Wilbur Hardee Dead at 89

I read that Wilbur Hardee, the founder of the Hardee's Hamburger chain, died.

His story shows that he was a true "wildcat" entrepreneur - not some buttoned down corporate type.

After he founded Hardee's in 1960, it expanded and went public in 1963.  A couple of years later, he was out.

Why?  He and his partners were out drinking and playing cards.  He bet some of his stock and lost.  His controlling interest was cut to 49%.  He refused to be controlled, so he sold off the rest of his stock and walked away.

He ended up launching 85 more restaurants in his lifetime.

However, he always loved Hardee's and considered it to be his little child.

He had a simple philosophy: "If you don't eat it, don't give it to your customers.  Make sure they get first quality."