Hardees #1 - the original Hardees franchise restaurant, McDonald Street, Rocky Mount, NC, early 1980's. This location was razed shortly after these photos were taken.

Hardees founder Wilbur Hardee opened his first restaurant in Greenville, NC, on September 9, 1960. The first franchise, Hardees #1, opened in Rocky Mount in May 1961, and was run by James Carson Gardner and Leonard Rawls. According to Wilbur Hardee, Gardner and Rawls won a controlling share of the company from him in a game of poker. After realizing that he lost control over his namesake company, Hardee sold his remaining shares to them as well. The chain grew and prospered and was headquartered in Rocky Mount until 2001 when Hardees was purchased by the parent company of Carl's, Jr., and moved its headquarters to St. Louis, MO.