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Hardee's ads too much for NC

Submitted by AlanMWolf on 07/21/2009 - 18:45

Another Hardee's promotion has been rejected as too racy for North Carolina's conservative consumers.

The Rocky Mount company that is Hardee's largest franchisee is angry about TV ads for the fast-food chain's new Biscuit Holes.

Boddie-Noell Enterprises, which owns nearly 350 Hardee's, is refusing to run the ads, which also are drawing fire from the Parents Television Council.

The ads ask customers to help name the sweet treats, and offer suggestions such as "iced B-holes." In one ad, customers doing taste tests are asked to choose between the "A-holes" and the "B-holes."

In a letter to the council, Boddie-Noell chairman Ben Mayo Boddie wrote that he won't allow the ads to run in any markets that it controls, and that he has asked Hardee's parent, CKE Restaurants of California, to drop the ads everywhere.

Hardee's has drawn criticism for its ads before, including ones that featured socialite Paris Hilton in a bathing suit eating a massive burger.

Boddie-Noell has "opted not to air CKE ads in the past that they felt were in bad taste," said Rick Rountree, an outside spokesman. "The largest franchisee has say-so over its market, which covers most of North Carolina."

When there are "differences of opinion" like this, CKE provides alternative ads for Boddie-Noell to run in this market, Rountree added.

CKE is running the ads in select markets only after 9 p.m. and has no plans to drop the ads, said spokeswoman Jenna Petroff.

The ads are aimed at Hardee's "target audience of Young, Hungry Guys," she said in a prepared statement. "We do not aim to exclude or offend any other group with our efforts, but merely to appeal and amuse a very specific audience."

Another new Hardee's promotion involves using actresses dressed as French maids on segways to promote the chain's new French Dip Thickburger.

"The Hardee's marketing team seems intent on pushing the boundaries at every turn whether we're talking about 'iced B-holes' or the company's attempts at turning hamburgers into sex objects," said Parents Television Council president Tim Winter, in a statement. "Each and every local franchisee can and should object and every Hardee's customer has the right to patronize a more responsible fast food restaurant chain."

Comments

Hardees -- TASTELESNESS & Mysoginy & Bigotry Protected By Consti

Wed, 07/29/2009 - 12:25 — foxnsox6

wait a minute ---- it is not just the "bible-thumping moralit-police conservatives" who hate this commercial -- OF COURSE Hardees has the right to be just as bigoted, sexist and ugly-spirited as they they like --- and i will vote with my feet -----------BK is pretty good too. There may come a day when hardees wished they had not just tailored their commercial to the 18-39 male demo. THIS FLAMING TREE HUGGING, CIVIL RIGHTS LOVIN' LIBERAL does not like the commercials either. i wont eat there anymore -- ONE TOO MANY SICK SAD COMMERCIALS. ACTUALLY BK and Hardees are making a fast race to the bottom. GUYS? YOU THINK THIS COMMERCIAL IS CUTE? YOU WANT YOU GIRLFRIED/DAUGHTER TO BE REFERRED TO AS A "HOLE"?????
this company stinks more and more EVERY DAY.

Free Buzz a Great Marketing Ploy

Fri, 07/24/2009 - 09:59 — TheTrademarkCompany

Hats off to Hardees. Even with the cost of Newspaper ads and television spots on the downturn free advertising is still the best advertising (See Trump / Branson).
For a little controversy they have received arguably millions in free press. And guess what, we all now know about their Biscuit Holes!
The Trademark Company

Heavy Handed Response

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 23:55 — ValueDining

The best way to make something popular is to ban it.

They can do what they want - they own the places, but this will probably backfire.

But they did get people to talk about their product.

It's been a very popular item on our dining site, getting thousands of hits.

http://valuedining.com/fast-food/fast-food-news/411-hardees-new-biscuit-holes-what-an-ad

OMG!! Loosen up people!

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 23:51 — terren

OMG!! Loosen up people!

Western civilization is not going to crumble because someone says a-hole in a television commercial!

Seriously?

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 15:58 — mhorney

The ad might be juvenile, but it is somewhat funny. And these days, competing with every other ad on TV, it needs to stand out. Big deal. It's too bad that once again, someone has lumped North Carolina into the realm of fuddy-duddies that can't handle reality.

