Hardee's Franchisee Seeking Chapter 11 (Phoenix, Arizona)

After closing dozens of locations last year, a large franchisee for the burger and biscuits dining brand is seeking Chapter 11 protection, the latest unfortunate development in a year that has seen numerous bankruptcies related to chain restaurants.

Phoenix-based Superior Star LLC, which at one point operated more than 90 Hardee’s locations, told a bankruptcy court this week that it faced a mountain of unforeseen maintenance, repair, and tax costs immediately after it purchased the establishments from another franchisee in 2023.

It claims that some of the Hardee’s restaurants it purchased were operating within “aged physical facilities” that deterred customers from dining at them, and it accuses the selling franchisee of misrepresenting and omitting certain details relating to the sale, according to court filings.

Most of the restaurants were closed in November and December 2025. The restaurants closest to Tennessee were...
Louisville, KY, Paducah, KY, and Elizabethtown, KY.

Will additional Hardee’s restaurants close? It’s unclear if additional Hardee’s closures are expected as a result of Superior Star’s Chapter 11 proceedings. As of now, there's been no announcement of any Tennessee Hardee's Closing.