AHOSKIE – Jeanette Wallen of the Hardee’s® at 104 NC-561, Ahoskie, has won the Founders Award, which is the top award given out by the largest Hardee’s franchisee in the country, Boddie-Noell Enterprises.

The Founders Award is given annually to the company’s top 10 restaurant general managers and top two district managers.

The individuals and restaurants represent the best among the 338 Hardee’s restaurants operated by the company across four states. The winners were selected on an established set of criteria for operational excellence in 2016.

The annual award is given in honor of the company’s three founders, Mayo Boddie, Sr., the late Nicholas Boddie, Jr. and the late W. Carleton Noell, who opened Boddie-Noell’s first Hardee’s in 1962.

“Jeanette’s built the team, maintained sales and done everything right,” said Gene Dickens, regional vice president for Boddie-Noell Enterprises. “With every challenge we’ve given her, she’s risen to the occasion.”

The annual recognition and celebration of the winners was held at the company’s Rose Hill Conference Center near Nashville, N.C. Winning general managers received a cash award and a plaque. Cash awards were also presented to the restaurant team for their 2016 performance.

In her spare time, Wallen enjoys spending time at Home Depot and doing home improvement projects. Her favorite menu item is Frisco Breakfast Sandwich®.

The other Founders Award winners are: senior general manager Pat Neill with the Hardee’s in Lincolnton, general manager Darline Cole with the Hardee’s in Hertford, general manager Stacy Buffkin with the Hardee’s in Fuquay-Varina, general manager Jean Milner with the Hardee’s on W. Vernon Street in Kinston, general manager Mary Sheely with the Hardee’s in Concord, senior general manager Sarah Smith with the Hardee’s in Bamberg, SC, general manager Mary Upshur with the Hardee’s in Onley, VA, senior general manager Vicki Messick with the Hardee’s in Richmond Plaza in Williamsburg, VA, and general manager Jacqueline Quarles with the Hardee’s on Hampton Boulevard in Norfolk, VA. The two winning district managers are district manager Robin Wilson of Hertford and senior district manager Anita Huffstetler of Belmont.

With over 50 years success as a Hardee’s franchisee, family-owned Boddie-Noell is the largest Hardee’s franchise operator in the United States with 338 restaurant locations in four states. The company is based in Rocky Mount, N.C. For more information, visit www.bneinc.com.