RICHMOND, Va. (Oct. 7, 2009) – On Oct. 13 Hardee’s® restaurants operated by Boddie-Noell Enterprises across the state will sell Stars for a dollar to raise money for Special Olympic Virginia.
The annual fundraiser, called Buy a Star, Be a Fan, ends on Nov. 9 and is slated to help more than 1,000 Special Olympics athletes participate in the 2010 summer games. Last year, Hardee’s owned and operated by Boddie-Noell raised more than $30,000 for Special Olympics Virginia.
Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the largest Hardee’s franchise operator in the United States, has been partners with the Special Olympics Virginia for 29 years, contributing in excess of $1 million to the organization during this time. Boddie-Noell owns and operates 180 Hardee’s restaurants across Virginia.
“For 29 years Hardee’s has been helping Special Olympics Virginia create more inclusive communities throughout the Commonwealth,” said Rick Jeffrey, president of Special Olympics Virginia. “The Special Star promotion is another example of the Hardee’s commitment to believe in people and help everyone reach their full potential. I hope that everyone will visit Hardee’s this month to buy a star and make sure that as many athletes as possible get to compete at Special Olympics Virginia competitions in 2010.”
Boddie-Noell and Hardee’s also partner in the Special Olympics Virginia Training for Life program, by employing persons with intellectual disabilities, some of whom are Special Olympics athletes, and providing a welcome workplace environment that breeds success.
“We look forward to supporting Special Olympics Virginia each year,” said Jerry Allsbrook, chief marketing officer for Boddie-Noell and a board member of Special Olympics Virginia. “The role this organization fulfills in communities across the state is invaluable. We know this would not be possible without the continuous support of our customers across the Commonwealth. Our goal is to make this year the most successful fundraiser to date.”
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It provides them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. To learn more about the Special Olympics Virginia please visit http://www.specialolympicsva.org/.
About Boddie-Noell Enterprises
Boddie-Noell Enterprises (BNE) is a diversified family owned business engaged primarily in restaurants and land development. BNE is the largest Hardee’s franchise operator in the United States with 341 restaurants across four states including 180 restaurants in Virginia. Visit http://www.bneinc.com/.
About Hardee’s
Celebrating more than 45 years in the quick-service industry, Hardee’s Food Systems is a wholly owned subsidiary of CKE Restaurants, Inc. (NYSE: CKR) of Carpinteria, Calif. As of the end of its fiscal 2010 second quarter, CKE Restaurants, Inc., though its subsidiaries, had a total of 3,140 franchised, licensed or company-operated restaurants in 42 states and 14 countries, including 1,212 Carl’s Jr. restaurants and 1,915 Hardee’s restaurants. For more information, or to find a Hardee’s near you, go to www.ckr.com or www.hardees.com.