Hardee's Store Closures: Full List of Restaurants Closed Amid Bankruptcy

Superior Star LLC, a major Hardee’s franchisee, has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after closing 30 restaurants across eight states, citing unexpected repair, maintenance and tax costs.

A major Hardee’s franchisee has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy after closing dozens of restaurants, according to new court documents.

Phoenix-based Superior Star LLC, which once operated more than 90 Hardee’s locations, told the bankruptcy court that it was forced to restructure after facing unexpected maintenance, repair and tax costs following its purchase of the restaurants from another franchisee, StarCorp LLC, in 2023.

According to the court filings, Superior Star said many of the restaurants it acquired were operating in “aged physical facilities” that discouraged customers from visiting. The company also alleged that the selling franchisee misrepresented or omitted important details about the condition of the restaurants during the sale.

Since acquiring the locations more than two years ago, Superior Star has reduced its footprint to 59 Hardee’s restaurants and is now seeking to reorganize its business through Chapter 11 proceedings.

In a bankruptcy filing submitted Tuesday, Superior Star said it closed 30 Hardee’s restaurants last year and is seeking to terminate leases and eliminate expenses tied to the shuttered properties.

The closed restaurants were located across Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Minnesota, Missouri, North Dakota and Ohio. Most of the closures took place during November and December 2025, with local media reports at the time indicating some stores closed abruptly, leaving employees caught off guard.

The affected locations include:

It remains unclear whether additional Hardee’s restaurants will close as a result of Superior Star’s bankruptcy.

A lawyer for Superior Star did not respond to a request for comment. Hardee’s acknowledged the bankruptcy filing but said the decision was based on the franchisee’s own financial and business circumstances.

“We remain focused on continuing to strengthen the Hardee’s system and deliver quality experiences for our guests,” a Hardee’s spokesperson said.