Hardee’s® restaurants owned and operated by franchisee Boddie-Noell Enterprises kick off the “Stars for Troops” fundraiser this week to support charities that serve military families and veterans. The fundraiser allows customers to donate in exchange for special discounts on Hardee’s menu items.

The “Stars for Troops” fundraiser will be a three-week in-restaurant campaign and will benefit two military charities, Homes for Our Troops and USA Cares.

Customers can contribute $1 to receive a cut-out star which entitles the buyer to receive a special coupon sheet with discounts valued at more than $10 on Hardee’s menu items. The stars will display customers’ names and will decorate the walls of Hardee’s restaurants. All proceeds from the sales of the stars will go directly to the two chosen charities.

All 335 Hardee’s restaurants across North Carolina, Virginia, Kentucky and South Carolina operated by Boddie-Noell Enterprises, the largest Hardee’s franchisee in the U.S., will participate in the fundraiser’s inaugural year.

Homes for Our Troops is a national non-profit organization founded in 2004 that supports injured veterans by raising donations of money, building materials and professional labor in order to build homes that allow veterans to live as independently and comfortably as possible. The homes provided by Homes for Our Troops are given to veterans at no cost.

USA Cares provides financial and advocacy assistance to U.S. military personnel, veterans and their families. USA Cares believes in providing grants, not loans, in order to solve problems without prolonging them. Since 2003, USA Cares has responded to over 28,000 requests for assistance with more than $7,700,000 in grants.

“The men and women of the military and their families give so much to our country,” said Jerry Allsbrook, chief marketing officer for Boddie-Noell Enterprises. “We’re excited to participate in the “Stars for Troops” program and honor all of their hard work and sacrifices.”