Hardee's Franchisee Files for Chapter 11 Bankruptcy Amid Restaurant Closures
Bankruptcy Filing and Restaurant Closures
A significant franchisee of Hardee's has initiated Chapter 11 bankruptcy proceedings following the closure of numerous restaurants, as revealed in recent court documents. Superior Star LLC, based in Phoenix, previously managed over 90 Hardee's outlets but has now been compelled to restructure due to unforeseen maintenance, repair, and tax expenses incurred after acquiring the restaurants from another franchisee, StarCorp LLC, in 2023.
The bankruptcy court filings indicate that Superior Star discovered many of the acquired restaurants were situated in "aged physical facilities," which deterred customer visits. The company also claimed that the previous franchisee failed to disclose critical information regarding the condition of the restaurants during the sale.
Since taking over the locations more than two years ago, Superior Star has downsized its operations to 59 Hardee's restaurants and is now pursuing a reorganization through Chapter 11.
List of Hardee's Locations That Have Closed
In a bankruptcy filing made on Tuesday, Superior Star reported the closure of 30 Hardee's restaurants last year and is looking to terminate leases and cut costs associated with the closed establishments. These closures affected locations across several states, including Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota, and Ohio. Most of the closures occurred in November and December 2025, with local news reports suggesting that some stores shut down unexpectedly, leaving employees surprised.
The closed locations include:
- Columbus, Ohio
- Fairmont, Minnesota
- Fargo, North Dakota
- Le Mars, Iowa
- Louisville, Kentucky
- Madison, Indiana
- Mankato, Minnesota
- Middletown, Ohio
- Paducah, Kentucky
- Sikeston, Missouri
- Sioux City, Iowa
- Sleepy Eye, Minnesota
- Springfield, Illinois
- West Fargo, North Dakota
- Willmar, Minnesota
- Mattoon, Illinois
- Anna, Illinois
- Benton, Illinois
- Centralia, Illinois
- Fredericktown, Missouri
- Marion, Illinois
- Paris, Illinois
- Danville, Illinois
- Elizabethtown, Kentucky
- Marshall, Minnesota
- North Vernon, Indiana
- Ottawa, Illinois
- Spencer, Iowa
It is still uncertain if further closures of Hardee's restaurants will occur due to Superior Star's bankruptcy. A representative for Superior Star did not provide a comment when approached. Hardee's has acknowledged the bankruptcy filing, stating that the decision was influenced by the franchisee's financial and operational challenges. A spokesperson for Hardee's emphasized their commitment to enhancing the Hardee's system and ensuring quality experiences for customers.