After years of rumors, Brunswick beach town getting first fast-food restaurant

Jamey Cross, Wilmington StarNews
·2 min read
Construction of a Hardee's is underway Jan. 13, 2023 in Holden Beach, N.C. at the corner of Ocean View Ave. and Holden Beach Road across from the Food Lion and Walgreens. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS
Construction of a Hardee's is underway Jan. 13, 2023 in Holden Beach, N.C. at the corner of Ocean View Ave. and Holden Beach Road across from the Food Lion and Walgreens. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS

Rumors that a Hardee’s restaurant would be coming to Holden Beach have been floating around the coastal community for years. Now, it’s finally happening.

Construction on a Hardee’s restaurant at the intersection of Ocean View Avenue and Holden Beach Road, across from the Food Lion and Walgreens, is officially underway.

Hardee’s is an American fast-food restaurant chain that opened its first location in Greenville, North Carolina, in 1960. Today, there are more than 1,800 Hardee’s locations in the nation, largely in Southeast and Midwest states. Hardee’s also has locations in 12 other countries.

Construction of a Hardee's is underway Jan. 13, 2023 in Holden Beach, N.C. at the corner of Ocean View Ave. and Holden Beach Road across from the Food Lion and Walgreens. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS
Construction of a Hardee's is underway Jan. 13, 2023 in Holden Beach, N.C. at the corner of Ocean View Ave. and Holden Beach Road across from the Food Lion and Walgreens. KEN BLEVINS/STARNEWS

Alan Holden, mayor of Holden Beach, said he’s heard positive reactions from the community regarding this long-awaited upgrade to the town. Holden added that this will be the first-ever fast-food restaurant in the town.

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“It’s been coming for I don’t know how many years,” Holden said. “It’s about the most exciting news we’ve got in Holden Beach right now.”

Hardee’s corporate office did not respond to a StarNews request for more information as of Monday, but with construction already underway, Holden said he expects the restaurant to go up quickly.

“I’m hoping I’m going to be eating a ham, egg and cheese biscuit there this spring,” Holden said.

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While this will be Holden Beach’s first location of the burger and breakfast sandwich spot, Hardee’s restaurants dot Brunswick County, from Leland and Northwest to Shallotte and Ocean Isle Beach.

In nearby New Hanover County, there are four Hardee’s in Wilmington, one in Castle Hayne and one in Carolina Beach.

Jamey Cross covers Brunswick County for the StarNews. Reach her at jbcross@gannett.com or message her on Twitter @jameybcross.

This article originally appeared on Wilmington StarNews: Hardee's is coming to Holden Beach. Here's what we know.