Hardee’s is reopening dozens of restaurants: See a list of closed locations that are back in business

The gravy train is picking up steam again at Hardee’s. The Southern-inspired fast food chain has been quietly reopening locations across the Southeast after an explosive legal battle with a franchisee had led to dozens of store closures late last year. Newly reopened Hardee’s restaurants in at least three states—Georgia, South Carolina, and Missouri—are being described in job listings as “now corporate owned,” according to recent ads posted on Indeed.com and SimplyHired. They share addresses with Hardee’s restaurants formerly operated by franchisee ARC Burger, whose 77 locations shuttered in December 2025. Some of the listings are marked as “urgent.” Reached for comment by Fast Company , a spokesperson for Hardee’s Restaurants confirmed the reopenings and said more are on the horizon. “We are pleased to have recently reopened 15 locations in the Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina markets as Hardee’s corporate restaurants,” the spokesperson said. “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. The brand also says it is exploring options to reopen additional shuttered stores that weren’t part of the ARC portfolio, either as franchised or company-owned 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,” the company said. Hardee’s is owned by Tennessee-based CKE Restaurants Holdings, which also owns the Carl’s Jr. fast food chain. The privately held company does not routinely disclose financial results or data about what percentage of its restaurants are franchised. What happened to ARC Burger? ARC Burger was formed in 2023 by High Bluff Capital Partners, a private equity firm that also owns restaurant chains such as Quiznos and...