Jack Laughery, former CEO of Hardee's and former Chairman of its Board of Directors, died Sunday in Jackson Hole, Wyo. at the age of 71. He died of pneumonia after a battle against lung cancer.


Laughery joined the Hardee's family in 1972 as executive vice president of operations after Hardee's bought the Sandy's restaurant chain. One year later he was appointed president and chief operating officer, and in 1975 he was named CEO - a title he held until his retirement in 1990.


During his tenure as CEO, Laughery guided the chain through its introduction of the "Big Twin" sandwich, the launch of Made-From-Scratch(TM) biscuits, the launch of the highly successful California Raisins(TM) promotion and the acquisition of the Burger Chef chain. When he retired as CEO in 1990, Hardee's was the third largest QSR hamburger chain in the world with system- wide sales of $4.1 billion. After his retirement as CEO, Laughery served as Chairman of Hardee's from 1990-1994.


"Our deepest sympathies go out to the Laughery family, especially to his wife Helen and his four daughters," said Andrew F. Puzder, Hardee's president and CEO. "Jack will always be known as a tireless leader and fast-food innovator. His contributions to the Hardee's brand, to the state of North Carolina and to the city of Rocky Mount will never be forgotten."