Who Owns Hardee’s?
CKE Restaurants, the company that also owns Carl’s Jr. CKE has been owned by the private equity firm Roark Capital since 2013.
Hardee’s history
Wilber Hardee opened the first Hardee’s in Greenville, North Carolina in 1960. The chain grew fast across the South and Midwest and later bought the Roy Rogers chain, before Canadian owner Imasco sold Hardee’s to CKE in 1997.
| Year | What happened |
|---|---|
| 1960 | Wilber Hardee opens the first Hardee’s in Greenville |
| 1980s | Canadian company Imasco takes control of Hardee’s |
| 1997 | CKE Restaurants buys Hardee’s |
| 2013 | Roark Capital buys CKE Restaurants |
Why Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr. look alike
After CKE bought Hardee’s, it gave the chain the same smiling star logo and many of the same burgers as Carl’s Jr. The difference is mainly where they operate and Hardee’s made from scratch biscuits.
See the menu
Biscuit, burger and Thickburger prices are on the Hardee’s menu.
Related Questions
Who owns Hardee’s and Carl’s Jr.?
Both are owned by CKE Restaurants, which is owned by Roark Capital.
Who founded Hardee’s?
Wilber Hardee, who opened the first restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina in 1960.
Is Hardee’s publicly traded?
No. It is part of CKE Restaurants, which is privately owned.
When did CKE buy Hardee’s?
In 1997.
What else does Roark Capital own?
Roark also controls Inspire Brands, which owns Arby’s, Sonic and Buffalo Wild Wings, and it owns Subway.
Is Hardee’s a franchise?
Yes. Most Hardee’s restaurants are run by franchise owners.
More on Hardee’s
About this guide. USA Food Menu is an independent reference site and is not affiliated with Hardee’s or CKE Restaurants. Details come from public sources and were checked in October 2026. See current prices on the Hardee’s menu.
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