I remember Hardee's way-back-when, very good burgers, several years back Hardee's and Carl's Jr. merged or one bought the other (IIRC). I'd get Carl's Jr. on the west coast and Hardee's in the southeast, none in Houston. About two years ago they opened a Carl's Jr. in Bastrop, Tx. On my way to Austin, the first time I saw their sign I exited the bypass, U turned and got a bacon cheese burger, good as I remembered it.
Seems to me that there are four kinds of burger places:
> Fast food chains - McDonalds, Burger King, Hardees/Carl's Jr., Dairy Queen, Whataburger, Jack in the Box, etc.
> Burger chains - In and Out Burger, Fat Burger, 5 Guys, Fuddruckers, White Castle, etc.
> Restaurant burgers - Chili's, TGI Fridays, Denny's, etc.
> Unique mom-n-pop shops - everywhere in every quality and price
I'd have to go with Hardee's/Carl's Jr., Fuddruckers, Chili's and the long-closed Burger Haus on Park Place in Houston as my favorites in those categories.
Hardee’s bought Carl's Jr. Used love CJ’s Bullseye BBQ Burger. I liked CJ’s better. Hardee’s also bought Roy Rodger's Chicken and tried to close the chain. Customer outrage kept it open.