New Hardee's to Sandwich Fridley?

When Hardee's announced plans earlier this month to build as many as 59 new locations around the Twin Cities in the next five years, there remained mystery abouit where those restaurants would be.

That question appears to have been answered, as City Pages secured a map of planned sites for the burger joints. Local carnivores will be happy to hear that two of the targeted spots for new Hardee's are near Fridley's southern and northern borders. The map (see it here) isn't crystal clear but it appears two of the new locations are:

• University Avenue NE near the Northtown Mall
• The area of 53rd and Central avenues NE

A third nearby location is about four miles east in Arden Hills.

Jim Sullivan, head of franchise development with CKE Restaurants, told City Pages the tentative locations—59 in total—all have high traffic counts, populations in the 40,000 range, good site visibility and drive-through access.

Michael Sawyer, CKE's market planning manager, said the locations aren't guaranteed to eventually house Hardee's restaurants, but said the preliminary sites will serve as "reference points."

"Somewhere in this area, we feel there's the right stuff to make a successful Hardee's," Sawyer said.

There are presently 21 Hardee's locations sprinkled throughout the Twin Cities, with the closest to Fridley are each about 10 miles away, on E. Main Street in Anoka and on Hamline Avenue N. in St. Paul.

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