Signatures of this fast-food breakfast and burger chain include Made from Scratch Biscuits and the Thickburger.

by Robyn Galbos

In Short
The first Hardee's opened as a walk-up burger restaurant in 1960 in Greenville, N.C. Today, the fast-food chain has locations across the United States and is spreading internationally. Big, beefy burgers--like the 1/3 pound Thickburger--are the stars, along with sides like fries, coleslaw, mashed potatoes and fried chicken. Breakfast offerings range from Made From Scratch Biscuits to Big Country Platters: biscuit, pancake, eggs, hash rounds and choice of bacon, ham or sausage.