Millvale Hardee's — chain's only location in Pittsburgh region — closes

The only Hardee’s restaurant in the Pittsburgh region, and a cornerstone of the Millvale community, has closed.

While a banner on the eatery at the convergence of North and Evergreen avenues thanks its customers for 50 years of business, the message under the red pylon sign simply said, “Closed.”

Eric Hodos and Rebecca Pietrusinski, co-owners of Compass Point Coffee across the street, said they watched Tuesday morning as regular breakfast customers pulled into the Hardee’s parking lot, only to leave.

“We’re so sad,” Pietrusinski said.

Since opening their coffee shop in April, Hodos said they had formed a symbiotic relationship with Hardee’s. Not wanting to compete, they would refer people there for sandwiches, and Hardee’s, in turn, would point customers to them for coffee.

“They were our first customers in the door,” Hodos said, adding the closing came with no warning. “The people there were always wonderful.”

Owner Bob Bodzenski was seen at the location Tuesday morning but was not immediately available to comment.

About four years ago, Bodzenski, a franchise owner, closed a Hardee’s on National Road in Wheeling, W.Va., according to a report from The Intelligencer Wheeling News-Register. According to the report, he cited the lease coming up and not wanting to commit to the term of a new one.

The building was torn down in May 2024.

The closing caught the eye of former Millvale Mayor Jim Burn. The Hardee’s was a traditional “meet up” location, as well as the launching point for Millvale Days parades and car cruises, he said Monday on Facebook.

“One of life’s only certainties is change,” Burn said. “We do not always appreciate something until it is gone. This change marks the end of an era.”

The borough itself chimed in: “Hardee’s was a landmark here in the Boro; we are sad to see them go.”

A Hardee’s spokesperson called it “an isolated closure in this area.”

”We understand that these changes may cause inconvenience, and we sincerely appreciate your loyalty and support throughout the years,” spokeswoman Lauren Garton said.

The company was founded by Wilber Hardee in Greenville, N.C., in September 1960. It became known for its biscuits, chicken tenders and burgers.

On its website, Hardee’s lists 1,000 locations in 31 states. That’s down from the 3,828 restaurants it had in 40 states and 10 foreign countries when acquired by its current owners, CKE Restaurants, in 1997.

The site lists 15 in Pennsylvania, including Millvale.

The next closest location to Pittsburgh is about an hour and 55 miles away from Millvale, in Waynesburg.