ROCKY MOUNT — The nation’s largest Hardee’s franchise owners, Boddie-Noell Enterprises, recently raised more than $30,000 for the Patriot Foundation to support military families and provide educational scholarships to fallen and injured N.C. military children and spouses. The fundraiser was part of a limited-time Hardee’s “FRYDAY” promotion in which 25 cents were donated to the Patriot Foundation for every crinkle-cut french fry sold each Friday.
As part of the fundraising initiative, the new crinkle-cut french fries were added to Hardee’s hand-breaded chicken tenders platter. The meal included a choice of three or five tenders, dipping sauces, crinkle-cut fries, slaw, toast and a beverage.
The enhanced menu coincides with Boddie-Noell’s investment of over $20 million in new Hardee’s restaurant remodels in the area. “This is our home market and includes the most restaurants of any region where we operate,” said Mike Boddie, president of Boddie-Noell Enterprises. “We’re showing our commitment here by investing not only in our restaurants but also in our community. The Patriot Foundation does incredible work to support families of soldiers killed or wounded while supporting our country.”
Shortly after the attacks on 9/11 and amid military conflicts in the Middle East, Spike and Debbie Smith founded the Patriot Foundation in Pinehurst in 2003. What began as a charity golf tournament to raise money and awareness for soldiers in the Fort Bragg (now Fort Liberty) area grew and now supports multiple military installations and services nationwide. Thanks to corporate sponsorships from companies such as Boddie-Noell Enterprises and individual donations, the foundation has provided educational scholarships — totaling more than $17 million to the children and spouses of servicemen and women killed, wounded, or injured while serving our nation.
“We are so grateful to Mike and the fantastic team at Boddie-Noell. Their support over the years has impacted hundreds of military families,” said Kim Gilley, executive vice president for the foundation. “Taking Care of Those Left Behind isn’t just our mantra. It is the passion of every donor and volunteer,” their website states.
Boddie-Noell was founded in Fayetteville in 1962 when Carleton Noell and the late Mayo and Nick Boddie opened one of the first Hardee’s restaurants. Today, Boddie-Noell Enterprises operates more than 330 Hardee’s restaurants and is the famous brand’s largest franchisee.
To learn more go to The Patriot Foundation at patriotfoundation.org and Boddie-Noell Enterprises at bneinc.com.