Wilbur Hardee Dead

Wilbur Hardee, the founder and former owner of the Hardee's fast food franchise, died in Greenville, North Carolina, on June 20, 2008.

Fast Facts

1. Born:
2. Birthplace:
3. Military Service: U.S. Navy
4. Spouse: Helen Galloway Hardee
5. Children: Five daughters
6. First wife: Kathryn Roebuck Hardee, deceased
7. Died: June 20, 2008
8. Lost control of company in 1963 poker game
9. Other restaurants founded: Biscuit Town, Beef and Shake, Hot Dog City¹

Hardee's History

After returning from service in the U.S. Navy in World War II, Hardee married and began opening restaurants in his home state of North Carolina. In 1960, he opened a drive-in outside the East Carolina University campus which offered a 15 cent hamburger. The drive-in was immediately a success, and with the help of two partners, Jim Gardner and Leonard Rawls, they began the Hardee's franchise.²

Bets Away Hardee's

In 1963, Hardee returned from a late-night poker game to inform his family that he had bet away controlling interest in the franchise.¹ Hardee's would continue to become one of the most successful fast food franchises in the United States. However, between 1949 and 1991, Hardee opened 85 other restaurants across the South.²

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