Hardee’s

Hardee’s – Absolute NNN Investment Opportunity
Rome, GA MSA | Northwest Georgia Growth Corridor | Passive Income | Freestanding Drive-Thru

This offering showcases a single-tenant Hardee’s quick-service restaurant secured by a long-term absolute triple-net (NNN) lease in the Rome, Georgia metropolitan area. The asset provides entirely passive income, zero landlord responsibilities, regular rent escalations, and the strength of a nationally recognized QSR brand known for its charbroiled burgers and breakfast platform. Situated on a high-visibility retail artery that funnels traffic between residential districts, healthcare campuses, higher-education institutions, and regional employment hubs, this Hardee’s combines stable cash flow with promising long-term appreciation in a dynamic Northwest Georgia market.

Tenant Overview – Hardee’s

Hardee’s is a flagship brand within the CKE Restaurants portfolio and an established leader in the quick-service burger category across the Southeast and Midwest. The concept differentiates itself with charbroiled burgers, scratch biscuits, and a robust breakfast menu that drives sales across multiple dayparts. Continued reinvestment in drive-thru optimization, digital ordering, and delivery partnerships has bolstered unit-level performance nationwide.

At this Rome-area location, Hardee’s operates under a true absolute NNN lease. The tenant is solely responsible for all property expenses, including real estate taxes, insurance, structural and roof maintenance, HVAC and parking-lot upkeep, landscaping, and site compliance. Scheduled rent escalations every five years enhance net operating income and protect the landlord against inflation over the lease term. Multiple renewal options extend income durability well beyond the base period, preserving asset value and liquidity.

Lease Structure & Income Profile

• Lease Type: Absolute NNN – tenant pays all operating and capital expenses
• Initial Term: Fifteen to twenty years
• Renewal Options: Multiple five-year extensions
• Rent Escalations: Fixed increases every five years, typically in the eight-percent range
• Landlord Duties: None – fully passive “mailbox” income
• Investor Fit: 1031 exchange buyers, family offices, private equity, and REITs targeting reliable yield

With no landlord obligations and predictable rent growth, the property offers a low-risk, inflation-hedged income stream ideal for long-term hold strategies.

Market Overview – Rome, Georgia

Rome serves as the regional economic and cultural hub for Northwest Georgia. Positioned roughly equidistant from Atlanta, Chattanooga, and Birmingham, the city benefits from a diversified economic base that blends healthcare, higher education, manufacturing, and logistics. The broader trade area attracts consumers from surrounding counties, reinforcing Rome’s status as a retail and service nucleus.

Key local drivers include:

• Healthcare – Multiple hospital systems, outpatient centers, and specialty clinics rank among the region’s largest employers.
• Education – Several colleges and universities support daytime populations, research initiatives, and ongoing residential demand.
• Manufacturing & Logistics – Automotive suppliers, flooring plants, and distribution facilities leverage the area’s highway and rail connectivity.
• Tourism & Recreation – Historic downtown attractions, outdoor trail networks, and seasonal events draw visitors and stimulate hospitality spending.

Population growth has remained steady as families, retirees, and professionals seek the region’s cost-of-living advantages, scenic surroundings, and expanding employment opportunities. These fundamentals create durable demand for value-oriented, drive-thru dining concepts like Hardee’s.

Site Characteristics – Prime Retail Corridor

The Hardee’s occupies a freestanding pad along a principal six-lane commercial thoroughfare, drawing daily traffic volumes exceeding twenty-five thousand vehicles. The site delivers:

• Dual-Lane Drive-Thru with dedicated stacking that maximizes throughput.
• Signalized Corner Access providing ingress and egress from both traffic directions.
• Prominent Pylon and Building Signage delivering clear brand exposure.
• Modern Prototype Construction featuring an updated dining room, efficient kitchen line, and LED exterior lighting.
• Ample Parking accommodating dine-in customers and delivery pickup services.

Surrounding national retailers include grocery anchors, fuel stations, automotive service chains, pharmacies, financial branches, and complementary QSR brands. This synergistic environment encourages repeat customer visits and strengthens overall trade-area draw.

Demographics & Consumer Base

Within a five-mile radius:

• Population: Approximately eighty thousand residents, with consistent annual growth.
• Median Household Income: Mid-sixty-thousand-dollar range and rising.
• Age Distribution: Balanced mix of families, college students, workforce professionals, and retirees.
• Daytime Population: Bolstered by medical campuses, manufacturing plants, academic institutions, and government offices.

Residential development inside the outer loop and in neighboring towns adds new rooftops each year, sustaining traffic counts and expanding the QSR customer pool. Hardee’s value-driven menu and breakfast leadership is well aligned with local dining preferences and commuter patterns.

Income Growth & Inflation Protection

Contractual rent escalations every five years provide reliable net operating income increases over the investment horizon. When combined with the tenant’s responsibility for all property expenditures, these scheduled bumps ensure that cash flow outpaces inflation while safeguarding the owner from rising maintenance costs or tax liabilities.

Investment Rationale

1. National Brand Stability – Hardee’s extensive franchise network and strong Southeast presence underpin long-term tenant viability.
2. Absolute NNN Lease – Transfers all expense risk to tenant, delivering predictable, management-free income.
3. Drive-Thru Dominance – Dual-lane configuration and digital ordering capability serve modern consumer habits.
4. Strategic Location – High-traffic arterial with national co-tenancy ensures perpetual exposure.
5. Regional Economic Diversity – Healthcare, education, manufacturing, and tourism support steady employment and spending.
6. Rent Escalations – Scheduled increases provide inflation-hedged growth without additional capital outlay.
7. Sun Belt Momentum – Northwest Georgia benefits from population inflows, infrastructure investment, and business expansion.
8. Limited QSR Supply – Few freestanding, passive-lease drive-thru assets trade in this corridor.
9. Exit Potential – Long lease term and brand credit attract a broad resale buyer pool.
10. Ideal Passive Vehicle – Meets criteria for 1031 exchanges, long-term estate planning, and portfolio diversification.

Key Investment Highlights

• Freestanding Hardee’s drive-thru in a proven retail corridor
• Absolute NNN lease with no landlord responsibilities
• Initial fifteen- to twenty-year term plus renewal options
• Fixed rent growth every five years
• Daily traffic exceeding twenty-five thousand vehicles
• Robust surrounding co-tenancy and residential density
• Regional anchor market with enduring economic drivers
• Inflation-protected cash flow and simplified underwriting
• Target asset class for both private and institutional capital

Conclusion

This Hardee’s in the Rome, Georgia metropolitan area combines strong tenant credit, a passive long-term lease, and a high-visibility location in a growing Northwest Georgia market. With no operational responsibilities, built-in rent growth, and durable regional demand drivers, the property delivers a compelling risk-adjusted yield and an attractive hedge against inflation.

Opportunities featuring national QSR brands on absolute NNN leases in established trade corridors remain limited. Investors seeking dependable, management-free income, whether through a 1031 exchange or direct acquisition, should consider this Hardee’s a prime candidate for immediate evaluation.

Contact the marketing team for the full offering memorandum, lease abstract, financial projections, and acquisition timeline.