.
Retailers like Cracker Barrel, Applebee’s, and Outback Steakhouse have also shut down locations so far this year.
Red Lobster also closed almost 100 locations earlier this year before filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy. However, the restaurant chain still has more than 500 spots where customers can get seafood and its famous cheddar biscuits.
Bottom line
Like other restaurants, Hardee’s struggles have forced it to close locations, making it harder for customers to enjoy its burgers and fries.
But that could also help you keep more cash in your pocket. It may be a good time to find ways to save money on groceries so you can grill up your own burgers while helping your budget.
Money tips that can work for everyone
No matter what your bank account balance is, there's always an opportunity to optimize and improve your finances. Here's a quick checklist of things you can look at today.
Focus on paying off your debt. Debt can hold you back from making progress with your overall financial well-being. Aside from cutting expenses, there are tools that can help you pay off debt faster like balance transfer credit cards and debt counseling.
Earning extra income can give you breathing room. If finances are tight, earning some extra money to supplement your income can make a huge difference. A new job is one option to consider, but if you're not ready to make a big change or already retired, a part-time side job could be a better choice.
Cut your expenses. It sounds painful and so not fun, but it doesn't have to be. Take a look at your biggest expenses because that's where you'll probably find the biggest savings. For example, auto insurance rates have been soaring so shopping around for a new insurance company can be the fastest way to cut your bill. Also, look for ways to cut your grocery bill (despite rising inflation).
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