Hardee's NC should be thankful that someone can come up with an ad that uses imagination and appeals to the demographic they are trying to attract. If they wish to be 'holier than thou' they should start worrying more about the amount of cholesterol and fat that 350 fast food locations are pouring into the general population, than about the verbiage and innuendo in the latest ad.

Give me a break.

I really don't see much

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 15:02 — henrye

I really don't see much wrong with the ad , unless they are competing with a brothel, I thought it was comical

Ad must be working....

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 14:46 — jepthas

The ad must be working. Look at how many of us read the article, and commented. In some religions, the gods don't care if you are for or against them, as long as they are part of the conversation. This is obviously Hardees goal. Even bad ads are better than being ignored!!

Pharma

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 14:20 — smangano

Come on --- how can this be offensive when Pharma companies can speak air pretty suggestive commercials on sexual activity and related male issues. How many parents are explaining what an e---tion is in the middle of a baseball game. If as a society we are going to complain about anything let's get our priorities focused.

I guess big Pharma has more money then big food.

Pharma VS The A-Hole (Or The Anal Retentive Ad)

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 17:14 — flolake

Good grief. Every child I know, from the age of 5 to 12 is more than likely to be up & at 'em @ 9P & beyond. Ignoring a pharmaceutical commercial would be a lot easier than a Hardees vulgar commercial offering; hands down. I can hear the 5 year old now, loudly parroting the "a-hole/b-hole" trashy commercial. And it likely gets worse when, without explanation, the kid is instructed not to repeat that patent crap ever!

Roll up to a Hardees/Hardlys fast food restaurant drive-through next time with the 5 year old child in tow & you'll soon learn a quick lesson or two; hurt feelings, fanny and so on.

As for the 12 year old, he'd likely have enough sense to put a sock in it around ma & pa 'b-hole' but whatcha wanna bet he'll soon come home with a nasty-gram from school about his own rendition of the aforementioned commercial?

Just reading this story and thinking about placing an order through the drive-through speaker is enough to gag a maggot.

Yep, this seems to be their best shot at Hardees California pee-pee doo-doo marketing associate(s):

"The ads are aimed at Hardee's "target audience of Young, Hungry Guys," she said in a prepared statement. "We do not aim to e x c l u d e or offend any other group with our efforts, but merely to appeal and amuse a very specific audience."

Personally, I've had an on again and mostly off again relationship at 'Hardleys' since they opened in the '60s @ .15 cents a pop; burgerwise. Their menu offerings were quite limited; way back when...

Until now, I didn't realize that the slutty/sleazy Paris Hilton commercial was of Hardees' design. That coupled with the 'a-hole/b-hole' thang and I do believe that morally twisted corporation (IMO) can do just fine without my having to chance going through their drive through with a child in tow and a sudden connection hits the child, not to mention the battle that would surely ensue, once I sped off sans Hardees' food.

I thank-you N&O for enlightening me about a problem you've allowed me not to encounter; now or ever. After all, there is a McD's right across the street where the prices are markedly cheaper and the price of a large drink doesn't make my 'b-hole' draw up in disgust.

Better yet I believe I can from this day forward; pretty much swear off both of those eating holes. It's cheaper and likely much healthier to just cook at home; a win win hole in one, for me and kids.

Pharma ads

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 15:48 — nadiamakov

I agree totally regarding the ads for Cialis, etc. and I have no children in the house.............why don't the wackos fight those ads

Can't Satisfy Everyone

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 13:21 — NCInterpol

I'm not going to lie, that Parish Hilton commercial was hot! I don't even like Hardee's and that made me go get a burger.

You should try Hardee's if you haven't in a while

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 13:19 — George_S

I would be the first to agree that for a long time Hardee's did suck. The food was bad, the service sucked, and the restaurants were dirty.

However if you haven't been there since the Thickburgers were introduced, you are missing out. I think they are the best tasting fast food burger out there right now. Things at Hardee's have changed since CKE (Carl's Jr.) bought them out and introduced their dinner menu. Everything on the menu has improved in taste. Service has improved, and the restaurants have been cleaned up. If you haven't eaten there since you were a kid, you will be pleasantly surprised.

