The first fast food chain restaurant to come to Spruce Pine has closed its doors permanently. On Monday, August 28th, employees were informed that was the last day of business for the Spruce Pine location and offered employment at other Hardees locations. According to Lauren Ryan, Communications and Engagement Manager for CKE Restaurant Holdings, Inc, Hardees parent company, the decision was not made lightly and was driven by the expiration of the lease. Ryan said, “We appreciate the community’s patronage and have enjoyed serving guests throughout the years.”
The closure will not affect any other Hardees locations.
The Spruce Pine Hardees had survived a May 30th incident where they shut down temporarily for a deep cleaning after a juvenile who had eaten there that morning experienced medical issues a few hours later. Later that same day, Spruce Pine Police stopped an off-duty employee of the Spruce Pine Hardee’s at a traffic stop. The employee, who was on parole, had an illegal substance in his possession. Police found a pill bottle that had been stashed at the restaurant. The employees involved were terminated and the restaurant was disinfected. The restaurant reopened the next morning and has operated without incident.
