RICHMOND, VA. – Hardee’s franchise owner-operator Boddie-Noell Enterprises recently raised more than $116,000 for Special Olympics Virginia (SOVA) to support athletes with disabilities, enabling them to participate in the 2025 Summer Games held in Richmond. The annual fundraiser asked guests to donate $1, $3, $5 or more to support the athletes. As a thank you, each guest that donated received a coupon sheet featuring discounts on Hardee’s favorites to use on the next visit.
Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the largest Hardee’s franchise operator in the United States, has been partners with Special Olympics Virginia for 44 years, culminating in more than $2 million raised. Boddie-Noell is also a sponsor of the Summer Games, providing meals to approximately 1,200 athletes during the event.
“Our relationship with Special Olympics Virginia spans more than four decades and we’ve been partnering with them on this fundraiser for many years,” said Bill Boddie Jr., vice president operations of Boddie-Noell Enterprises. “For this to be the highest donation total in fundraiser history is truly remarkable. We’re proud to support the amazing work SOVA does and grateful to all of our Virginia customers who donated.”
Boddie-Noell and Hardee’s also partner in the Special Olympics Virginia Training for Life program, by employing persons with intellectual disabilities, some of whom are Special Olympics athletes, and providing a welcome workplace environment that breeds success. Boddie-Noell is the longest standing partner of Special Olympics Virginia. Throughout the partnership, Boddie-Noell customers have supported the annual fundraiser, as well as the Law Enforcement Torch Run® for Special Olympics Virginia which unites officers from law enforcement agencies and corrections departments across the state to raise more than a million dollars annually.
“As we celebrate the conclusion of the 2024 Star Campaign, we are overwhelmed with gratitude for our incredible partnership with Boddie-Noell Enterprises/Hardee’s,” said David Thomason, president and chief executive officer of Special Olympics Virginia. “Since 1981, their unwavering dedication to our athletes, families, and communities has been nothing short of extraordinary. This year, they have outdone themselves, raising a record-breaking $116,000—the most ever raised in a single campaign. We couldn’t ask for a more committed partner in advancing our shared vision of a more respectful, inclusive, and unified world. Together, we are proving that the power of community can achieve extraordinary things. Here’s to continuing this incredible journey side-by-side!”
The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities. It provides them with continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community.
To learn more about the Special Olympics Virginia please visit www.specialolympicsva.org.
About Boddie-Noell Enterprises Boddie-Noell is proud to have been a Hardee’s franchise operator for 62 years in 2024. Family-owned, Boddie-Noell is the largest Hardee’s franchisee in the United States with 326 restaurant locations in four states. The company is based in Rocky Mount, N.C. For more information, visit www.bneinc.com.