Hardee's sucks. I don't

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 12:58 — troloo9193

Hardee's sucks. I don't think any of these ads help or hurt the business any more than it's really awful food, bad service and dirty store do.

I haven't spent a dime in a Hardee's since I was a kid and it was the only place to hand out.

My kids have never been in a Hardees restaurant.

Why don't they just fade away???

No love for A-holes?

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 12:48 — ssssss

I think that the problem Boddie-Noell Enterprises had with the ad is the part where the woman says "I don't like the A-holes".

Don't pin this on conservatives

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 12:36 — vance203

"Another Hardee's promotion has been rejected as too racy for North Carolina's conservative consumers." Why conservative? I'm more conservative than most but thought it was funny as heck. Granted, my eyes got wide and my mouth dropped at the thought of actually hearing the dialogue on my TV in NC, but don't blame all of us (conservatives).

conservatives

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 13:11 — landshark

I agree. I haven't seen the add but it sounds a little over top to me. The label I have been given is Liberal.

What isn't wrong with Hardees?

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 12:34 — RonB

They appeal to "young, hungry (did they misspell horny?) men" because they are the only group of potential customers who forget just how bad Hardee's food is.

When CKE purchased Hardees, they admitted the food wasn't good when they rolled out the six dollar burger. Problem is, their hired help still can't manage to prepare it proprely, so the last thing you'll see in their TV spots is food.

The PTC and Boddie-Noell didn't seem to mind the last commercial -- a multi-cultural (only in a commercial), non-drinking (only in a non-beer commercial), male-only group yelling and high fiveing when a car passes another car on tv and are "rudely" interrupted by another guy who took the time to prepare food. *That* was OK, as were ads where scantily dressed women not named Paris Hilton ate burgers.

If Boddie-Nowell had any actual desire to remove this filth from the airwaves, they should sever ties with CKE. Or not run other offensive ads. Or sell food they can advertise on its own merits. Yet they don't, which makes them hypocrits.

When faced with competition, they've closed up shop. In Raleigh, the almost home (Rocky Mount) team closed locations on Fayetville Street (Big Easy), Hillsborough (Zaxbys), Western (now the former DQ), Peace (Sunflowers), and Capitol (used car dealership). Those locations could support eating establishments, just not Hardees. The remaining locations are in "where else are you going to go" areas like Gorman/Avent Ferry and New Bern/Trawick. See also: Roses and other Pope-family owned retailers, who also feel the need to push their morality on the rest of us.

Who's pushing whom

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 14:48 — johnboy76122

The only one I see pushing anything is Hardee's. Aren't they the ones who are broadcasting to the masses?

Sell TV to avoid being offended

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 12:23 — thomas_nc

This is a funny ad. People who are offended by this should not watch any TV at all because there's far, far worse out there. This weekend, 40-year-old virgin was on in mid-afternoon and even I was surprised to see what they're letting slide these days.

Lighten up!

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 12:09 — HQueen

I wish people would just lighten up. I think the commercial is assuming. If you don't - then don't eat at Hardees or change the channel. On another note don't these people have anything important to be concerned about?! Seriously.

Thanks BNE and PTC

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 12:00 — ladebakN

Thanks for protecting us from lowered standards. Some of us don't find subtle vulgarity amusing.

why conservatives?

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 11:59 — jngreene33

Boddie-Noell can do what they want. Why is this being written up as an issue involving conservatives? Are people mad at economic conservatives, social conservatives, or religious conservatives, or do those who think this is a big deal make any such distinctions at all? Should we assume that this means only liberals are in favor of disgusting, vulgar TV that objectifies women and can't be creative without making a sexual reference?

If that's the qualification for being a conservative; taking minor steps to get less of this junk on the airways (is anyone really having trouble finding smut if they want it these days?), then sign me up. I would personally like kids to be able to watch TV for 5 minutes (for example, a sporting event) without being subjected to sexual innuendo and vulgar jokes.

What's the big deal

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 11:55 — nclawkid

The commercial's funny. I'm still not going to eat at Hardees because their food is overpriced and underwhelming.But I got a good giggle from watching the spot.Hey, maybe this was their plain all the while. Make some "controversial" commercials, stir up the press, get tons of free press, and never have to spend a dime on actual advertising.A lot of North Carolinians need to loosen up.

