Hardee's Raises More Than $55,000 for Special Olympics Virginia


RICHMOND, VA--(Marketwire - December 3, 2009) - Hardee's® restaurants operated by Boddie-Noell Enterprises across the state have raised more than $55,000 for Special Olympics Virginia. The annual fundraiser, called "Buy a Star, Be a Fan," in which Stars sell for $1, began on Oct. 13 and ran through Nov. 9. The funds raised this year will help more than 1,000 Special Olympics athletes participate in the 2010 summer games.

Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the largest Hardee's franchise operator in the United States, has been partners with the Special Olympics Virginia for 29 years, contributing in excess of $1 million to the organization during this time. Boddie-Noell owns and operates 180 Hardee's restaurants across Virginia.

"The 'Be a Fan, Buy a Star' Campaign grew significantly in 2009 and a lot of good will be done with that much-needed funding," said Rick Jeffrey, president of Special Olympics Virginia. "The significant thing about Boddie-Noell is that they not only raise funds for Special Olympics and volunteer, but that they employee our Special Olympics athletes and people with intellectual disabilities in their restaurants."

Boddie-Noell and Hardee's also partner in the Special Olympics Virginia "Training for Life" program, by employing persons with intellectual disabilities, some of whom are Special Olympics athletes, and providing a welcome workplace environment that breeds success.

"We are extremely appreciative of all the customers who supported Hardee's fundraising success this year," said Jerry Allsbrook, chief marketing officer for Boddie-Noell and a board member of Special Olympics Virginia. "We look forward to seeing all the local athletes and their families in Richmond at the 2010 Summer Games."

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It provides them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.

To learn more about the Special Olympics Virginia please visit www.specialolympicsva.org.

About Boddie-Noell Enterprises

Boddie-Noell Enterprises (BNE) is a diversified family owned business engaged primarily in restaurants and land development. With more than 47 years in the quick-service industry, BNE is the largest Hardee's franchise operator in the United States with 341 restaurants across four states including 180 restaurants in Virginia. For more information visit www.bneinc.com.

About Hardee's

Celebrating more than 45 years in the quick-service industry, Hardee's Food Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) of Carpinteria, Calif. As of the end of its fiscal 2010 second quarter, CKE Restaurants, Inc., though its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,140 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and 14 countries, including 1,212 Carl's Jr. restaurants and 1,915 Hardee's restaurants. For more information, or to find a Hardee's near you, go to www.ckr.com or www.hardees.com.

Contact Information: Contact: Rick Rountree 919-878-1144