Beloved burger-chain is re-opening dozens of restaurants it abruptly closed last year

Hardee’s has a loyal following, particularly when it comes to its breakfast offerings.

Good coffee. Good breakfast sandwiches. It even brought back those delicious cinnamon‑raisin biscuits last year. But Hardee’s also broke the hearts of many of its loyal patrons last year when nearly 80 of its restaurants were suddenly shuttered.

According to reports, 77 Hardee’s were closed. The restaurants were located in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Missouri, Montana, South Carolina and Wyoming. The decision came after Hardee’s Restaurants sued ARC Burger, claiming that the franchisee failed to keep up with payments.

There is good news for some of the people who saw their local Hardee’s close, though. Some of those locations are reopening, and some have already started serving food again.

“We are pleased to have recently reopened 15 locations in Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina markets as Hardee’s corporate restaurants,” Hardees told Fast Company. “This is part of a broader reopening strategy by which Hardee’s expects to assume ownership and resume operations for more than 40 recently closed locations that were previously independently owned and operated by ARC Burger.”

Fast Company said Hardee’s is also looking for opportunities to reopen some of the other shuttered locations.

“We understand the important role these restaurants play in the neighborhoods they serve and are pleased to be bringing Hardee’s back to these local communities,” Hardee’s told Fast Company.

ARC Burger reportedly made the decision to shutter the locations late last year in response to the lawsuit.

The lawsuit claimed that the franchisee started missing payments in December 2024. Hardee’s claimed the payments included franchise royalties, technology and training fees, rent and taxes, and advertising contributions.

“These closures are a result of ARC Burger’s failure to cure its defaults under its franchise agreements, despite solid sales and our continued attempts over the course of many months to reach a resolution that would keep these restaurants open,” Hardee’s said in a statement to USA Today.

Hardee’s was reportedly suing ARC Burger for $6.5 million that Hardee’s said was owed as part of its franchise agreements.