Iconic Fast-Food Chain Making a Comeback After Closing Locations in 2025

It's a thrilling feeling when a favorite restaurant or fast-food spot makes a comeback after time away. In 2025, various major restaurant chains closed, but now, one iconic chain is opening its doors again after being forced to shutter locations.

According to Black Box Intelligence data, as reported by CNBC, U.S. restaurant traffic fell every month in 2025 except for July. "In such a tough environment, some restaurant companies even filed for bankruptcy protection," the report states.

So, it's no wonder restaurants across the U.S. have been forced to close. But, some still have a happy ending.

Beloved Fast-Food Chain Gets a Second Chance as It Reopen Stores Across the U.S.

Now, Hardee's is making a comeback. According to research from USA Today, the fast-food chain closed 77 locations in 2025.

A statement sent to the publication from Hardee's Restaurants at the time explained, "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."

But, the good news is that some of the other Hardee's locations that shut down in 2025 are reopening.

"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 in a statement. "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."

In addition to those locations, Fast Company said Hardee's also plans to reopen more of their previously closed locations. It makes sense. If those spots are still vacant, they can move back in and start up where they left off with the infrastructure already in place.

"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 in the report.

The History of Hardee's

Hardee's, according to the company's official website, got its start back in the 1960s. "Wilber Hardee, opens his first Hardee's restaurant in Greenville, North Carolina, on September 3, 1960," they state on their site. "The one-of-a-kind menu included 15-cent hamburgers, 10-cent fries, and 20-cent milkshakes. By the end of the 60s, there were more than 200 Hardee's locations."

The chain expanded in the 1970s, both the number of locations and menu, including the addition of its "famous, fresh Made From Scratch Biscuits and Roast Beef Sandwich, which continue to be guest favorites today."

Hardee's still serves up its offerings in the Midwest and Southeast. It's great to hear that the longstanding chain is making a comeback.