Flat earth society

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 11:30 — interested860

I wish the flat earth society would just stay home and hide from the real world. They really irritate some of us.
The most obscene thing I've seen Hardee's advertise is their ridiculous monster burger which I think comes with a free
by-pass surgery coupon! Now that is OBSCENE.
Violence is porn. Nakedness is natural. IF you don't want to watch, TURN IT OFF. That's why we have more than one channel.

???

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 11:26 — tonka1960

I can't find a single thing offensive in that ad. It's pretty funny. I chuckled. There's so many more important things going on in the world for people to get worked-up over, than a silly fast-food commercial.

Oh... and, I'm a 48-year-old woman. Go figure.

Women as Victims of Hardees' Commercials

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 11:15 — Inanho

It is truly amazing to me that any corporation or advertising agency would subject the public to the kind of commercials that Hardees' management company has aired for the last decade or more. Many commercials prior to the distasteful "biscuit hole" one have targeted the lowest common denominator of male sensibilities. Jenna Patroff says that the ads are aimed at Hardee's "target audience of Young, Hungry Guys," that "We do not aim to exclude or offend any other group with our efforts, but merely to appeal and amuse a very specific audience." It's ironic to me that the spokesperson is a woman who certainly has no sense of the history of subjagation of, sexual objectification, and domestic abuse against women in this country. When, as a society, we have commercials entering our home that are totally insensitive to the safety and wellbeing of women through an act to "appeal and amuse" "young, hungry guys," then we are going down a path of no return. While I agree that, if we don't like their ads, then you can choose not to buy from Hardees, AND I don't believe in censorship of speech in any form, we all must stand up for what is right. We cannot return to a period of our history when women were seen as second-class citizens and sexual objects, I don't care what some "young, hungry guys" are amused by today!

So who's to blame?

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 12:12 — thomas_nc

Women get paid, i.e. rent their scantily clad bodies to Hardees for public display. Until women like Paris Hilton and the Hardees Hotties quit doing that, I will have a hard time blaming a corporation or an ad agency for the objectification of women. The argument can also be made that men are being exploited based on their natural responses to seeing attractive women.

This is as good as when

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 11:14 — adummy

This is as good as when Miller Genuine Draft Lite was first advertised as GD Lite!

I applaud BNE for their

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 10:17 — AgentPierce

I applaud BNE for their decision not to run the ads. That my standards of public propriety might differ from others does not bother me in the slightest.

In fact, I think I'll call BNE and tell them I concur .... and then go have lunch at Hardees'.

Where are all the Hardees?

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 10:08 — stevemichaels

Having spent my life in NC (46 years) we used to joke how every town in NC had a Hardees - especially in rural NC. Now it getting harder and harder to find a Hardees - does anyone know of how many Hardees have been closed in the Wake county area? I can think of at least 8.

Ads?

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 09:47 — willncsu

I have DVR.

Parents Television Council - what a joke

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 09:38 — davesparky

The PTC is just a random group of nutty conservatives who want almost every show taken off the air. They represent a small portion of the population yet try to get their "wisdom" foreced on everyone else.

Let them show the ads, if people don't like them, they won't go to Hardees.........it's amazing how that works. We don't need the PTC to dictate what is "appropriate" for us.

PTC comment

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 15:44 — nadiamakov

I agree totally vis a vis these ultra conservative nut cases. When they see a commercial they don't like.....just change the channel

But why should I change the

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 23:16 — chfdcpt

But why should I change the channel, when I can push my morality on you and others? After all, it is for the sake of the children!!!

Of course, it would be just as easy for a parent to be around when their chilren are watching TV so they can explain things to them. Mmm, what a concept, parental responsibility.

Hardee's AD

Wed, 07/22/2009 - 15:11 — fratman1906

Wow! CKE develops advertisement that offends some and pleases others; BNE declines to air it; PTC weighs in with a minority opinion and life goes on in America. The First Amendment lives, and everyone gets his/her say. This is what keeps America great.

Hardee's ads too much for NC

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