06/11/2026
A Sizzling Success: Hardee’s and Boddie-Noell Enterprises Honor Local Heroes at Fourth Annual First Responders Luncheon
Community spirit was on full display yesterday as Hardee’s and Boddie-Noell enterprises hosted its Fourth Annual First Responders Luncheon at Rocky Mount Lodge 46.
The event served as a heartfelt "thank you" to the dedicated men and women who keep the community safe every day.
The highlight of the day was a powerful partnership with local Hardee’s teams and Boddie-Noell Enterprises employees, who stepped up to ensure Rocky Mount’s finest were well-fed and deeply appreciated.
Members of the local Hardee’s crew and leadership from Boddie-Noell Enterprises gathered early at Lodge 46, trading their usual restaurant kitchens for their own grills. Together, they cooked up a massive, fresh feast for the attendees, bringing their trademark hospitality directly to the frontline workers.
The event saw a fantastic turnout, drawing a diverse crowd of personnel from across the public safety spectrum, including, local Police Officers, Firefighters, and Emergency Medical Services (EMS) Personnel.For a few hours, these local heroes were able to take a well-deserved break, connect with colleagues, and enjoy a hot meal prepared just for them.
The annual luncheon has quickly become a staple event for Hardee’s and Lodge 46, symbolizing the strong bond between Rocky Mount’s business community and its emergency services.
"An event like this doesn't happen without incredible community partners," said a Lodge President Tim Braddy from Lodge 46. "The NC Fraternal Order of Police Rocky Mount Lodge 46 would like to extend our most sincere thanks and appreciation to Hardee's and Boddie-Noell for their unwavering support of our First Responders."
Boddie-Noell Enterprises, a major Hardee's franchise operator known for its deeply rooted commitment to community engagement, once again proved that corporate citizenship is alive and well in North Carolina.
As the wrappers were cleared and the grills cooled down, the sentiment of the day lingered. The success of the Fourth Annual First Responders Luncheon underscores a simple truth: behind every uniform is a person who steps up for the community, and behind every community is a network of businesses ready to support them.
Hardee’s, and Boddie-Noell along with Lodge 46 looks forward to continuing this wonderful tradition for many years to come.